Motorway Speed Limits

[*UPDATED*]

In the UK, the motorway speed limit of 70Mph is just right, considering the fact that if you were in Germany, the speed limit for the auto-ban (if this is the correct spelling) is 100Mph or more, a racer’s dream.

I have just compiled a guide on motorway speed limits and rules and regulations across Europe.

Country Motorway
Austria:130 kph
Belgium:120 kph
France: 130 kph
Germany:none unless shown
Italy:130 kph
Luxembourg:120 kph
Netherlands:120/110 kph
Spain:120 kph
Switzerland:120 kph

Open Road
100 kph
90 kph
110 (90 when wet)
100 kph
90 kph
90 kph
80 kph
100 kph
80 kph

Town
50 kph
50 kph
50 kph
50 kph
50 kph
60 kph
50 kph
60 kph
50 kph

Alcohol Limit
??
0.5
0.5
0.5
0.8
??
0.5
0.8
0.8

Driving Licences; Minimum Ages; Children and seat belts.
In all countries a full UK driving licence is required, where the minimum age for driving is 17. As in the UK, seat belts should be worn front and rear. Below are the regulations relating to countries, which differ from those in the UK.

Austria:
EC model format UK Licences (i.e. pink or pink/green) accepted. Old style green licences are only accepted if accompanied by an identity document with a photograph e.g. passport. The minimum age for driving in Austria is 18. Children under 12 are forbidden to travel in the front seat without a child restraint in Austria.

France: The minimum age for driving is 18. Children under 10 are forbidden to travel in the front seat.
Germany: The minimum age for driving is 17. Children under 12, (or less than 1.50m in height), are not allowed to travel in the front seat without a child restraint in Germany.

Italy: Holders of old style green licences require an International Driving Permit when driving any vehicle in Italy. Green style licences can be exchanged by completing DVLA form D1 from any post office. Once again, the minimum age for driving is 18.

Luxembourg: The minimum age is 18.
The Netherlands: The minimum age is 18. Children under 3 must travel in the rear seat with a safety system adapted to their size. Children between 3-12 may travel in the front if they are in a special safety seat.

Spain: EC model format UK licences (i.e. pink or pink/green) accepted. Holders of old style green licences require an international Driving Permit when driving any vehicle in Spain. Green style licences can be exchanged by completing DVLA form D1 from any post office. Driver's minimum age 18.

Switzerland: The minimum age is 18. Children under 7 are forbidden to travel in the front seat without a child restraint.

Motorway Tolls

Pay-as-you-go tolls are charged on most motorways in France, Spain, and Italy. Some examples for France are shown below. Tolls in Italy are roughly comparable for similar distances. Spain is about half as expensive. You can pay by credit card - you just hand over the card, nothing to sign and often no receipt unless you request one. On many motorways you can use the automatic booths if they display a Carte bleu sign - insert your card, wait for it to be returned and drive off. Otherwise make sure you have plenty of change available so you can use the automatic booths, although manual booths are always able to provide change.

Calais to Paris - about £12
Calais to Marseilles - about £42
Paris to Lyons - about £19
Paris to Nice - about £40
Paris to Bordeaux - about £28
Paris to Geneva - about £24
Caen to Paris - about £8
Nantes to Bordeaux - about £13
Mont Blanc Tunnel - about £11 single, £14 return - NOW CLOSED - opening date not advised.

Tolls are also charged in Switzerland and Austria for driving on the motorways. You buy a sticker at the border. In Switzerland this costs 40 Swiss Francs for the current year plus January in the next year, and in Austria 70 schillings for 1 week or 150 schillings for 2 months.