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andorra

Non-toll Mountain Passes

  • N22's Envalira Pass, L'Hospitalet to Andorra. At 2,407 meters, this is the highest pass in the Pyrénées; it's closed occasionally in the winter. Maximum grade is 12.4 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); maximum vehicle height is 3.56 meters (11.5 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • Fuel

    Unleaded gasoline is known as either essence sans plomb or gasolina sin plomb. Diesel fuel is known as diesel. LPG is known as Gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL). Fuel is much cheaper in Andorra than in France or Spain.

    Driving

    Snow tires or chains are essential in the winter. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent. Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. Speed limits: 40 km/h (25 mph) in built-up areas, 70 km/h (44 mph) outside built-up areas. Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. Other regulations approximate those of France.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

    Shops

    Open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

    National Holidays

    Third Sat in July; last Sun in July and following Mon and Tues; July 25, 26, 27; first Sat in Aug, and following Sun and Mon; Aug 15, 16, 17; Sep 8, 16, 17.

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 17; Fire and Ambulance, tel. 18. Automobil Club d'Andorra, FIA member, Babet Camp 4, Andorra-la-Vella, tel. 20 8 90.

    austria

    Customs

    Persons at least 18 years of age who arrive from other European countries may import the following free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of wine and 1 liter of spirits, 1 bottle of toilet water (about 300 milliliter size), and 50 milliliters of perfume. Persons arriving directly from non-European points may import twice the above free of duty. You may import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

    License

    Non Europeans must carry an International Driving Permit.

    Equipment

    You must carry a warning triangle in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. All drivers must carry a first aid kit in or on their vehicle. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Tolls

    The word for toll is Mautstelle. To use expressways other than the A13 Brenner, A9 Pyhrn, A10 Tauren, and S16 Arlberg Tunnel you must purchase and display on your vehicle a vignette. (To use those expressways listed above, however, you simply pay their tolls—although said vignette does entitle you to a 15 percent discount.) Choose from 10-day, 2-month, and annual vignettes. They are sold at entry points onto the expressway system (look for the sign reading "Verkaufen"), at border crossings, fuel stations and post offices, and they cost as follows:

    
                                 10-day    2-month   annual
    car                       EUR7.80    21.80      72.60
    motorcycle                  4.30    10.90      29.00
    

    The fine for not displaying such disc when using a corresponding
    expressway is EUR220 for cars, EUR110 for motorcycles
    .

    The major Austrian toll companies sell multiple-journey passes which reduce the cost of the average journey. An additional charge may be tacked on per person if you have more than two people traveling; the charge for children is lower or not applied. Credit cards are not accepted.

    If, however, your vehicle weighs over 3.5 tons (i.e. 3500 kg), you must buy a "GO-Box" rather than a vignette. About the size of your palm, a GO-Box initially costs EUR50 and is meant to be affixed to the inside of the windscreen. These devices are sold at most fuel stations on major roads approaching Austria. (In Germany, look for signs reading "GO Vertrieb.") The initial EUR50 is reduced as the vehicle passes certain control points. When this credit gets low, the GO-box emits a warning signal. You can recharge the GO-Box in EUR50 increments only. The fine for traveling said expressways without a charged Go-Box is EUR220.

    Toll Roads and Passes:

  • A10 from Salzburg to Carinthia: EUR14 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during May through October, EUR9 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during November through April, EUR3 for a trailer, EUR8 for a motorcycle.
  • A13/A22's Brenner Pass from the Tyrol to Italy: EUR10 for car, van or caravan having up to 9 seats; EUR13 for a car towing a trailer or caravan; EUR8 for a motorcycle.
  • B107's Grossglockner Pass from Bruck to Lienz: EUR26 for a car, EUR32 for a caravan or car with trailer, EUR17 for a motorcycle. 2505 meters; closed from late October to early May; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); extremely scenic; OK for powerful caravans.
  • B186/SS44B's Timmelsjoch Pass from Ötz to Merano, Italy: EUR10 for a car single, EUR15 for a car return, EUR6 for a motorcycle single, EUR10 for a motorcycle return. 2509 meters; closed from early October to late June; maximum grade is 14.3 percent, minimum width is 3.72 meters (12 ft.); very difficult; only open to private cars not towing trailers or caravans.
  • B188's Silvretta/Bielerhöhe Pass from Bludenz to Landeck: EUR3.50 per person in car, EUR5 for same day return, EUR1.50 for a child aged 6 to 16, free for a child under 6, EUR10 for a caravan (no trailers permitted), EUR6 for a motorcycle. 2032 meters; closed from late October to early June; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); 32 hairpin turns; no caravans allowed.
  • B108 Felber Tauern road from Kitzbühel to the East Tyrol: EUR14 for a car during the summer, EUR8 for a car during the winter, EUR3 for a trailer, EUR7.50 for a motorcycle.
  • B165's Gerlos Platte Pass, Zell am Ziller to Mittersill. EUR7 for a car with or without trailer, EUR4 for motorcycle. 1627 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); caravans are not allowed.
  • Several tunnels require tolls, but vehicles displaying the expressway disc get a 15 percent discount:

  • A9's Bosruck Tunnel between Spital am Pyhrn and Selzthal: 5.5 km long, EUR6 for a car or van having up to 9 seats, EUR2 for a trailer, EUR4.50 for a motorcycle.
  • A9's Gleinalm Tunnel between St. Michael and Friesach: 8.3 km long, EUR10 for a car or van having up to 9 seats, EUR2 for a trailer, EUR7.50 for a motorcycle.
  • A10's Katschberg Tunnel between Salzburg and Carinthia: 5.4 km long, EUR8 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during May through October, EUR5 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during November through April, EUR1.50 for a trailer, EUR4 for a motorcycle.
  • A10's Radstädter Tunnel between Salzburg and Carinthia: 6.5 km long, EUR8 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during May through October, EUR5 for a car or van having up to 9 seats and traveling during November through April, EUR1.50 for a trailer, EUR4 for a motorcycle.
  • A11's Karawanken Tunnel runs between Austria and Slovenia, linking St. Jakob and Jesenice: EUR7 for a car whose height as measured vertically from the front axle is less than 1.3 meters, EUR10 for a car towing a trailer or caravan, EUR10 for a caravan, EUR7 for a motorcycle.
  • S16's Arlberg Tunnel south of the Arlberg Pass: 14 km long, EUR11 for car, van or caravan having up to 9 seats; EUR16 for a car towing a trailer or caravan; EUR7.50 for motorcycles. Usually open all year. When it is closed, however, vehicles and trailers can use the rail tunnel between Langen and St. Anton. (Make reservations 3 hours in advance: Langen, tel. 05582 201; St. Anton, tel. 05446 2242).
  • B167-B105's Tauern Rail Tunnel conveys vehicles between Bockstein and Mallnitz. As many as 47 trains make the 10 minute journey each day. Vehicles must be loaded at least 30 minutes prior to departure. EUR14 for cars, EUR6 for a trailer, EUR8 for a motorcycle.
  • Non-toll Mountain Passes

    Non-toll mountain passes tend to be much more difficult to negotiate than the passes which charge a toll. If you're driving a vehicle, such as a caravan, that is not allowed on or recommended for some of the following passes, or if you want to travel quickly across or through the mountains, note that a mountain pass or tunnel which charges a toll tends to be close by.

  • B20's Annaberg Pass, St. Polten to Mariazell. 976 meters; usually open in the winter; maximum grade is 12.4 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; lightly traveled; OK for caravans.
  • B82's Seeberg Pass, Völkermarkt to Ljubljana, Slovenia. 1218 meters; usually open in the winter; maximum grade is 12.4 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); good alternative to the Loibl and Wurzen passes; not recommended for caravans.
  • B95's Turracher Höhe Pass, Predlitz to Feldkirchen. 1762 meters; usually open in the winter; maximum grade is 22.2 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • B99's Katschberg Pass, Spittal to Radstadt. 1640 meters; usually open in the winter; maximum grade is 20 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • B99's Radstädter-Tauern Pass, Radstädter to Spittal. 1740 meters; occasionally closed from January to March; maximum grade is 16.6 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • B109's Wurzen Pass, Villach to Kranjska Gora, Slovenia. 1072 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 18.2 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); no caravans allowed; very difficult for other vehicles.
  • B110/SS52B's Plöcken Pass from Kötschach-Mauthen to Tolmezzo, Italy. 1363 meters; occasionally closed during December to April; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 4.8 meters (16 ft.); on summer weekends expect delays resulting from heavy traffic; marginally negotiable by caravans.
  • B138's Pyhrn Pass, Windischgarsten to Liezen. 945 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • B145's Pötschen Pass, Bad Ischl to Bad Aussee. 972 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 7.1 meters (23 ft.); good views of the Dachstein; OK for caravans.
  • B161's Thurn Pass, Kitzbühel to Mittersill. 1275 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • B181/B307's Aachen Pass, Jenbach to Tegernsee, Germany. 941 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 5.9 meters (19 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
  • B182/SS12's Brenner Pass, Innsbruck to Bolzano, Italy. 1375 meters; usually open in winter; tire chains are sometimes necessary in winter; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; busiest transalpine pass; closed to vehicles towing anything but a luggage trailer; not recommended for caravans.
  • B197's Arlberg Pass, Feldkirch to Innsbruck. 1793 meters; occasionally closed from December to April; maximum grade is 13.3 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; closed to vehicles that are towing other vehicles.
  • B198's Flexen Pass, Stuben to Reutte. 1772 meters; usually open but the road north of the pass, from Lech to Warth, is usually closed November through April; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5.9 meters (18 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
  • B200's Hochtannberg Pass, Egg to Warth. 1679 meters; occasionally closed from late December to late March; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • B306's Semmering Pass, Gloggnitz to Mürzzuschlag. 984 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 6 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • B314's Fern Pass, Imst to Reutte. 1210 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • B315/SS40's Resia Pass, Landeck to Malles, Italy. 1504 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • Road Signs

    Abblendlicht             Dipped headlights
    Abstand halten           Maintain distance
    Alle Richtungen          All directions
    Altstadt                 Oldtown
    Anfang                   Start, beginning
    An geraden Tagen         On even days (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
    An ungeraden Tagen       On odd days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
    An Sonn- und Feiertagen  On Sundays and holidays
    Anleiger Frei            Certain permits void this restriction
    Anschluß                 Junction
    Anwohner Frei            Residents are free of this restriction
    Auf dem Seitenstreifen   On the shoulder
    Ausfahrt                 Exit
    Autobahndreieck          Autobahn "T" junction
    Autobahnkreuz            Autobahn junction
    Bauarbeiten              Roadworks
    Baustelle                Roadworks
    Baustellenfahrzeuge frei Construction vehicles only
    Baustofflagerung         Roadwork equipment
    Bei Nässe                During wet conditions
    Belegt                   Full
    Besetzt                  Full
    Bitte Sauberhalten       Please keep this a clean place
    Bis                      Until
    Centrum                  City Center
    Dauer                    Duration
    Durchfahrt verboten      No through traffic
    Einbahnstraße            One-way street
    Einfahrt                 Entrance
    Einordnen                Enter the lane, merge
    Einsatzfahrzeuge frei    Operations vehicles only
    Ende                     End
    Fahrbahnwechsel          Change lanes
    Fahrtrichtung            Direction of travel  
    Frei                     Free, permitted
    Freiefahrt               Road is clear
    Frostchäden              Frost damage
    Fußgänger                Pedestrian
    Eigen                    Own                
    Gasse                    Lane
    Gefahr/gefährlich        Danger, risk
    Gesamte                  Entire
    Glatteisgefahr           Icy road
    Grenze                   Border
    Grenze Kontrolle         Customs inspection
    Halt                     Stop
    Haltestelle              Bus/tram stop
    Keine, Kein              No
    Keine einfahrt           No entry
    Keine mofas              No mopeds
    Kfz.                     Motor vehicle
    Kraftfahrzeugwerkstatt   Motor vehicle repair shop
    Krankenfahrzeuge frei    Ambulances only
    Kreuzung                 Intersection
    Land- und forstwirt-
      schaftlicher Verker
      frei                   Agricultural and forestry vehicles only
    Landschafts Schutzgebiet No parking
    Langsam fahren           Drive slowly
    Licht einschalten        Turn on lights
    Lieferverkehr frei       Delivery vehicles only
    Linienverkehr frei       Scheduled transit vehicles only
    Links einbiegen          Turn left
    Lösen                    Take
    Lkw.                     Heavy trucks
    Mittwoche                Wednesdays
    Nur                      Only
    Nur mit Parkschein       Only with a parking permit ticket
    Parkhaus                 Parking garage
    Parkplatz                Parking lot
    Parkscheibe              Parking disc
    Parkschein               Parking permit ticket
    Parkscheinautomat        Parking permit ticket machine
    Parkuhr                  Parking meter
    Pkw.                     Private/passenger vehicles
    Polizei                  Police 
    Radweg kreutz            Bicycle-path crossing
    Raststätte               Service area
    Rechts einbiegen         Turn right
    Rechts fahren            Keep right
    Rollsplitt               Loose Material
    Sackgasse                Dead end, cul-de-sac
    Schlechte Wegstrecke     Bad section of road
    Schulbus                 School bus
    Schülerlotse             School crossing guard
    Seitenstreifen nicht 
      befahrbar              Do not use shoulder
    Sperrgebeit              Restricted area
    Sperrung                 Closure
    Spur                     Traffic lane
    Stadtzcentrum            Town center
    Stadmitte                Town center
    Stau                     Slow traffic;drive with care
    Straße                   Street
    Straßenbahn              Streetcar
    Straßenschäden           Road damage
    Streugut                 Road salt/sand
    Stunde(n)                Hour(s)            
    Tankstelle               Fuel station
    Überholen                Passing
    Überholen verboten       No passing
    Umleitung                Detour
    Unfall                   Accident; drive with care
    Verboten                 Prohibited
    Verengte Fahrbahn        Road narrows
    Verkehr                  Traffic
    Verkehrshelfer           School crossing guard
    Verschmutzte Fahrbahn    Dirt on the road
    Vorfahrt                 Priority (right of way)
    Vorfahrt beachten        Yield
    Vorfahrtstraße           Priority road
    Vorrang                  Priority (right of way)
    Vorsicht                 Be careful
    Weg                      Way, lane
    Werktags                 Workdays
    Wochentage               Weekdays
    Wohnwagen                Caravan, motorhome, RV
    Zentrum                  Town center
    Zufahrt frei             Access permitted
    
    

    The word bahnhof, whether alone or incorporated in another word, indicates a train station. The expressways are called autobahnen; one step down are the national schnellstraßen highways, followed by the national bundestraßen highways; the provincial landestraßen are next in order, followed by the community roads or gemeindestraßen. The autobahnen are denoted by green signs with white characters. The schnellstraßen are indicated by blue signs with white numbers and are the one type of intersecting road that automatically has priority over all other roads. The bundestraßen are noted by circular yellow signs with black numbers.

    Fuel

    Most fuel stations are open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; stations in large cities may operate 24 hours. Generally, major credit cards are not accepted. Unleaded gasoline is known as blyfrei normal or blyfrei super or blyfrei super plus. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 95, while that of super plus is 98. As for leaded gasoline, it is no longer sold. Diesel goes by its English name. LPG is called autogas.

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat (unless a special seat or seat belt is fitted or unless they're over 1.5 meters tall). The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.049 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas, 130 km/h (81 mph) on expressways, and 100 km/h (62 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer under 750 kg traveling on expressways. If the trailer or caravan is larger, contact a national motoring club for more information. In the Vorarlberg and the Tyrol, maximum speed limit is 80 km/h (50 mph). Expressway speed limits are only 100 km/h (62 mph) on the following: A8 (Innkreis), A9 (Pyhrn), A10 (Tauern), A12 (Inntal), A13 (Brenner), A14 (Rheintal).

    In exception to the priority-on-your-right rule, trams coming from your left have priority. Ascending vehicles have priority on mountain roads.

    Parking lights are not necessary if your vehicle is visible from at least 50 meters away. Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on—night and day. Horns cannot be used in Vienna and are prohibited elsewhere as indicated by signs.

    Passing on the right is allowed only on one-way streets or when passing trams or when passing a vehicle that is indicating a left turn. You are not allowed to cross a solid yellow or white center line. Give warning of your approach by flashing your lights.

    Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. (And, yes, they do accept most major credit cards.) The officer must issue an official receipt. You'll have two weeks to pay. You can request to bring the case before a court instead, but you may be asked to make a security deposit.

    Parking

    Except for when quickly loading and unloading, don't park in the following areas: where you see a sign saying Halten Verboten, where you see crosses on the road in front of houses, within 15 meters of pedestrian crossings or public transportation stops, in front of fuel stations or any entrances, on narrow roads, on the left of one-way streets, or on priority roads outside built-up areas during conditions which significantly reduce visibility. In Vienna it's illegal to park between 8:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. from December 15 to March 31 on roads with tram rails; this rule allows for snow removal. Blue Zones or Blaue Zones exist in many cities and are marked on their boundary by the No Parking sign bearing the word Kurzparkzone (short-term parking) or zone; blue road markings may mark the zone. Fees are associated with Blaue Zones in Baden, Bludenz, Bregenz, Feldkirch, Graz, Innsbruck, Klagenfurt, Krems, Linz, St. Pölten, St. Veit/Glan, Salzburg, Schwaz, Vienna, Villach, Völkermarkt, Wiener Neustadt and Wolfsberg. Tickets for the Blaue Zones in the above cities can be purchased at machines in the parking area or at banks or tobacconists. Unless otherwise indicated by a sign, parking in Blaue Zones is allowed for 3 hours. In the Blaue Zones of other towns, free parking is allowed for 90 minutes. Parking tickets are not required in these other towns, but you must obtain a parking disc free of charge from tobacconists. Even motorcycles need to display such a disc.

    Don't leave an unhitched trailer in a public parking place. In Salzburg, the Tyrol, and Upper Austria, it's illegal to park caravans outside special parking lots or within 500 meters of a lake. And don't park a caravan within 200 meters of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road or on the expressway in Salzburg. Violaters are subject to heavy fines and the towing of the vehicle.

    Camping

    An International Camping Carnet is not required by the campgrounds. Free-camping without appropriate permission is illegal; but note that it's commonly practiced in state forests with permission of the park authorities. Overnight parking and sleeping is allowed at highway rest areas and on most city streets, except in Vienna and except where otherwise posted; but campng equipment may not be set up outside the vehicle.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon or 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 (5:30 p.m. on Thursday).

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday morning till 1:00 p.m.; smaller shops may close from noon to 2:00 p.m.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Epiphany; Easter Mon; Labor Day; Ascension; Whit Monday; Corpus Christi; Assumption; Aug 15; Oct 26; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25, 26.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9660, 15070 and 17640 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 133; Fire, tel. 122; Ambulance, tel. 144. Emergency road service and technical assistance is available from ARBÖ, tel. 123; or ÖAMTC, tel. 120. The local prefix must be added to these numbers. Note that emergency phones are placed along major roads. Österreichischer Automobil Motorrad-und Touring Club (ÖAMTC), FIA and AIT member, Schubertring 1-3, 1010 Vienna 1, tel. 1 711 99, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

    baltic states: estonia, latvia, and lithuania

    Customs

    You may import spare fuel free of duty. Estonia allows the following free of duty: persons aged 18 years or over can bring 1 liter of over 22 percent alcohol by volume, or 2 liters of up to 22 percent alcohol by volume and 2 liters of wine or 10 liters of beer, 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarellos 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, and EUR1000. In addition to the fuel that the standard fuel tank contains and the oil in the engine a traveler is allowed to bring in 10 liters of fuel and 5 liters of engine oil per vehicle. Limits also exist on the value of purchases which may be exported free of duty. Latvia allows the following free of duty: 1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine (for persons over 16 years of age). Up to 100 percent duty can be levied on antiques of artistic value. Lithuania places limits on the amount of amber that can be exported. You are supposed to obtain a permit from the Culture of Ministry and pay duty to export artworks of special value—this process takes about three days. Up to 20 liters of spare fuel may be imported.

    There are two entry points between Poland and Lithuania: Ogrodniki to Lazdijai, and Szyplszki to Kalvarija (on the Swalki to Marijampole Road). Visiting motorists may bypass the lines of goods vehicles which sometimes form and go straight to a Customs check point.

    Insurance

    European Green Card (liability) insurance is accepted in Estonia and Latvia. In Lithuania one must locally buy the liability ("third-party") insurance instead. The shortest term you can buy it for is 15 days; the cost being about USD20 for a typical passenger car.

    Equipment

    Estonia requires motorcyclists and their passengers to wear helmets; non motorcyclists must carry a fire extinguisher in their vehicle, and all drivers are required to carry a first aid kit in or on their vehicle. Estonia and Lithuania require a warning triangle in addition; though this does not apply to motorcyclists.

    Fuel

    A new chain of Neste Oy stations service the M-12 ("Via Baltica") expressway. These eleven stations are located every 150 km, open 24 hours, and accept Visa and Diners Club. Shell and Statoil stations are growing in number as well. Almost every station is now open 24 hours. Neste and UnoX stations are fully automatic, accepting cash and major credit cards; Statoil and Shell stations have shops in the stations. You might encounter tankers selling fuel alongside the main highways. Unleaded fuel is signified by a green pump and/or an "E" in the pricesign. Since central European diesel fuel congeals in winter, a special winter blend with a high congealing point is offered by Neste or Kesoil stations.

    Driving

    Minimum age is 18 years.

    Persons in the front seat must wear seatbelts; and if the car has rear seatbelts, rearseat passengers as well should be fastened in these as. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent in Estonia, 0.05 perecent in Lativa, 0.04 percent in Lithuania. Speed limits are as typically follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, 100 km/h (60 mph) on divided highways; vehicles over 3.5 metric tons (3500 kg) are limited to 70 km/h (44 mph). In summer there are speed limits of up to 110 km/h (68 mph) on selected highways. Fines are levied for relatively minor excesses of these limits.

    In Estonia and Latvia all motorists must use headlights all the time; and except in the case of immediate and extreme danger, it is illegal to use your horn in towns and villages. In Lithuania motorcyclists must use headlights at all times; and all drivers must use headlights at all times from November 1 to March 1.

    In towns the roads are full of potholes. Main roads outside towns are in good condition, but secondary roads are surfaced with gravel or sand. Driving at night is dangerous: locals often use sidelights only, slow-moving vehicles abound, and goods fallen from vehicles often clutter the roads.

    Police in Lativa and Lithuania are currently empowered to collect fines on the spot; but in Latvia you can pay at a bank instead, if you prefer. In Estonia you pay the fine at a bank only.

    Parking

    Due to a rather high incidence of vehicle break-ins, secure parking facilities are worth seeking out. Theft of vehicles themselves is no longer unusually common.

    You must pay for parking in the center of Tallinn and other main towns. Be careful not to park on tram lines. Due to high incidence of vehicle theft and pilfering, guarded parking facilities should be used. Tallin harbors some zones requiring parking tickets, and wheel clamps are used. In Lithuania, parking is prohibited within 15 meters of bus stops and within 5 meters of intersections; wheel clamps are not used, but illegally parked vehicles may be towed. In Riga, the capital of Latvia, almost all the streets suitable for parking are equipped with parking meters. The meters here print a receipt which you place on your vehicle's dashboard. Police in Riga can fine you about 10 Ls (17 EUR) for illegal parking. The fine has to be paid (through a bank), otherwise you may have problems leaving the country.

    Banks

    Estonia: open roughly 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays; some open on Saturdays. Latvia: open roughly 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays. Lithuania: open roughly 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays.

    Shops

    Open 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. weekdays, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Satrudays, some also until 3:00 p.m. on Sundays. Many grocery stores are open 24 hours, whereas some large supermarkets close at 10:00 p.m. or midnight.

    National Holidays

    Estonia: Jan 1; Feb 24; Good Fri; Easter Mon; May 1; June 23, 24; Aug 20; Dec 25, 26.

    Latvia: Jan 1; Good Fri; Easter Mon; May 1; June 23; Nov 11, 18; Dec 25, 26.

    Lithuania: Jan 1; Feb 16; March 11; Good Fri; Easter Mon; Mothers Day; May 1; June 14; July 6; Dec 25, 26.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.:12095, 15070 and 17640 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Spare parts for western vehicles are now widely available. In Estonia: police, tel. 110; fire and ambulance, tel. 112; call 1188 for Estonian Car Club 24-hour help. Elsewhere: Police, tel. 02; Fire, tel. 01; Ambulance, tel. 03. The Finnish oil company Neste Oy provides 24-hour breakdown assistance along the Via Baltica (or M12, a 700 km or 430 mile long road from Warsaw to Tallinn), tel. 370 2 53 43 86 or 370 2 53 42 91. The national motoring clubs are the following.

  • Eesti Autoklubi of Estonia, AIT member, 6 Vorse ROad, Tallinn 13418, tel. 372 696 9100, e-mail eak@autoclub.ee.
  • Auto-Moto Society of Latvia (LR AMB), FIA and AIT member, Raunas 16 B, 226039 Riga, tel. 7 0132 56 83 39 or 7 0132 56 62 22, FAX 7 0132 33 19 20.
  • Association of Lithuanian Automobilists (LAS), FIA and AIT member, Lvovo 9, 2005 Vilnius, tel. 370 2 35 12 73 or 370 2 35 21 86.
  • belgium

    Customs

    Non-EC citizens may import the following free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of still wine, 1 liter of spirits or 2 liters of aperitif wine, 50 grams of perfume. Other imported goods from non-EC countries cannot exceed EUR50 in value. There are no restrictions on the import and export of currency. You can import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

    Equipment

    You are required to carry a warning triangle in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Tolls

    There is a toll for the use of Antwerp's Liefkenshoek Tunnel.

    Concessions for Hostellers

    North Sea Ferries offers discounts on their service between Hull, England, and Zeebrugge, Belgium.

    Sealink Stena Line grants a 20 percent discount on standard fares for foot passengers or motor vehicles plus up to five passengers between Belgium and England.

    Road Signs

    Note that there are two languages generally spoken in Belgium: Flemish in the northern half, and French in Brussels and in the southern half. Antwerpen (Flemish) is Anvers (French); Brugge is Bruges; Bruxelles is Brussel; Gent is Gand; Luik is Liège; Leuven is Louvain; Namen is Namur; Bergen is Mons; and Doornik is Tournai. The words "Passage Difficile" and "Moeilijke Doorgang" indicate a difficult section. The word station in Flemish indicates a train station; while the word in French is gare. International expressways are signified by green signs with white characters preceded by the letter E; national highways are noted by blue signs with white letters preceded by the letter A. As part of a new naming convention, lesser highways may have two road numbers—both the old and the new—preceded by an N.

    Fuel

    Most fuel stations are closed from 8:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m., and all day Sunday, but stations along expressways are open 24 hours, seven days a week. Major credit cards are accepted at stations in large towns and along the expressways. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98 or 99. Unleaded gasoline is known as normale sans plomb, essence sans plomb, ongelood, unverbleit, or loodvrije benzine. Unleaded regular has an octane rating of 92; the octane rating of super is 95.

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat (unless a safety seat is fitted). The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways.

    In exception to the priority-on-your right rule, trams always have priority.

    Headlights must be on between dusk and dawn and during inclement weather. Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on—night and day. The horn should only be used outside built-up areas.

    Police are empowered to impose and collect fines on the spot. Fines range from EUR20; for visitors the fine for a highend offense is EUR150. You must place a security deposit if you refuse to pay. Police may request that you take a blood alcohol test; although you can by law refuse, you might as a result be arrested.

    Parking

    Blue Zone parking areas—indicated by signs placed at their periphery—exist in Antwerp, Bruges, Brussels, Gent, Liège, and Öostende. However, where meters or the like are in place in the zones, discs are not required or sufficient. You can obtain a parking disc from police or service stations, some merchants, or offices of the RACB motoring club. Outside these zones a parking disc must be used where the parking sign includes an extra panel bearing the image of a disc or where the words "Disque Obligatoire" or "Schijf Verplicht" indicate the beginning of a Blue Zone. Don't park within 15 meters of a tram, bus or rail stop or near where tram or rail lines cross the road. Some parking garages are not manned on weekends and holidays; operate the barrier automatically with the proper coins. Wheel clamps are used in Antwerp and Gent.

    No parking from the 1st to the 15th of the monthNo parking from the 16th to the end of the monthEnd of Blue Zone parking area

    Camping

    The government classifies registered sites on a four-star basis; one- and two-star sites don't have showers. Since many campgrounds play host to virtually permanent trailer-living residents, it can be hard to find a spot in high season. An International Camping Carnet is not required. Apart from overnight stays at highway rest areas, free-camping without appropriate permission is not legal.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

    Shops

    Open from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (supermarkets stay open until 8:00 p.m., and on Friday most shops are open until 9:00 p.m.) every day but Sunday.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Easter Mon; Labor Day; Ascension; Whit Mon; July 21; Aug 15; Nov 1, 11; Dec 25.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 648, 9410 and 15575 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 648, 9750 and 12095 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 9410 and 12095 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 101; Fire & Ambulance, tel. 100. If you are in an accident, you must—unless people are injured—move your vehicle off the road so that traffic is not obstructed. Before you do this be sure to properly note the post-accident position of the vehicles; this includes marking the tire position with chalk, and taking photographs.

    Royal Automobile Club de Belgique (RACB), FIA member, 53 rue d'Arlon, 1040 Brussels, tel. 02 2870911; office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays. Touring Club Royal de Belgique (TCB), AIT member, 44 rue de la Loi, 1040 Brussels, tel. 02 2332211; office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Saturday.

    bulgaria

    Customs

    You may import the following free of duty: 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of hard liquor, and 2 liters of wine. Items for personal use are also free of duty. Visitors should declare expensive items such as cameras. You can import 20 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

    License and Insurance

    You must carry an International Driving Permit.(See the Resources chapter.)

    Equipment

    You must carry a warning triangle in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. All drivers must carry a first aid kit in or on their vehicle. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Tolls

    Foreign-registered vehicles using expressways or four-lane rods must pay tolls: 2 leva per km for a private car, 3 leva per km for a van with less than 12 seats, and 4 leva per km for a bus. There's also a toll to cross the bridge over the Danube between Rousse, Bulgaria, and Gjourguevo (Giurgia), Romania: 210 leva plus a $1 tax for a private car, 390 leva plus a $2 tax for a van with less than 12 seats, 60 leva for a motorcycle.

    Road Signs

    Town names are given in Bulgarian, sometimes also in French.

    Fuel

    Fuel stations are located in large towns and every 35 km or so along main roads. Most stations are opne 24 hours, but some operate from 6:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Fuel in blue pumps is of much better quality. Leaded regular has an octane rating of 86; the octane rating of super is 96. Unleaded gasoline is known as bezoloven benzin of 95H; the super variety has an octane rating of 98. Some stations accept credit cards.

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas (40 km/h for motorcycles and for cars towing a trailer), 90 km/h (54 mph) outside built-up areas (70 km/h for motorcycles and for cars towing a trailer), and 120 km/h (72 mph) on expressways (100 km/h for motorcycles and for cars towing a trailer). Drivers who have held their license for less than two years are limited as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 70 km/h (44 mph) outside built-up areas, and 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways.

    In exception to the priority-on-your-right rule, trams always have priority. Pedestrians on banded cross walks have priority over all vehicles except trams.

    In towns drivers must use headlights where lighting is not good. Fog lights or headlights should be used when weather significantly reduces visibility. Unless otherwise indicated, horns can be used outside built-up areas.

    Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot; they should issue a receipt.

    Parking

    On one-way streets, park on the right only. Blue Zone parking is in effect in many built-up areas; tickets are used instead of discs.

    Camping

    Camping is quite popular in Bulgaria. Campgrounds along the Black Sea—especially those which are part of a larger vacation complex—tend to fill up quickly. Motorhomes are a novelty; sites with electrical connections are offered, but don't plan to fill up on propane. An International Camping Carnet is not required. Free-camping without appropriate permission is not legal.

    Banks

    In main towns, open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

    Shops

    In main towns most are open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays, and from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; March 3; May 1, 2, 24; Dec 24, 25.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9660, 15070 and 17640 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 166; Fire, tel. 160; Ambulance, tel. 150. For emergency motoring assistance, telephone 146. In case of an accident which results in only minor damages to the vehicles and no injury to the occupants, the vehicle owners are not required to involve the police. But if the other driver is not insured, you should contact the police so theyÕll create a proper report which you you can present to your insurance company. Union of Bulgarian Motorists (SBA), FIA and AIT member, 3 Place Positano, 1000 Sofia, tel. 87 88 01 or 87 88 02, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.

    croatia

    Equipment

    You are required to carry a first aid kit in or on your vehicle. Helmets must be worn by motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Fuel

    Most stations are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., but some along major roads stay open 24 hours. Leaded super has an octane rating of 98; unleaded super, or bezolovni benzin, 91 or 95.

    Tolls

    Charged on the E59 and the E70 out of Zagreb.

    Driving

    Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Random breath tests are legal. Speed limits are as follows: 60 km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas, 90–100 km/h (56–62 mph) outside built-up areas; and 130 km/h (81 mph) on expressways. Caravans and cars towing a trailer are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph).

    Vehicles entering a roundabout have right of way. School buses and vehicles of public transport have right of way when they're leaving a stop. Do not drive on tram lines. Don't pass a bus when passengers are getting on or off.

    Motorcyclists must use headlights day and night. Other motorists must use headlights in built-up areas when visibility is less than 100 meters, and outside built-up areas when visibility is less than 200 meters. Use your horn only in cases of immediate and extreme danger.

    Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

    Road traffic info is provided 24 hours a day by Hrvatski Auto-Klub, tel. 041 415 800.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday till to noon.

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and on Saturday till noon. Food shops are open Monday–Saturday from 6:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1, 6; May 1, 30; June 22; Aug 15, Dec 25, 26.

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 92; Ambulance, tel. 94; Fire, tel. 93.

    The police must be called to the scene of an accident. They'll issue a certificate detailing any damage to your vehicle. This certificate will ease export of the vehicle. The national motoring club is the Hvratski Auto-Klub, AIT and FIA member, Draskoviceva 25, 41000 Zagreb, tel. 41 454 433, office hours on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (5:30 p.m. on Tuesday).

    cyprus

    Customs

    You may import the following free of duty: 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, 750 ml of wine, 300 ml of perfume, and up to C£50 worth of other goods. The export of antiques and historical artifacts is forbidden unless special permission is obtained from the Ministry of Tourism in Nicosia.

    Equipment

    You must carry two warning triangles in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists.

    Fuel

    Available 24 hours in larger towns. Leaded regular has an octane rating of 87; the octane rating of super is 98. Unleaded fuel is available in major towns only. It's illegal to carry spare fuel.

    Driving

    Whereas the countries of "continental" Europe use left-hand-drive vehicles and drive on the right side of the road (yes, just like in, say, the United States), the convention in the UK (and also in Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta) is to use right-hand-drive vehicles and drive on the left side of the road. Nevertheless, it is perfectly legal — and common — to drive left-hand-drive vehicles in the UK (and Ireland, etc.) and right-hand-drive vehicles in continental Europe; you'll simply need a trusted passenger next to you to serve as your eyes when you attempt to overtake vehicles.

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 5 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) outside built-up areas.

    Headlights must be used between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. Horn use is discouraged, especially between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. and especially near hospitals.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Some banks have tourist services on weekdays in winter from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on weekdays in summer from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to noon.

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. in winter). Open until 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1, 6; Mar 25; Easter according to Greek Orthodox Calendar; Apr 1; Oct 28, 29; Dec 24, 25, 26.

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Dial 199 for Ambulance and Police. The national motoring club is the Cyprus Automobile Association, 12 Chr. Mylonas Street, Nicosia 141, tel. 02 313233. The club's office hours are effective June through September and run from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays except Wednesday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Saturday.

    czech republic

    Customs

    The Czech Republic is now a member of the European Union (EU) and therefore most goods typical of private transport can be imported/exported without restriction from/to other EU countries. Some relevant restrictions do still apply to the export of tobacco products, however.

    License

    Drivers who do not have an EU drivers license are required to carry an International Driving Permit.

    Equipment

    You must carry a warning triangle and a first aid kit in or on your vehicle; though the warning triangle requirement does not apply to motorcyclists. Helmets and goggles are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers riding a machine with a 50 cc or larger engine.

    Tolls

    To travel the expressways your vehicle must bear a special sticker on its windshield. The sticker costs 900 Kc and is valid for a year.

    Road Signs

    The following signs are unique to the Czech and Slovak Republics.

    CHODTE VLEVO                 Pedestrians walk on the left
    DALKOVY PROVOZ               Bypass
    H NEMOCNICE                  Hospital
    JEDNOSMERNY PROVOZ           One-way traffic
    OBJÌZDKA                     Detour
    PRUJEZD ZAKÁZÁB              Closed to vehicles
    

    The Czech word nádrazí indicates a train station.

    Fuel

    Fuel stations are usually located on the edge of towns. Stations on international roads and in large towns are open 24 hours. Credit cards are accepted by almost all stations. Finding a station in Prague can be difficult. Leaded regular gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 96. Lead-free gasoline is known as natural; its octane rating is 95 or 98. Diesel is designated by a sign that reads TT Diesel.

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.00 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, 130 km/h (78 mph) on expressways, 80 km/h (50 mph) for a car with a caravan or trailer traveling outside built-up areas or on expressways.

    Headlights must be on when "standard" (or "winter") time is in effect, i.e. when daylight savings time is not in effect (from last Sunday in October through last Sunday in March). Motorcyclists must use low beams at all times. When waiting at level train crossings use sidelights only. Horns can be used only to warn of danger or to signal that you are about to pass. Horns are prohibited in central Prague between 9:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m., from March 15 to October 15, and from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. the rest of the year.

    Trams should be passed on the right; if there is no room on the right, trams can be passed on the left. It's illegal in Prague to pass trams on the left.

    Police are empowered to collect fines of up to 2000 Kc on the spot. Fines of up to 15,000 Kc may be imposed for later collection. Laws and regulations are enforced with vigor in the Czech Republic—follow the rules.

    Parking

    Parking is only allowed on the right side of the road, but this restriction does not apply to one-way roads. Parking along a tram line is prohibited unless a 3.5-meter wide lane is left between the vehicle and the tram lane. Don't park within 5 meters of an intersection, pedestrian crossing, or public transportation stop. Don't park within 15 meters of a train crossing.

    Your vehicle is banned from the Prague city center unless you're staying in a hotel there. But don't worry, the true city center is really a rather small area. If you're staying in a private room near Wenceslas Square (Vacavske namesti), try parking on one of the streets behind the National Museum; parking on these streets is unrestricted and free of charge. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed or clamped.

    Camping

    Camping is very popular. Most campgrounds, called Autocamps, are open from June 15 to September 15. Some rent cabins and stay open all year. An International Camping Carnet is not required. Free-camping without appropriate permission is not legal, and it's less likely to be tolerated in forested areas.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Some close from noon to 2:00 a.m.; some open until noon on Saturday. It is increasingly common for shops in shopping centers to stay open 7 days a week, from quite early in the day until quite late in the evening. Some grocery supermarkets are open 7 days a week, for 18–24 hours a day.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Easter Monday; May Day; May 8; Oct 28; Dec 25, 26.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 6195, 9410 and 15575 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 9410 and 12095 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    The emergency telephone number for motorists is 154; Police, tel. 158; Fire, tel. 150; Ambulance, tel. 155. Any accident resulting in injury or causing damages in excess of 1000 Kcs must be immediately reported to police. If you plan to export the vehicle, it's advisable to contact the police even if damages are slight: the police will give you a certificate to ease the exporting process. Ustredni Automotoklub CSFR (UAMK), FIA and AIT member, Na Rybnicku 16, 120 76 Prague 2, tel. 22491 1843; office hours from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays. The CSFR operates a breakdown service; in Prague, tel. 7734555. Another club is Autoklub Ceské Republiky (ACR), FIA member, Opletalova 29, 110 00 Prague 1, tel. 22421 0266; office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. Autoturist, Na Rybnicku 16, 120 76 Prague 2, tel. 2 203 355, office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays, is an information service for motoring tourists.

    denmark

    Customs

    Arriving from a non-EC country or with goods that were not taxed in the EC, you must pay Danish taxes on all alcoholic beverages greater than 1 liter of liquor or 2 liters of strong wine and on amounts greater than 2 liters of other wine; and you may import the following free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 50 grams of perfume, and other items—including beer—up to a total monetary value of 350 kr. Arriving from another EC country, you may import the following free of duty if it was taxed in the EC: 1.5 liters of liquor or 3 liters of strong wine consisting of under 22 per cent alcohol by volume, 5 liters of other wine, 300 cigarettes or 150 cigarillos or 75 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco, 75 grams of perfume, and other items up to a total of 2800 kr. You may import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty if arriving from an EC country.

    License

    Foreign licenses are accepted until their expiration date passes.

    Equipment

    You must carry a warning triangle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Concessions for Hostellers

    Color Line offers 10 percent discounts on fares for persons under 26 years of age on its ferry services between Kristiansand, Norway, and Hirtshals, Denmark, and between Oslo, Norway, and Hirtshals, Denmark.

    Larvik Line offers a 10 percent discount on fares between Larvik, Norway, and Fredrikshavn, Denmark.

    Scandinavian Seaways offers discounts on their ferry service between Newcastle, England, and Esbjerg, Denmark.

    Stena Line offers a 10 percent discount off fares on the services below (tickets are obtainable only at Terra Nova Travel Sections and valid for Monday through Thursday travel from June through August).

    Oslo, Norway—Fredrikshavn, Denmark
    Moss, Norway—Fredrikshavn, Denmark
    Göteborg, Sweden—Fredrikshavn, Denmark

    The ferry service between Luxhaven, Germany, and Helgoland (a Danish Island) is discounted for groups of 6 or more, members being under 23 years of age.

    Fuel

    Fuel stations that are not in large towns often close at night; many, however, offer self-service pumps which accept 100 Kr notes 24 hours a day. Major credit cards are generally accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded Gasoline is known as blyfri benzin. Regular unleaded has an octane rating of 92; the octane rating of super is 95 or 98. Diesel is called dieselolie. LPG goes by its English name.

    Road Signs

    Ensrettet kørsel                One-way Street
    Fare                            Danger
    Farligt sving                   Dangerous curve
    Fodgaengerovergang              Pedestrian crossing      
    Gennemkørsel forbudt            No through road
    Hold til højre                  Keep to the right
    Hold till venstre               Keep to the left
    Indkørsel forbudt               Do not enter
    Korsvej                         Crossroads
    Omkørsel                        Detour
    Vejarbejde                      Road in repair
    Vejen er spaerret               Road closed
    

    The word banegården indicates a train station.

    SightseeingCompulsory slow lane

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. (Persons aged 18 to 21 years are not allowed to operated a motorcycle having more than 34 horsepower.) Children under 3 years of age must be seated in a special child restraint. The use of seat belts is compulsory for all passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, 110 or 130 km/h (68 or 80 mph) on expressways, and 70 km/h (44 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer traveling outside built-up areas or on expressways.

    If a line of triangles is painted across the road, it means you must yield. You must also yield to buses. Beware of bicyclists.

    Headlights must be used at all times. Use your lights instead of your horn to signal warning in circumstances not involving immediate and extreme danger. When wiaitng at a level train crossing use only sidelights, headlights should be off.

    Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

    The Danish Tourist Board distributes a leaflet on intra- and international ferry services.

    The completion of the new 18 kilometres-long Great Belt bridge and tunnel linking the islands of Sealand and Funen revolutionised the infrastructure of domestic travel with the first seamless surface connection all the way from the European continent to Copenhagen. The technological masterpiece includes the world's second longest suspension bridge (6.6 kilometres). The next step will be the opening of the Øresund bridge and tunnel for cars and trains in the year 2000. It will link Copenhagen with Malmö in Sweden.

    Parking

    Parkering/Standsning/Stop Forbudt means no parking/no stopping; you are, however, allowed a three-minute grace period for loading and unloading when in such a zone. Parking discs allow parking for usually one hour and are required where no parking meters are in place in central Copenhagen. Discs are available at banks, fuel stations, post offices, tourist offices, and the motoring club (FDM) offices. Parking meters usually allow up to 3 hours of parking. Meters are checked on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., they accept 1 Kr and 25 øre coins. In other large towns, parking on the street is often restricted to one hour; this is indicated by the standard No Parking sign bearing the words "1-times zone". (A series of slashes across this sign indicates the end of the restriction.)

    Camping

    Denmark's campgrounds are outstanding. and though most are open from May 1 to early September, some stay open all year. Camping parties without an International Camping Carnet must purchase Danish Camping Pass. Free-camping without appropriate permission is not legal, and it's not tolerated on beaches or dunes.

    Banks

    Banks in Copenhagen are open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Thursdays until 6:00 p.m. Outside Copenhagen the banking hours vary. ATM machines are often out of service in Denmark; if you find one that works for you, consider withdrawing more cash than you usually do.

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and on Saturday until noon.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Maunday Thur; Good Fri; Easter Mon; June 5; Ascension; Whit Mon; Dec 24, 25, 26, 31.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 6195 and 9410 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9410 and 12095 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 9410 and 12095 kHz

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 112. All highways have emergency phones. The rescue corps, Falck, tel. 33 14 22 22, can help 24 hours a day. The national motoring club is Forende Danske Motorejere (FDM), AIT member, FDM-Huset, Firskovvej 32, Lyngby, Copenhagen, tel. 45 93 08 00, office hours on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

    finland

    Customs

    The word in Finnish for Customs is tulli. From non-EU countries persons age 17 and up may import 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos (maximum 3 grams each) or 50 cigars or 250 grams of loose tobacco free of tax and duty; while from EU countries such persons can import 300 cigarettes or 150 cigarillos (maximum 3 grams each) or 75 cigars or 400 grams of loose tobacco free of tax and duty. From non-EU countries persons age 20 and up may import the following free of duty: 15 liters of beer, 2 liters or table wine, and 1 liter of spirits consisting of under 22 percent alcohol by volume; while from EU countries such personsmay import the following free of tax and duty: 15 liters of beer, 5 liters or table wine, 3 liter of spirits consisting of under 22 percent alcohol by volume or sparkling wines; 1 liter of spirits consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume. (Persons under 20 years of age cannot possess or carry beverages consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume. But persons 18 years and older are allowed to possess weaker alcoholic beverages.) Alcoholic beverages are allowed to be imported in unrestricted quantities subject to the taxes due. The maximum value of imported goods other than the duty- and tax-free amounts mentioned above is EUR200. You may import up to 10 liters of spare fuel free duty and tax.

    License

    Foreign licenses are accepted for a duration of one year, after which a Finnish license must be obtained.

    Equipment

    Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Concessions for Hostellers

    Europcar and Inter Rent grant a 10 percent discount.

    Fuel

    Some stations are open 24 hours, and almost all have automatic pumps that accept cash and major credit cards. Leaded gasoline is not available; however, an unleaded substitute with a special additive is. Unleaded regular gasoline has an octane rating of 95; the octane rating of super is 98. Unleaded gasoline is known as lyijyton polttaine.

    Road Signs

    Aja hitaasti                      Drive slowly
    Ajo sallittu omallo vastuulla     Proceed at your own risk
    Aluerajoitus                      Local speed limit
    Kelirikko                         Frost damage
    Kokeile jaruja                    Test your brakes
    Kunnossapitotyö                   Road in repair
    Lossi-farja                       Ferry
    Päällystetyötä                    Road being resurfaced 
    Tie rakenteilla                   Road construction
    Tulli                             Customs
    Varo irtokivia                    Loose gravel
    

    Expressways are denoted by the characters M1 to M999. First class main roads take the numbers 1 to 39; second class main roads take 40 to 99; other highways take 100 to 999; lesser main roads take 1000 to 2999; and local roads take the numbers 11,000 to 19,999.

    Detour due to road workProhibition applies between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. Children must be constrained either by seatbelts or in a child seat. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80 km/h (50 mph) or 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas, 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways, and 80 km/h (50 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer traveling outside built-up areas or on expressways.

    Approaches to priority roads are denoted by a sign showing a red triangle on a yellow background. In another exception to the priority-on-the-right rule, trams always have priority.

    Headlights must be used at all times. Use of horns in towns and villages is illegal except in the case of immediate and extreme danger. Otherwise, horns and headlights should be used when poor visibility demands them.

    Passing is allowed on the right if you are traveling a multi-lane road, but be careful not to cross the white line which indicates the bicycle and pedestrian lane.

    Police are not empowered to collect fines on the spot. The fines can be extremely steep. The minimum is EUR22 but there is no maximum, the amount being dependent on your income! You pay up at a bank or post office.

    Parking

    Parking lights must be on if you're parked in a dimly lit public spot. Wheel clamps aren't used, but illegally parked vehicles may be towed.

    Camping

    Though most campgrounds are open from June 1 to September 1, many stay open all year. Grounds are rated from one to three stars. One-star grounds are devoid of showers and electrical hookups, and even three-stars doesn't guarantee a campstore or restaurant. Parties without an International Camping Carnet will probably have to purchase a Finnish Camping Pass. Free-camping without appropriate permission is not legal.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.

    Shops

    Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday until 2:00 or 6:00 p.m. Many shops are open on Sundays during the summer.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410 and 12095 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 12095 and 15070 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15070 kHz

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Epiphany; Good Fri; Easter Mon; May Day; first Sat after Ascension; Whit Sat; first Sat in Nov; Dec 6, 25; St. Stephen's Day.

    Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Call 10022 for Police, 112 for Fire or Ambulance; check telephone boxes for contrary instructions. The Automobile and Touring Club of Finland (Autoliitto or AL) patrols the roads from Friday evening to Sunday night; in Helsinki, tel. 09 774 76400 (24 hours). Immediately report any accidents to the Finnish Motor Insurers' Bureau, tel. 09 680 401 or 09 019 251, FAX 6804 0368, and to the police. The bureau's Finnish name is Liikennevakuutusyhdistys, and its head office is at Bulevardi 28, 00120 Helsinki 12. The national motoring club is Autoliitto Automobile and Touring-Club of Finland (ATCF), FIA and AIT member, Hämeentie 105 A, 00550 Helsinki, tel. 358 9 774761, FAX 358 9 77476444, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Monday and from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on other weekdays.

    france

    Customs

    Arriving from a non-EC country, you may import the following free of duty: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of liquor consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume, 2 liters of wine, 0.50 liters of perfume, 0.25 liters of toilet water, and other goods to a value of EUR50. Arriving from an EC country, you may import the following free of duty: 300 cigarettes or 150 cigarillos or 75 cigars or 400 grams of tobacco, 1.5 liters of liquor consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume or 3 liters of liquor consisting of under 22 percent alcohol by volume or 3 liters of fortified or sparkling wine, 4 liters of still wine, 0.9 liters of perfume, 0.375 liters of toilet water, and other goods to a value of EUR375.

    Equipment

    Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Concessions for Hostellers

    Irish Ferries offers discounts on their service between Le Havre, France, and Rosslare, Ireland, and between Cherbourg, France, and Rosslare, Ireland.

    Stena Sealink Line grants a 20 percent discount on standard fares for foot passengers or cars plus up to five passengers between France and England.

    Tolls

    An autoroute on which tolls are charged is indicated by a sign, usually blue, reading péage. Green signs indicate non-toll expressways. On sections of autoroute in the proximity of large cities no toll is charged. Visa and MasterCard are among the cards accepted. When you enter an autoroute, take a ticket from the gate machine. This ticket identifies your starting point on the autoroute. You do not pay a toll until you reach your exit point. Automatic toll machines at exits (insert your ticket) take credit cards or coins and give change and, if required, receipts. You do not have to sign a receipt when you use a credit card. Personel rather than machines do work certain lanes. And they're used to the machines and, especially, the drivers on the other lanes screwing things up. So if you do something stupid like I'm prone to, a worker will quickly materialize to amiably solve the problem. Last time I stuck my credit card into the slot which issues the entry ticket, despite the immediacy of a large green "button" bearing a lifesize hand icon. My card disappeared inside and after a moment which I puncuated with various facial contortions and obscene mutterings, a gracious employee arrived, gave me a few prosaic sentences in French and proceeded to quickly open the machine, retrieve my card, and hand it to me with a smile. I high-fived the green button and was on my way.

    Vehicles are classified as belonging to one of three groups.

    1. Private car or van with 2 axles, up to 9 seats, and with a height less than 1.3 meters as measured vertically from the front axle.
    2. Vehicle or combination of vehicles with more than 2 axles and with a height of less than 1.3 meters as measured vertically from the front axle. Tolls for these vehicles are, on average, 50 percent more expensive than tolls for category-1 vehicles.
    3. Caravans and vans having more than 9 seats, buses with two axles, commercial vehicles with two axles and a height greater than 1.3 meters as measured from the front axle. Tolls for these vehicles are, on average, 66 percent more expensive than tolls for category-1 vehicles.
    4. Motorcycles. Tolls for motorcycles are, on average, 30 percent cheaper than tolls for category-1 vehicles.

    Road Toll for a Category-1 Vehicle

    A1 Paris to Lille                       EUR8.75 
    A1 Paris to Roye (Amiens)                  5.25
    A1 & A2 Paris to Belgium                   8.50
    A2 Bapaume to Hordain                      3.75
    A4 Calais to Strasbourg                   33.50
    A4 Paris to Metz                          18.00
    A4 Metz to Strasbourg                     10.50
    A5 Melun to Troyes                         6.25
    A5 Troyes to Semoutiers                    4.25
    A6 Calais to Lyon                         38.50
    A6 Paris to Beaune                        14.00
    A6 Paris to Lyon                          22.00
    A6 & A 36 Paris to Mulhouse               26.00
    A6 & A40 Paris to Geneva                  29.00
    A7 Calais to Marseille                    57.00
    A7 Lyon to Aix-en-Provence                16.50
    A7 & A9 Lyon to Montpellier               16.50
    A8 Aix-en-Provence to Nice                15.00
    A8 Calais to Nice                         69.00
    A9 Calais to Le Perthus                   70.00
    A8 Cannes to Italy                         5.50
    A9 Orange to Le Perthus                   16.25
    A9 Orange to Narbonne sud                 11.00
    A9 & A55 Montpellier to Arles              4.00
    A10 Paris to Tours                        15.25
    A10 Tours to Bordeaux                     20.50
    A10 Calais to Bordeaux                    51.00
    A10 & A71 Paris to Clermont-Ferrand       23.00
    A11 Paris to Le Mans                      12.25
    A11 Paris to Angers                       24.00
    A11 & A81 Paris to Rennes                 18.50
    A13 Paris to Tancarville (Le Havre)        5.50
    A13 Paris to Caen                          9.25
    A26 Calais to Paris                       19.00
    A26 Calais to Reims                       14.25
    A4 Calais to Strasbourg                   33.50
    A26 Reims to Troyes                        6.50
    A26 & A31 & A6 Reims to Lyon              26.00
    A26 & A31 & A6 &
      A40 Reims to Geneva                     34.00
    A31 Beaune to Dijon                        1.25
    A31 Langres nord to Toul (Gye)             5.50
    A31 Dijon to Toul (Gye)                    9.50
    A31 & A6 Nancy to Lyon                    18.50
    A31 & A6 & A40 Nancy to Geneva            26.00
    A36 Beaune to Besançon Center              4.00
    A36 Paris to Mulhouse                     26.00
    A36 & A6 Mulhouse to Lyon                 18.50
    A36 & A6 & A40 Mulhouse to Geneva         26.00
    A40 Calais to Genève                      48.00
    A40 Calais to LeFayet                     52.00
    A40 Geneva to Chamonix                     4.50
    A41 Annecy to Chambéry                     6.25
    A41 Annecy to Chamonix                     3.00
    A41 Chambéry to Grenoble                   4.00
    A41 Chambéry to Scentier                   6.50
    A42 Pont d'Ain to Lyon                     3.00
    A43 Lyon to Chambéry                       7.75
    A43 & A48 Lyon to Grenoble                 7.00
    A43/431 Lyon to Les Abrets                 4.75
    A43/431 Lyon to Albertville               15.00
    A48/43 Bourgoin to Grenoble                4.25
    A48/43 Calais to Grenoble                 48.00
    A49 Grenoble to Valence                    7.00
    A50 Marseille to Toulon                    3.00
    A51 Sisteron to Aix-en-Provence            6.75
    A52 Aix-en-Provence to Aubagne             2.50
    A54 Arles to Nimes ouest                   1.60
    A55 Arles to Nimes                         1.60
    A57 & A8 Toulon to Cannes                  7.75
    A61 Toulouse to Narbonne sud               9.25
    A61 & A9 Toulouse to Le Perthus           14.00
    A61 & A9 Toulouse to Montpellier          15.00
    A62 Bordeaux to Toulouse                  13.50
    A63 St. Geours-de-Maremme to Spain         6.25
    A64 Sames to Tarbes est                    8.00
    A71 Orléans center to Bourges              7.25
    A71 Bourges to Clermont Ferrand           10.00
    A71 Calais to Clermont Ferrand            40.00
    A72 Clermont-Ferrand to St. Etienne        8.00
    A81 Paris to La Gravelle                  20.00
    N937 Nantes to Montaigu                    1.60
    
    

    Several tunnels require tolls.

  • A40-N205/SS26D's (E25's) Mont Blanc Tunnel between Chamonix and Entrèves, Italy: EUR14–29 for a car (depending on wheel base), EUR29 for a car towing a trailer or caravan, EUR14 for a motorcycle. Special rate for those making roundtrip within 72 hours. Customs are on the Italian side.
  • N6/SS35's (E70's) Frèjus Tunnel between Modane and Bardonecchia, Italy is open all year: EUR14–27 for a car (depending on wheel base), EUR27 for a car towing a trailer or caravan, EUR14 for a motorcycle. Minimum speed of 60 km/h, maximum of 80 km/h.
  • N20's Col du Puymorans Tunnel between Toulouse and Bracelona, Spain. Saves 20-minute climb over twisting 1.2-mile pass that's often snowbound in winter. EUR7 for cars, EUR3 for motorcycles.
  • D929/C138's Bielsa Tunnel runs through the Pyrénées between Bielsa and Aragnouet, France; usually open all year, but closes from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • During daylight hours vehicle ferries run across the Gironde estuary between Royan and Le Verdon, and in the south between Blage and Lamasque. Crossing times are 30 and 25 minutes, respectively, and the ferries make one roundtrip per hour.

    Tolls are charged on the following bridges.

  • A29's Normandie Bridge: car, EUR5; car towing trailer, EUR6; motorcycle, free.
  • N178-N182's TancarvilleBridge: car, EUR2 minimum (according to hp); car towing trailer, EUR2.50; motorcycle, free.
  • Non-toll Mountain Passes

  • Non-toll mountain passes tend to be much more difficult to negotiate than the passes which charge a toll. If you're driving a vehicle, such as a caravan, that is not allowed on or recommended for some of the following passes or if you want to travel quickly across or through the mountains, note that a mountain pass or tunnel which charges a toll tends to be close by.
  • N5's (E2's) Faucille Pass, Morez to Geneva, Switzerland. 1322 meters; usually open in the winter; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); scenic view of Mont Blanc; difficult; not recommended for caravans.
  • N6/SS35's Mt. Cenis Pass, Chambéry to Turin, Italy. 2083 meters; closed from early November to mid May; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • N20's Puymorens Pass, Toulouse to Bourg-Madame. 1913 meters; closed occasionally from November to April; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 5.5 meters (18 ft.); maximum vehicle height of 3.56 meters (11.5 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • N75's Croix-Haute Pass, Grenoble to Sisteron. 1176 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 5.5 meters (18 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • N85's Bayard Pass, Grenoble to Gap. 1247 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 6.2 meters (20 ft.); marginally negotiable for caravans.
  • N90/SS26's Petit St. Bernard Pass, Bourg-St.-Maurice and Aosta, Italy. 2188 meters; closed from mid October to mid June; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); no vehicles over 15 metric tons (15 000 kg); not recommended for caravans.
  • N91's Lautaret/Altareto Pass, Briançon to Vizille. 2057 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 4.34 meters (14 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans; not recommended for buses.
  • N94/SS24's Montgenevre Pass, Briançon to Turin, Italy. 1850 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); tire chains required in winter; especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • N134/N330's Somport Pass, Pau to Huesca, Spain. 1632 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 3.72 meters (12 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • N204/SS20's Col de Tende Pass, La Giandola to Borgo San Dalmazzo, Italy. 1320 meters; usually open, but closed from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 5.58 meters (18 ft.); no caravans allowed in the winter.
  • N506/A203-A9-A21's Col de Montes Pass, Chamonix to Martigny, Switzerland. 1460 meters; closed occasionally from December through early April; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); OK for small caravans.
  • D64's Restefond Pass, Juasiers to St. Etienne-de-Tinée. 2802 meters; closed October through June; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); highest Alpine pass; not recommended for caravans.
  • D118's Quillanne Pass, Carcasonne to Mont-Louis. 1715 meters; closed occasionally from November through March; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • D465's Ballon d'Alsace Pass, St. Maurice-sur-Moselle to Belfort. 1178 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • D618's Peyresourde Pass, Arreau to Bagnères-de-Luchon. 1563 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • D618's Port Pass, St.-Girons to Tarascon-sur-Ariège. 1250 meters; closed occasionally from November through March; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4.34 meters (14 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for large caravans.
  • D900/SS21's Larche/Argentera Pass, Barcelonnette to Cuneo, Italy. 1994 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); OK for caravans.
  • D902's Galibier Pass, St. Michel-de-Maurienne to Lautaret Saddle. 2645 meters; closed from October through June; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 3.1 meters (10 ft.); not recommended for caravans. The tunnel that once allowed traffic under the summit has been closed.
  • D902's Iseran Pass, Lanslebourg to Bourg-St.-Maurice. 2770 meters; closed from mid October to late June; maximum grade is 11 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • D902's Izoard Pass, Briançon to Guillestre. 2360 meters; closed from late October through mid June; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • D902's Vars Pass, Barcelonnette to Guillestre. 2110 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 6 meters (16 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • D908's Allos Pass, Barcelonnette to Entrevaux. 2250 meters; closed from early November through early June; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; maximum vehicle width of 1.83 meters (5 feet 11 inches); not recommended for caravans.
  • D909's Aravis Pass, Annecy to Chamonix. 1499 meters; closed occasionally from December through March; maximum grade is 9 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
  • D918's Aspin Pass, Arreau to Luz-St.-Sauveur. 1490 meters; closed from December through April; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • D918's Aubisque Pass, Laruns to Argelès-Gazost. 1710 meters; closed from mid October through June; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 3.4 meters (11 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
  • D918's Tourmalet Pass, Luz-St.-Sauveur to Arreau. 2115 meters; closed from October through mid June; maximum grade is 12.5 percent; minimum width is 4.34 meters (14 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • C135's Ibaneta Pass, St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona, Spain. 1058 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • D933/C135's Ibaneta Pass, Pamplona to St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France. 1058 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); especially scenic; OK for caravans.
  • D934/C136's Pourtalet Pass, Pau to Huesca, Spain. 1791 meters; closed from late October to early June; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 3.4 meters (11 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • D2202's Cayolle Pass, Barcelonnette to Nice. 2327 meters; closed from early November to early June; maximum grade is 10 percent; minimum width is 4 meters (13 ft.); not recommended for caravans.
  • A203's Forclaz Pass, Chamonix to Martigny, Switzerland. 1527 meters; usually open; maximum grade is 8.3 percent; minimum width is 5 meters (16 ft.); no vehicles over 2.54 meters (8 feet 2 1/2 inches) wide; no trailers over 5 metric tons; especially scenic; marginally negotiable by caravans.
  • Fuel

    Fuel is more expensive along the superhighways than at supermarkets; look to fill up or "faire le plain"at supermarkets on main roads exiting towns. A map called la carte de l' esssence moins chère showing locations of such supermarkets close to highway exits is available through French Government Tourist Offices. Major credit cards are accepted. You can pay at a booth or by inserting your card into a machine near the pumps. If the person who preceded you chooses to pay at the booth and hasn't yet succeeded in doing that, you may have to wait to pump your fuel until they pay. Especially when opting to pay at the booth note the total fuel charge on the pump so you won't be overcharged; sometimes the operator may depend on your honesty and let you quote the total at the booth. Vehicles equipped with a catalytic converter may carry 10 liters of spare fuel but may not carry it on ferries to Corsica. Curbside pumps grace many Paris streets, making filling up in the city a breeze; and, yes, they do take credit cards. Signs depicting a pump and indicating distance in meters to the mini-station point the way. Interestingly, these operations also sell firewood.

    The blue pump dispenses leaded regular gasoline with an octane rating of 98. The green pumps gives unleaded gasoline is known as essence sans plomb. Super unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 95 or 98. Often, diesel fuel is called by its English name; otherwise, diesel is called gas-oil or gaz-oil. LPG is called Gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL).

    Road Signs

    Aire de repos                  Rest stops
    Allumez vos lanternes
      (or feux)                    Turn on your lights 
    Attention au feu               Beware of traffic signal
    Attention travaux              Beware roadworks
    Autre directions               Other directions
    Barrière de dégel              Trucks not allowed     
    Chaussée déformée              Bumpy road ahead
    Cédez le passage               Give priority to the other road
    Centre ville                   Town center
    Chambres d'Hôtes               Bed and Breakfast
    Col                            Mountain pass
    Fermé                          Closed
    Gendarmerie                    Police station
    Gîte                           Spartan bed and breakfast
    Gratuit                        Free of charge
    Gravillons                     Loose chippings
    Haute tension                  Electric line
    Interdit aux Piétons           No pedestrians
    Nids de poules                 Potholes
    Ouvert                         Open
    Pas                            likely indicates a mountain pass
    Prochain échangeur             No toll at next exit
    Rappel                         Remember
    Route barrée                   Road closed
    Sens unique                    One-way
    Serrez à droite                Keep to the right
    Sortie                         Exit
    Suivre                         Follow
    Sur                            On
    Toutes directions              All directions
    Vitesse adaptée sécurité       Adapt your speed for safety
    Voie unique                    One-lane road
    Voitures                       Cars
    
    
    

    Blue signs and the letter A indicate Autoroute péage or toll roads, while green signs and the letter N (RN on older maps) indicate non-toll Route National highways. D roads are provincial or routes départementals. Just follow the signs in green if you want to avoid tolls but still make good time. To exit a metropolitan area follow the signs that read "Toutes Directions" (All Directions) or "Autre Directions" (Other Directions). Exits or sorties off the autoroutes are sometimes embellished by an orange panel marked "Bis"; these signs indicate alternate routes which avoid areas prone to congestion at peak driving times. A free map of Bis routes is published in June each year by the French Government; check for this map at tourist offices in France if you haven't already obtained it. Itineraires de délestage are routes that avoid the cities; these are signified by blue signs with yellow arrows. To avoid rush hour in large cities don't drive between 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. or between 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The word gare indicates a train station.

    No parking from the 1st to the 15th of the monthNo parking from the 16th to the end of the monthParking alternates sides every 2 weeks

    Driving

    The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 10 years of age to sit in the front seat. Children under 10 years of age must be seated in the rear and seatbelted or in an approved child seat. However, a very young child in an approved rear-facing safety seat can be in front. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Generally, speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) or 110 km/h (68 mph) outside built-up areas, and 130 km/h (81 mph) on expressways. During good weather the minimum speed in the far left lane of expressways is 80 km/h (49 mph). In bad weather, limits are lowered to 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, 100 km/h (62 mph) when multiple lanes are provided in each direction, and 110 km/h (68 mph) on expressways. Visitors who've held their license for less than one year must always observe a 90 km/h (56 mph) speed limit. The speed limit on Paris's Périphérique (ring road) is 80 km/h (49 mph). This same 80 km/h limit applies to cars towing a trailer that's not as heavy as the car. If the trailer is less than 30 percent heavier than the car, the limit is 65 km/h (39 mph); if the trailer is more than 30 percent heavier, the limit is 45 km/h (28 mph). In both cases a plate showing the maximum speed must be displayed on the back of the trailer, and the vehicle-trailer combination is not allowed in the far left lane of expressways.

    A flashing red traffic light means Do not enter; flashing amber means Caution; flashing yellow arrows mean Yield. A sign reading "Danger Prioritè à Droite" reminds you that traffic on the right has priority at intersections. A sign reading "Passage protégé" indicates that you're approaching a road that has priority. When traffic on a roundabout has priority, this is indicated by a red-bordered triangular sign bearing the roundabout symbol and the words "vouz n'avez pas la priorité" (you do not have right of way) or "cèdez le passage" (give way). You must give bicyclists a clearance of at least one meter when you pass them.

    Motorcycles must be operated with the headlights on—night and day. Vehicles parked in dimly lit public places must have their parking lights on. Horns should only be used in cases of immediate and extreme danger. If a driver coms up behind and flashes you, he's communicating that he wants to pass.

    Broken center lines indicate a section of road where passing is allowed. Where three or five lanes exist the middle is to be used for passing by traffic going both directions. On the autoroute a double-thick white line designates the mandatory slow lane. A moving tram on a two-way street may be passed on the right only. A moving tram on a one-way street, however, may be passed on the left. Do not pass a stopped tram which passengers are boarding or disembarking.

    Some police are empowered to collect fines of up to EUR380 on the spot. If you cannot immediately produce your vehicle registration document and driving license, you may be fined EUR15. And if within five days you do not present them at a police station, EUR150 may be tacked on. For minor offences a fine is payable within 30 days. A deposit might be required if a serious offence is committed by a non resident.

    By the—literal—way, Napolean planted those nice poplars that line the roads to give his troops shade to march in.

    Parking

    Follow the local parking customs. Often you'll see cars parked half-on and half-off the sidewalk. If this practice seems to be the norm in an area, go ahead and do it. I've had no problem consistently finding free and well-located parking spots in downtown Paris.

    Don't park where the curb is painted yellow. If, based on whether the date is even or odd, parking is allowed on one side of the street or the other, signs reading "Coté du Stationnement, jour pairs" (even) or "impairs" (odd) are in place. Parking on the left side of a street is allowed along one-way streets only. The end of a no parking zone is indicated by a sign reading "Fin d'interdiction de stationner." On dark streets, parking lights must be left on. In Paris, parking is not allowed along two main axes rouges or red routes: the north-south route includes the Ave. du Général Leclerc, a portion of the Blvd. St. Michel, the rue de Rivoli, Blvd. Sébastopol, Blvd. Strasbourg, Blvd. Barbès, Blvd. Ornano, rue Lafayette, and Ave. Jean Jaurès; the east-west route includes the left banks of the Seine and the Quai de la Mégisserie. Do not leave a vehicle parked in the same spot along a Paris street for more than 24 hours; this also applies to Hauts-de-Seine, Seine-St. Denis, and Val de Marne.

    Pay-and-display machines (horodateurs) are common throughout France. Unless otherwise indicated, parking is free of charge from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m. and on weekends, public holidays, and during the whole of August. Provincial towns often offer free parking from noon to 1:30 p.m. The tariff and time limit are shown on the machine. Press the red button to get a ticket. Larger cities have Blue Zones where parking discs or tickets must be displayed on vehicle dashboards. Discs should be displayed on the inside of the windshield, with the clock hands set to show time of arrival and planned time of departure. The limit in Blue Zones is 1.5 hours from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., except from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with no tickets required on Sundays or public holidays. The discs or tickets may be obtained from tourist offices, certain shops, and police stations. The police charge for the discs, but the tourist offices don't. In Paris and some other large cities, illegally parked vehicles may be wheel-clamped or towed.

    Camping

    Signs reading Camping a la Ferme and Camping rural indicate modestly sized and spartan campgrounds often located on a farm. An International Camping Carnet is required by some private campgrounds and in national parks. Free-camping without the appropriate permission is not legal, and it's often not tolerated in state forests and national parks and along beach fronts on the Mediterranean. In fact, many parking lots near municipal beaches are guarded by a height barrier which blocks motorhomes from entering. If you have a propane bottle from another country, you'll have trouble filling it in France.

    Banks

    Open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m., but times vary. Most banks close for about an hour at lunch time.

    Shops

    Open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. every day but Sunday. Some shops, however, close on Monday instead of Sunday; and food sellers open at 6:00 or 7:00 a.m.

    National Holidays

    Jan 1; Easter Mon; Labor Day; May 8; Ascension; Whit Monday; July 14; Aug 15; Nov 1; Nov 11; Dec 25.

    BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

    In the North:

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 648 and 6195 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 648, 9760 and 12095 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 648, 9410 and 12095 kHz

    In the South

    5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 6195, 9410, and 15575 kHz
    7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 9760 and 12095 kHz
    4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m..: 6195, 9410, and 12095 kHz

    Information Services

    For autoroute conditions throughout France call 8 36 68 10 77.

    For regional information on road conditions call the following:

  • Ile-de-France: 1 48 99 33 33.
  • North: 3 20 47 33 33.
  • East: 3 87 63 33 33.
  • West: 2 99 32 33 33.
  • Southwest: 5 56 96 33 33.
  • Rhône-Alpes/Auvergne: 4 78 54 33 33.
  • Mediterranean: 4 91 78 78 78.
  • Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

    Police, tel. 17; Fire, tel. 18; Ambulancecall the number given on the phone box or call the police. Expressways and main highways have roadside emergency telephones every 2 km. If an accident involving personal injury or substantial damage occurs in a town, contact a policeman (agent de police) to make a report. On country roads, contact a gendarme. If the accident involves damage only, contact a huissier from the nearest town. A huissier is a court official who is part assessor and part bailiff. The party requesting the huissier's services must pay the fee for completing a report on the accident. Accidents also should be reported to the Bureau Central Français des Sociétés d'Assurances contre les Accidents Automobiles, 36 ave. du Général de Gaulle, 93171 Bagnolet cedex, tel. 1 49 93 65 50. Automobile Club de France, FIA member, 6–8 Place de la Concorde, 75008 Paris, tel. 1 43 12 43 12, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays. Automobile Club National (ACN), FIA and AIT member, 5 rue Auber, 75009 Paris, tel. 44 51 53 99, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Friday until 5:00) on weekdays.

    germany

    Customs

    Non-EC citizens may import the following free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits consisting of greater than 22 percent alcohol by volume or 2 liters of spirits consisting of less than 22 percent alcohol by volume, 2 liters of still wine, 50 grams of perfume, 0.25 liters of toilet water, and other goods to a value of EUR60. You may import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty if your vehicle is registered in an EU country.

    License

    Generally foreign drivers licenses are valid for one year. Technically a German translation of the license is required, but it's not likely you'll be asked for one. You can if necessary buy one from the German ADAC motoring club for some EUR40. Alternatively you can buy an Internaional Driving Permit from your country's national auto club for a lot less before you go abroad.

    Tourists only need bring their good old domestic license. However, if staying beyond a year and not an armed forces member, you may need to get a German license (Führerschein). Prerequisites are a valid license from your country and residence in Germany for more than six months but not more than three years. However, citizens of certain countries enjoy what's known as Pruuml;fungsfreiheit, which means they are not subject ot either written or road tests to get their licenses transferred. These countries include all EU member states, Andorra, the Channel Islands, Hungary, Iceland, Japan, South Korea, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, New Caledonia, Norway, French Polynesia, San Marino, Slovenia, and Switzerland&151;each outstanding, as everyone knows, for their ambiance of excellent drivers. (But even citizens of these so-favored nations will have to pay a fee of EUR35 to transfer their licenses if they are sticking around beyond the one-year limit.) Some US states do enjoy such full reciprocity. A local German driver's license office (Fuuml;hrerscheinstelle) can inform you of your particular responsibilities. In Frankfurt, this office is at Mainzerlandstrsse 321 and is open Monday and Wednesday from 7 am to 1 pm, Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30 am to 1 pm; tel. 069 212 42 334. There's a special test called Prüfung for new residents. It's difficult. The first portion, administered at the local traffic office (Verkehrsamt), covers rules, signs, vocab and energy conservation. If you pass, you can move on to a driving school (Fahrschule) to take the hour-long on-the-road driving portion. Pass and your license is good forever. Driving schools conduct preparatory courses. Go for the short rules and signs class for new residents rather than the full driving course, which very expensive and extensive. If a school doesn't offer the special short course for new residents, find one that does.

    Equipment

    You must carry a warning triangle (Warndreick) in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. All vehicles must be equipped with a first-aid kit (Verbandkasten) and spare bulbs are required. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

    Concessions for Hostellers

    Scandinavian Seaways offers discounts on its ferry service between Hamburg, Germany, and Harwich or New Castle, England, for groups of 10 or more, members being under 26 years of age.

    Stena Sealink Line offers a 10 percent discount on its ferry service between Göteborg, Sweden, and Kiel, Germany; but tickets are obtainable only at Terra Nova Travel Sections in Sweden and are valid for Monday through Thursday travel from June through August.

    The ferry service between Luxhaven, Germany, and Helgoland (a Danish Island) is discounted for groups of 6 or more, members being under 23 years of age.

    Non-toll Mountain Passes

  • B307/B181's Aachen Pass, Tegernsee to Jenbach, Austria. 941 meters; usually open in winter; maximum grade is 14.3 percent; minimum width is 5.9 meters (19 ft.); especially scenic; not recommended for caravans.
  • Fuel

    In general major credit cards are accepted. Stations, though, are not half as prolific as in the USA. And don't expect to find any conveniently situated near airport rental locations. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called bleifrei normal or bleifrei super. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 95 or 98. Diesel is, in fact, called diesel. LPG is called autogas.

    Road Signs

    Abblendlicht             Dipped headlights
    Abstand halten           Maintain distance
    Alle Richtungen          All directions
    Altstadt                 Oldtown
    Anfang                   Start, beginning
    An geraden Tagen         On even days (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday)
    An ungeraden Tagen       On odd days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday)
    An Sonn- und Feiertagen  On Sundays and holidays
    Anleiger Frei            Certain permits void this restriction
    Anschluß                 Junction
    Anwohner Frei            Residents are free of this restriction
    Auf dem Seitenstreifen   On the shoulder
    Ausfahrt                 Exit
    Autobahndreieck          Autobahn "T" junction
    Autobahnkreuz            Autobahn junction
    Bauarbeiten              Roadworks
    Baustelle                Roadworks
    Baustellenfahrzeuge frei Construction vehicles only
    Baustofflagerung         Roadwork equipment
    Bei Nässe                During wet conditions
    Belegt                   Full
    Besetzt                  Full
    Bitte Sauberhalten       Please keep this a clean place
    Bis                      Until
    Centrum                  City Center
    Dauer                    Duration
    Durchfahrt verboten      No through traffic
    Einbahnstraße            One-way street
    Einfahrt                 Entrance
    Einordnen                Enter the lane, merge
    Einsatzfahrzeuge frei    Operations vehicles only
    Ende                     End
    Fahrbahnwechsel          Change lanes
    Fahrtrichtung            Direction of travel  
    Frei                     Free, permitted
    Freiefahrt               Road is clear
    Frostchäden              Frost damage
    Fußgänger                Pedestrian
    Eigen                    Own                
    Gasse                    Lane
    Gefahr/gefährlich        Danger, risk
    Gesamte                  Entire
    Glatteisgefahr           Icy road
    Grenze                   Border
    Grenze Kontrolle         Customs inspection
    Halt                     Stop
    Haltestelle              Bus/tram stop
    Keine, Kein              No
    Keine einfahrt           No entry
    Keine mofas              No mopeds
    Kfz.                     Motor vehicle
    Kraftfahrzeugwerkstatt   Motor vehicle repair shop
    Krankenfahrzeuge frei    Ambulances only
    Kreuzung                 Intersection
    Land- und forstwirt-
      schaftlicher Verker
      frei                   Agricultural and forestry vehicles only
    Landschafts Schutzgebiet No parking
    Langsam fahren           Drive slowly
    Licht einschalten        Turn on lights
    Lieferverkehr frei       Delivery vehicles only
    Linienverkehr frei       Scheduled transit vehicles only
    Links einbiegen          Turn left
    Lösen                    Take
    Lkw.                     Heavy trucks
    Mittwoche                Wednesdays
    Nur                      Only
    Nur mit Parkschein       Only with a parking permit ticket
    Parkhaus                 Parking garage
    Parkplatz                Parking lot
    Parkscheibe              Parking disc
    Parkschein               Parking permit ticket
    Parkscheinautomat        Parking permit ticket machine
    Parkuhr                  Parking meter
    Pkw.                     Private/passenger vehicles
    Polizei                  Police 
    Radweg kreutz            Bicycle-path crossing
    Raststätte               Service area
    Rechts einbiegen         Turn right
    Rechts fahren            Keep right
    Rollsplitt               Loose Material
    Sackgasse                Dead end, cul-de-sac
    Schlechte Wegstrecke     Bad section of road
    Schulbus                 School bus
    Schülerlotse             School crossing guard
    Seitenstreifen nicht 
      befahrbar              Do not use shoulder
    Sperrgebeit              Restricted area
    Sperrung                 Closure
    Spur                     Traffic lane
    Stadtzcentrum            Town center
    Stadmitte                Town center
    Stau                     Slow traffic;drive with care
    Straße                   Street
    Straßenbahn              Streetcar
    Straßenschäden           Road damage
    Streugut                 Road salt/sand
    Stunde(n)                Hour(s)            
    Tankstelle               Fuel station
    Überholen                Passing
    Überholen verboten       No passing
    Umleitung                Detour
    Unfall                   Accident; drive with care
    Verboten                 Prohibited
    Verengte Fahrbahn        Road narrows
    Verkehr                  Traffic
    Verkehrshelfer           School crossing guard
    Verschmutzte Fahrbahn    Dirt on the road
    Vorfahrt                 Priority (right of way)
    Vorfahrt beachten        Yield
    Vorfahrtstraße           Priority road
    Vorrang                  Priority (right of way)
    Vorsicht                 Be careful
    Weg                      Way, lane
    Werktags                 Workdays
    Wochentage               Weekdays
    Wohnwagen                Caravan, motorhome, RV
    Zentrum                  Town center
    Zufahrt frei             Access permitted
    

    The word bahnhof, whether alone or incorporated in another word, indicates a train station. International sections of the Autobahn are signified by green rectangles bearing an E; while the letter A is used to signify intranational sections of the Autobahn. National roads are marked by black numbers on a yellow background. Unlike in the USA, there are few roadside signs which indicate the road number. Exit numbers are signed on the 300-meters-to-exit sign, which is depicted below. A U on a blue sign is sometimes used to indicate a detour. If two numbers are given where you would expect to see a speed limit, these numbers represent the speed range. "SO" or Sonntag = Sunday; "MO" or Montag = Monday; "DI" or Dienstag = Tuesday; "MI" or Mittwoch = Wednesday; Werktage or Mittwoche = workdays or weekdays; "DO" or Donnerstag = Thursday; "FR" or Freitag = Friday; "SA" or Samstag or Sonnabend = Saturday.

    The hierarchy of the roads is well established. Forest and field ways (Wäldwege and Feldwege) are one-lane paved or unpaved (sealed or unsealed) roads a rung above a footpath. Access to a Waldweg is often restricted by a barrier. City streets (Straßen) are next up and of course run the gamut. County roads (Kreisstraßen) consist of two lanes running between smaller towns. Although officially denoted by a "K" preceding a number, this designation is not posted on signs. State roads (Landestraßen) are similar but connect larger towns. Likewise denoted by an "L" preceding a number, again unposted. Federal roads (Bundestraßen) are bigger and denoted by a "B" number, in this case posted. These are usually two lanes but can swell to four or six, at which point they are considered expressways (Kraftfahrstraße, otherwise known as Autobahnähnlich or "Autobahn-similar" roads) and are marked by a square blue sign bearing a white head-on view of a car. Motor vehicles only may travel these Autobahn-similar expressways. Emergency phones are in place at 5 to 7 km intervals along the Bundestraßen. I detail the king of roads—the Autobahn—below. It is signified by an "A" prefix (non-posted) followed a one, two or three digit number, the third being employed for metropolitan spurs only. Unlike the USA's system of numbering North-South routes with odd numbers and East-West routes with even, the numbering follows no plan. Moreover the cardinal directions are not used as indicators. Instead city names serve this purpose.

    Autobahn 48 National Road 35 Exit Autobahn junction Danger: Sudden fog