Are you planning a road trip around the world, to explore countries you’re unfamiliar with?
If so, you could be unknowingly breaking the law simply for using your car as you would normally.
Many places around the world have some unusual rules for the road – and one capital city even has locals in zebra costumes controlling traffic.
From the country where road rage could land you a fine, to the city with Car Free Days, these are the driving rules you need to know before loading up your car.
Community groups can catch you speeding in France
While most countries simply need to watch out for police and speed cameras, there are also local community groups to contend with in France.
These volunteer groups ‘use speed guns in an attempt to deter motorists from speeding,’ explains the RAC.
Although this can happen in the UK too, the car insurance company warns: ‘Unlike in the UK, the French police can then issue fines or worse on the back of the community reports – so stay on the right side of the law and avoid an unwanted ticket in the post!’
MailOnline Travel reveals some of the world’s most unusual road rules. The RAC warns that it’s illegal to ‘run out of fuel’ on one of Germany’s autobahns (pictured)
Top up your petrol before driving on Germany’s autobahns
Germany famously has motorways without speed limits, known as autobahns, on which it’s illegal to stop unnecessarily.
For this reason, the RAC explains, ‘you should never run out of fuel’ while driving along one, as pulling over because of it would be breaking the law.
The road experts also warn that there are actually sometimes speed limits on the autobahns, so ‘you’ll need to keep your eyes peeled for limits on 30 per cent of the network’.
Check your number plate in Ecuador
Ecuador has one of the highest rates of road accidents in Latin America ‘due to careless driving, speeding, and badly maintained vehicles’, according to The UK Government.
There are some rules in place to tackle this issue, with some cities in Ecuador banning vehicles with Ecuadorean number plates from driving on certain days or at peak times.
The system is based on the ‘last digits of a car’s registration plate’, so it’s best to check yours before you drive in the South American country, or you ‘could be fined’.
Driving off marked roads is illegal in Iceland (pictured) in order to protect ‘fragile ecosystems and special areas’
Cows rule the roads of India
Although predominately used in farming in the UK, the cow is a revered animal in Hinduism and is considered sacred in many areas of India.
Cows often roam free on the streets in India (pictured) and the animal is considered sacred. The UK Government warns that an accident involving a cow could ‘potentially lead to violence’
They can often be seen roaming free on the streets throughout the country, with cars always stopping for them to cross, bringing traffic to a complete standstill.
The UK Government urges tourist drivers to follow the locals’ suit, as ‘accidents involving cows can draw crowds and potentially lead to violence’.
Only drive a white car in Turkmenistan
If you’re heading to Turkmenistan by car, make sure your vehicle isn’t painted black – or any colour other than white, for that matter.
According to AutoTurkmen, many places around the country, especially the capital Ashgabat (pictured), have banned non-white vehicles, thanks to President Berdimuhamedow’s ‘superstitious beliefs and his vision for a city adorned with white vehicles’
According to AutoTurkmen, many places around the country, especially the capital Ashgabat, have banned non-white vehicles, thanks to President Berdimuhamedow’s ‘superstitious beliefs and his vision for a city adorned with white vehicles.’
The Turkish car marketplace adds the ban ‘has led to impoundments and demands for car owners to repaint their vehicles in white or face fines’.
Don’t get angry in Qatar
‘Road rage’ is a very regular feeling for drivers, no matter where in the world you live.
But, in Qatar, getting angry on the roads could lead to fines, imprisonment, deportation, or even a ban from the country.
The UK Government warns: ‘Even minor expressions of “road rage” like rude gestures can attract significant penalties.’
Don’t splash pedestrians in Japan
If you’ve ever been walking along the road on a rainy day, and splashed by a car speeding through a puddle, you’ll know how frustrating it can be.
In Japan (pictured), it’s not only impolite to splash a pedestrian while driving, but it’s also ‘a serious violation’ of the Road Traffic Act, explains Okaya International Centre
In Japan, it’s not only impolite to splash a pedestrian while driving, but it’s also ‘a serious violation’ of the Road Traffic Act, explains Okaya International Centre.
Drivers who do so could even face a (small) fine of 7,000 yen/£37/$46.
Don’t wash the car on Sundays in Switzerland
Sunday is a day of rest for many Christian countries, but Switzerland takes this rule seriously.
You aren’t even allowed to wash your car on that day, due to the noise pollution it could cause, according to Sixt.
The car rental company adds: ‘Germany had the same law but modified it to allow car washing on Sundays after midday (so your church going time is not disturbed).’
In the Netherlands (pictured), cycling is one of the most popular methods of transport, and bikes tend to have the right of way over cars
In the USA, some states – including California (pictured) – have a carpool lane system which cars with multiple occupants can use to bypass traffic, to ‘help ease congestion’
‘Zebras’ control the traffic in Bolivia
One of the more bizarre rules comes from the Bolivian capital, La Paz, where a group of residents dressed up as zebras – known as ‘Cebritas’ – control the traffic.
One of the more bizarre rules comes from the Bolivian capital, La Paz, where a group of residents dressed up as zebras – known as ‘Cebritas’ – control the traffic, as pictured
According to Atlas Obscura, the government started to deploy these ‘zebras’ in the early 2000s, ‘when La Paz’s road safety hit an all-time low.
In some cases, these ‘zebras’ will even playfully throw themselves on the bonnet of a car that edges over a boundary at a traffic light.
Lock your car in Australia
In most places around the world, it’s illegal for someone to break into a car.
But, in many parts of Australia, you’re also breaking the law if you leave your car unlocked or with its windows down, explains The Canberra Times.
This is a rule that’s intended to lower car thefts.
Don’t drive on Sundays in Rwanda
In the Rwandan capital, Kigali, cars are banned on the first and third Sunday of every month, as part of an effort to reduce pollution in the city centre and encourage walking and cycling.
The scheme is known as Kigali Car Free Day.
