New Travel Rules for UK Drivers Heading Abroad

Charlie Travel 4 May 2025 | | 0

If you're planning to drive in Spain, France, or Italy this summer, be aware of a new mandatory car equipment rule.

The three countries have issued a joint travel alert aimed at foreign drivers, including those from the UK, just as the busy holiday season begins.

To improve road safety and manage the huge number of tourists expected this year, all drivers using personal or rental cars must carry specific safety items. These rules apply across all three countries, and failure to follow them can result in on-the-spot fines, driving restrictions, or even vehicle seizure.

What You Must Carry in Your Vehicle

All drivers must now have the following items in their cars:

High-visibility reflective vests – one per passenger, stored inside the car (not in the trunk)
Warning triangles – one in Spain and Italy, two in France
Headlight beam deflectors – needed for UK cars to adjust headlights for driving on the right
UK sticker – or UK letters on the number plate
Spare bulbs – especially for France and Italy
Breathalyzer kit – required in France

France: Extra Rules and Environmental Zones

France has some of the strictest rules.

Drivers must:

Have one reflective vest per person, accessible inside the car
Carry two warning triangles
Have a breathalyzer kit (though fines for missing it are currently suspended)
Use beam deflectors and carry spare bulbs
Display a UK sticker (unless your plate includes the UK flag)

Low-emission zones (ZFE) are also in effect in over 12 French cities. You’ll need a Crit’Air sticker that shows your vehicle’s emission level. Driving without it could result in fines of up to €135.

Spain: Fines for Missing Gear and Expanding Green Zones

In Spain, police are focusing on the Mediterranean coast and cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Required items include:

One reflective jacket (must be worn when leaving the car on a highway)
One warning triangle
Beam deflectors for UK cars
UK sticker or plate with UK symbol

Spain also has Low Emission Zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones). In places like Madrid and Barcelona, tourists must register their vehicles and display eco-badges to avoid fines from traffic cameras.

Italy: Tourist Drivers Treated Like Locals

Italy enforces similar rules, especially in regions like Tuscany, Lombardy, and along the Amalfi Coast.

Tourists must have:

One reflective jacket
One warning triangle
Beam deflectors
UK sticker
Spare bulbs (recommended)

Italy also has ZTLs (restricted traffic zones) in most cities. These areas are monitored by cameras, and driving through them without permission can lead to heavy fines.

The warning comes as the UK’s May Bank Holiday kicks off a wave of travel across Europe.

Many travellers rent cars or take road trips, making this new rule especially relevant.

Car Rentals: What UK Tourists Should Do

If you're renting a car abroad, don’t assume it comes with all the required safety gear. Ask the rental company to confirm:

Reflective jackets and warning triangles are included
Headlights meet local requirements
Breathalyzer kits are provided (France only)
The vehicle is registered for low-emission or ZTL zones

You are legally responsible for ensuring the vehicle is compliant, even if the rental agency hasn’t equipped it properly.

UK Government Advice

The UK Foreign Office urges travellers to follow local driving laws in Europe. Failure to do so could affect your travel insurance, especially if you’re involved in an accident or roadside emergency.

Make sure you have:

Your UK driving license (and international permit, if needed)
Vehicle registration (V5C or rental agreement)
Proof of insurance (a green card isn’t required but is recommended)

This mandatory car rule is part of a wider push by Spain, France, and Italy to improve road safety, reduce pollution, and manage the surge in tourist traffic.

Before you go:

Double-check the driving laws in each country
Make sure your car or rental vehicle has all required items
Apply for low-emission or ZTL permits ahead of time
Keep your insurance documents handy

Ignoring these rules could lead to delays, fines, and added stress—not what you want during your summer holiday.

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