Rules for Driving Abroad
- All automobiles are manufactured with either left-hand drive (LHD) or right-hand drive (RHD) systems, and all countries have elected to drive on the left side or the right side of the road, which is referred to as either left-hand traffic (LHT) or right-hand traffic (RHT). Americans are accustomed to RHT, but there are many popular destinations that have LHT, including the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, India, Pakistan, Japan and South Africa. And although they are few in number, there are also countries where drivers must change lanes when passing from one province into the next. Before driving abroad, be sure to know which side of the road the vehicle should be on.
- Before driving in a foreign country, it is a good idea to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP) and then keep both it and your U.S. driver's license with you at all times while traveling, as many countries do not recognize licenses that were issued elsewhere. For example, Greece requires all foreign drivers to possess an IDP, and Italy requires all foreign drivers to possess either an IDP or an Italian translation of their license issued by the U.S. Consulate. Americans may obtain an IDP at AAA locations throughout the United States.
- Automobile insurance bought in the U.S. does not usually cover an individual abroad, so it's a good idea to request auto insurance when renting a car overseas. Although most car rental companies provide insurance, sometimes the required levels of coverage are minimal, so it would be wise to be familiar with the level of coverage your personal automobile is covered under and to consider getting at least that same level of coverage--if not more--for your rental car. If driving from the U.S. to a neighboring country, such as Canada or Mexico, your auto insurance policy may still apply. But it may or may not meet that country's minimum requirements. Check to see what levels of coverage you'll need, and then purchase an additional policy in order to drive legally in that country.
- Be sure you understand when and if your vehicle is permitted to be on the highways in a foreign country. In an effort to reduce traffic congestion, some countries have laws that limit the number of vehicles on certain highways, or in certain lanes, at peak travel times. For example, each vehicle in Mexico City is assigned a specific day of the week on which it is forbidden from traveling certain highways and roads during rush hours. Also, there are some countries that require drivers to obtain special permits--rather than to pay tolls, like in the U.S--in order to travel certain roads. Additionally, when driving on the left side of the road, remember that faster traffic moves on the right, slower traffic moves on the left and most exits will be on the left.
- Research which actions may be considered traffic violations in the country in which you will be driving. Know the country's minimum and maximum driving ages. Also, some countries' traffic laws require drivers to honk the car horn or flash their headlights before going around sharp corners or passing other vehicles; try to learn which additional courtesies may, in fact, actually be required by law. Remember that the penalties for driving drunk in many foreign countries are very harsh, often much harsher than those in the U.S. And to learn more about road safety in any particular country, visit the U.S. Department of State's website, where you can find information specific to every country in the world. Or request further information from a foreign embassy or a tourism agency.