The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has issued a warning to UK holidaymakers planning to drive abroad
(Image: d3sign via Getty Images)
The Foreign Office has given a warning to UK holidaymakers planning to drive abroad, saying they must have six specific items in their vehicles.
If you’re planning on hitting the roads of Luxembourg, it’s crucial to be aware that local authorities are strict when it comes to enforcing road traffic laws.
Even minor infractions can lead to fines. A UK photocard driving licence is valid for use in Luxembourg for up to one year.
However, if you hold a paper driving licence, you may need to upgrade to a photocard licence or secure the appropriate version of the international driving permit (IDP).
The legal age to drive a car is 18. If you become a resident of Luxembourg, your UK licence must be converted into a Luxembourg licence within a year.
Rental car companies often impose stricter requirements on their customers, such as a minimum of one year’s driving experience, a higher minimum age, and possession of an IDP, reports Chronicle Live.
Failure to carry the following documents in your vehicle could result in a fine: driving licence, vehicle registration document, car insurance certificate, road tax and MOT certificate.
It’s recommended to keep your passport with you as it’s quite easy to accidentally cross into neighbouring countries.
Luxembourg takes a tough stance on drink-driving. The blood alcohol limit for experienced drivers is 0.05% (compared to England’s 0.08%).
New drivers should note that the alcohol limit for driving in their first two years is just 0.02%. Overstepping this boundary may result in a fine or even imprisonment.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has released a travel warning about the need for the right tyres during winter.
Stressing on the point, they said: “Your vehicle must have regulation winter tyres if you drive in winter conditions such as black ice, packed snow, slush, ice sheets or frost.
“You must add winter tyres or all-weather tyres marked with ‘M.S.’, ‘M+S’, ‘ MandS ‘ or the alpine symbol on all wheels of the vehicle.”
They emphasised that no driver is exempt: “All drivers must follow these regulations, regardless of their vehicle’s country of registration. You will get a fine if you do not have the correct tyres.”