andorra

Non-toll Mountain Passes

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

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:

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:

Several tunnels require tolls, but vehicles displaying the expressway disc get a 15 percent discount:

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.

Road Signs

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

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

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

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.

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 month	No parking from the 16th to the end of the month	End 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

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 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).

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

The word banegården indicates a train station.

Sightseeing	Compulsory 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

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 work	Prohibition 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.

Several tunnels require tolls.

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.

Non-toll Mountain Passes

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 pump gives unleaded gasoline, 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

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 month	No parking from the 16th to the end of the month	Parking 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:

In the South

Information Services

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

For regional information on road conditions call the following:

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

Beware of civilians illegally selling bogus tickets for the border crossing. Trailer and motor caravans are not allowed. However, if you do not intend to use yours for camping, Customs may allow it in. You may import 20 liters of spare fuel in a sealed steel container, but you must declare it and pay duty on it.

Equipment

Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers. Goggles are compulsory for motorcyclists riding a machine with a 50 cc or larger engine.

Fuel

Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98; the octane rating of super is 95. Credit cards are not accepted.

Driving

Speed limits are as follows: 40 km/h (25 mph) in built-up areas, 40 km/h (25 mph) outside built-up areas. Other limits are posted as necessary. The roads of the Upper Rock are very challenging; consider doing the Rock by taxi or a minibus service.

Parking

Parking on the street is allowed on Devil's Tower Road, Line Wall Road, in Queensway, and on Rosia Road. Parking garages are located at Catalan Bay, Casemates Square, Eastern Beach, and Grand Parade (near the lower cable car station). For the most part, the town center is closed to motor vehicles; park outside the city walls. Vehicles parked illegally are subject to wheel-clamping or towing. Go to the Centeral Police Station in Irish Town if yours is dispatched as such.

Banks

Open on Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 a.m. Some open on Friday until 6:00 a.m.

Shops

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

National Holidays

Jan 1; Mar 13; Easter; May Day; Spring Bank Holiday; Queen's Birthday; Late Summer Bank Holiday; Dec 25.

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.:12095, 15070 and 17705 kHz
4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 12095 and 15070 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, tel. 190; Fire or Ambulance, tel. 199. Britain's Royal Automobile Club agent is AM Capurro and Sons Ltd., 20 Line Wall Road, tel. 74813 or 75149.

greece

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: one carton of cigarettes or cigars, or 0.25 pounds of smoking tobacco; 1 liter of alcohol or 2 liters of wine; and gifts to a value of EUR30. There is no duty on articles intended for personal use. Foreign bank notes in excess of $1000 must be declared. There are no restrictions on traveler's checks. You may import an unlimited amount of Greek currency and export up to EUR120 plus USD1400 in foreign currencies. Importation of spare fuel is prohibited. The maximum period for temporary importation of a foreign-registered vehicle is 6 months. Details about your vehicle will be entered in your passport upon entry.

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle and fire extinguisher 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

Fuel

Many stations close at 7:00 p.m. Some stations accept credit cards. Lead-free is widely available. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91 or 92; the octane rating of super is 96 or 98. Unleaded gasoline is called amoliwdi wensina. Simply ask for amolivthee (the ending being pronounced "thee'). Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95.

Road Signs

The word stathmos indicates a train station.

Driving

Greece suffers Europe's worst accident rate in terms of the number of collisions per vehicle. Red traffic lights are often ignored, and other driving habits are typically dangerous. These facts stem from understandable frustrations due to terrible congestions, narrow roads and lack of parking space. Nevertheless traffic lights are generally observed. Short of refering to the typical driving as unreasonable, let's term it offensive but, given the context, reasonably so.

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 10 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 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) for cars and 40 km/h (25 mph) for motorcycles in built-up areas, 110 km/h (68 mph) for cars and 70 km/h (44 mph) for motorcycles outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h (75 mph) for cars and 90 km/h (56 mph) for motorcycles on expressways.

Some roads are three lanes wide: the middle lane is used for passing in both directions. If there is little room to pass on the road, fast drivers expect slow drivers to pull onto the shoulder in order to let them by. On narrow roads in the countryside drivers must constantly be on the lookout for oncoming, passing vehicles.

Multitone horns are illegal. Use of a vehicle's horn in towns is allowed only in cases of immediate and extreme danger.

Passing is illegal when approaching a train crossing that isn't equipped with a barrier.

Fines should be paid to the public treasury, not to a police officer.

During weekdays all privately owned vehicles bearing Greek license plates are restricted from the center-zone ("daktilio") according to their plate number: those vehicles bearing odd-numbered plates may occupy the center-zone on odd-numbered days, those with even-numbered plates may do so on even days. The restriction does not apply on weekends.

Parking

You are not supposed to park within 3 meters of a fire hydrant, within 5 meters of an intersection, or within 15 meters of a public transportation stop, though practically no one follows this rule. If you park in a No Parking zone in Athens or certain other areas, the police may remove your license plates if you owe a traffic fine or fines.

Camping

Greece is a great place to camp, but the campgrounds are not as fancy as those in Northern Europe. Free-camping is illegal without the appropriate permission.

Banks

Open Monday through Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; and Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Shops

Open from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Open from 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every other day but Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Epiphany; Shrove Mon; Mar 25; Good Fri; Easter Mon; Labor Day; Whit Mon; Aug 15; Oct 28; 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.: 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. 100 (Athens, Corfu, Patras, Piraeus, Thessaloniki) or 109 (Athens' suburbs); Fire, tel. 199; Ambulance, in Athens tel. 166 (see the phone directory in other towns). The Automobile and Touring Club of Greece (ELPA), FIA and AIT member, 2–4 Messogion St., 115 27 Athens, tel. 748 8800, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturdays. ELPA provides 24-hour road-side assistance (OVELPA) free of charge to tourists within town limits; tel. 104. Outside town limits, ELPA provides the service for a charge. This service extends to the islands of Crete and Corfu. Another motoring club is the Hellenic Touring Club, AIT member, 12 Politechniou St., Athens 104 33, tel. 52 40 854 or 52 48 600, office hours on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

hungary

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of spirits, and 250 grams of perfume. Items intended for personal use may be imported duty free as well. A 30 percent customs charge is enforced on gifts valued in Hungary at more than 10,000 Ft. Keep all receipts from items purchased from Intertourist, Képcsarnok Vállalat, or Konsumtourist. You need a special permit to export works of art valued at more than 1000 Ft. It's illegal to import or export spare fuel. Visitors must possess the equivalent of at least 5000 Ft in cash, a requirement that's waved, however, for those with a credit card, a letter of invitation, or accommodation vouchers issued by a travel agency.

License

Non European licenses and old-style green European licenses must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. EC format pink/green licenses, however, are acceptable without an IDP.

Insurance

Third party insurance is compulsory in Hungary; the number plate and symbol indicating country of origin are accepted as evidence of insurance for motorists arriving from the following countries: A, B, CS, SK, DK, GR, SF, F, NL, IRL, IS, YU, SLO, HR, L, GB, D, I, P, E, CH, S.

A green card is required by owners of vehicles arriving from countries not listed above. In absence of a green card border insurance must be purchased on entry.

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers riding machines which have 50 cc or larger engines and which can reach speeds of over 50 km/h (30 mph).

Tolls

All vehicles must pay a toll on the M1 between Györ and Austria. For all personal vehicles not taller than 1.9 meters the cost is 1400 Ft. A toll must be paid also on the M3 between Budapest and Gyöngyös and on the M5 between Budapest and Kiskunfélegyháza. Other motorways are free. Some of the motorways are under construction and tolls are always changing.

Fuel

Road Signs

Road signs are the same as those used in other countries of Europe.
 

Detour for vehicles over 15 metric tons	Lane reserved for buses from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Driving

All vehicles having crossed a railway have priority if there is a cross street after the railway crossing. Trams and buses always have priority. Pedestrians have priority at marked pedestrian crossings and at intersections, but they don't have priority between tram loading islands and the far sidewalks. Bicycle lanes are indicated by a continuous yellow stripe.

Passing should occur on the left. But where tram rails run in the center of the road, trams or other vehicles turning left must be passed on the right. Buses leaving stops have priority after the driver has signaled her intention to pull away.

Parking

Camping

Camping is quite popular in Hungary. Most grounds stay open from May 1 to September 30 and are crowded during high season. Free-camping is illegal without the appropriate permission.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (1:00 or 3:00 p.m. on Friday).

Shops

National Holidays

Jan 1; Pünkösd Mon; Mar 15; Easter Mon; Aug 20; Oct 23; Dec 25, 26.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15575 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

Telephone

Information

Breakdown, Accidents or Emergency

Police, tel. 107; Fire, tel. 105; Ambulance, tel. 104. Report accidents to the police and to the Hungarian State Insurance Company within 24 hours (H-1113 Budapest, Hamzsabégi út 60, tel. 466-5023). The police give you a document which you must show at the border upon leaving the country; vehicles with damaged bodywork may only leave the country with an official certificate. The Hungarian Automobile Club operates the "Yellow Angels" breakdown service 24 hours a day, tel. 188. Emergency telephones are in place along the major highways. The motoring club is Magyar Autóklub (MAK), FIA and AIT member, Rómer Flóris utca 4/a, 1024 Budapest II, tel. 2123 952 or 2122 821, office hours on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and on Friday until 3:00 p.m. For MAK 24-hour breakdown service in Budapest, tel. 1 691 831. Emergency telephones are located every 2 km along highways.

Driving

The speed limit on tarmac roads is 90 km/h (55 mph); on gravel roads it is 80 km/h (48 mph); and in populated areas it is 50 km/h (30 mph).

A vehicle's headlights must be on when it is being driven — day or night. All vehicle occupants must wear seat belts.

There are many one-lane bridges: take turns crossing!

Be careful of leoose gravel. You may not be used to driving on gravel roads, and they can be dangerous. Sometimes the road surface changes suddenly from tarmac to gravel. Before this happens it is vital to reduce speed; apply the brakes gently; though it is often not easy to see such changes coming. When cars meet or pass on gravel roads there is a danger of loose stones being thrown up by the tires; of course this danger can be reduced by slowing down. The shoulder of gravel roads is often soft and drivers must be careful not to let the outside wheels skid in the soft gravel.

Highland roads may become impassable at very short notice. Investigate weather and road conditions before setting off. The weather in Iceland changes very quickly: not only from day to day but even several times in the same day. As a result the the rivers and streams often swell quickly. There have been some tragic accidents involving foreign tourists who have tried to cross unbridged rivers in the highlands. Even when people use the right place to cross, many forget that heavy rain or melting snow may mean that a river is dangerous. Spring-fed rivers may rise with rain, while glacial rivers carry more water in warm and sunny weather. Never try to corss a river with a lot of water if you are driving a small car with an unprotected engine. Try to cross in convoy with other vehicles so that help is available. Wear warm clothes and alwsy have brightly colored protective clothing.

Of course in winter, roads are often snow covered. Salt is not used and streets and roads are not ploughed with great frequency. Water often freezes at higher air temperatures than foreigners are used to associating with icy roads, for the angle of the sun during winter is so low that far less warming radiation reaches the ground. Of course all vehicles have snow tires and these are quite effective. Driving in snow is an art form which the residents have perfected. Study how they use both slowness and speed to drive safely.

On many country roads you'll encounter hills over which it is impossible to see oncoming traffic. In many cases these hills are signposted "BLINDHAED" (blind rise).

You are supposed to slow to a crawl when passing a horse and rider along a country road; the rider should acknowledge your courtesy by waving thanks. (You'll be amazed at the number of beautiful Icelandic horses and the number of horse riders you'll see in Iceland.) Always give right of way to domestic animals. A driver who injures or kills an owned animal is required by law to pay compensation to the owner.

BBC Radio Frequencies

648, 6195, 9410, and 12010 kHz

Voice of America Radio Frequencies

792, 1197, 9760, and 15260 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Tel. 1777 or 1779; police, tel. 112.

republic of ireland

Customs

You may import free of duty the following goods if they were not taxed in the EC: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of alcoholic beverage consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume or 2 liters of alcoholic beverage consisting of under 22 percent alcohol by volume, 50 grams of perfume, 0.25 liters of toilet water, and other goods to a value of EUR45 per person (EUR22 for persons under 15 years of age)—up to 12 liters of beer is included in this last allowance. You may import free of duty the following goods if they were taxed in the EC: 800 cigarettes, 10 liters of spirits, 45 liters of wine, and 55 liters of beer. Domestic cats and dogs from outside the United Kingdom, or other types of animals from outside Northern Ireland, cannot be imported. Irish Customs will issue a permit of temporary importation to drivers of caravans and to drivers of cars towing trailers and caravans. A vehicle that is temporarily imported cannot be driven by an Irish citizen.

Equipment

Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

Concessions for Hostellers

Irish Ferries offers discounts on their services between LeHarve, France, and Rosslare, Ireland, and between Cherbourg, France, and Rosslare, Ireland

Stena Sealink Line offers 25 percent discounts on their services between Britian and Ireland. The discount does not apply to service between Stranraer, Scotland, and Larne, Northern Ireland, on Friday and Saturday sailings during July and August.

Aran Ferries TEO offers a 10 percent discount on round trip to the Aran Islands.

Island Ferry Service offers a 14 percent discount on return journey from Baltimore to Cape Clear and a 25 percent discount on single fares for those over 18 years of age from Burtonport to Aranmore.

Michael Nee Car and MiniBus Hire, Canal Stage, Ballinafad, Co. Galway, offers a 10 percent discount on car and bike hire.

National Bus Company (CIE) offers discounts.

Rail/Bus Rambler Tours make discounted packages available to hostellers. Also, special rates for hostellers wishing to visit the Aran Islands from Indreabheán Youth Hostel.

Rent-a-Bike Centers at Lower Gardiner St., Dublin and Rosslare Harbor, Co. Wexford, offer a 10 percent reduction on bicycle hire.

Available from Killarney Youth Hostel: discounts on local tours and half price on Bus Éireann services from Killarney.

Tolls

There's a thirty-minute car ferry across the River Shannon between Tarbert in Co. Kerry to Killimer in Co. Clare. The ferry leaves Killimer every hour on the hour and Tarbert every hour on the half-hour. The cost per car is EUR16 one way; foot passengers and cyclists pay EUR4. Contact Shannon Ferry Ltd., tel. 065 53124. There's a ten-minute car ferry operating continuously which takes one hour off the driving time between Ballyhack, Co. Wexford, and Passage East, Co. Waterford. First sailing occurs at 7:20 a.m. on weekdays, 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, with last sailing at 10:00 p.m. (summer) or 8:00 p.m. (winter). The cost per car, including passengers, is EUR4.50 one way; foot passengers pay 80p; car loads pay EUR7 for return passage; foot passengers pay EUR1.30, tel. 051 82480.

Fuel

Stations are usually open from 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but some stay open 24 hours. Credit cards are accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98; the octane rating of unleaded super is 95.

Road Signs

Primary highways are marked by an N (for National) and a number between one and twenty-five. Secondary highways are marked by an N and a number above fifty. County roads are marked with an R (for Regional). All T (Trunk) and L (Link) routes are being renumbered as N or R roads; you'll encounter both old and new signs. What's more, road signs are often in both Irish (Gaelic) and English; but in the northwest, most are solely in Irish. The "yield" sign is a red triangle with its point down and bearing the words "Yield Right of Way" or "Geill sli". Distances are marked in kilometers on the new green signposts and in miles on the old white signposts. Speed limits tend to be listed in miles per hour. Be sure you have the correct papers if you want to drive between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Don't drive on roads near the border which are marked "Unapproved Road".

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 17 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age to sit in the front seat (unless the seat is equipped with a child restraint). The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent. Generally, speed limits are as follows: 48 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 96 km/h (60 mph) outside built-up areas, and 112 km/h (70 mph) on expressways. Cars towing a trailer are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) on all roads.

Horns cannot be used between 11:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. It's illegal to use fog lights except in fog or falling snow. However, the majority of drivers use the front foglights from dusk to dawn anyway — and without suffering retribution from the police. Indeed, driving with these lights and the side lights swtiched on seems to be all the fashion.

Parking

Except where there are yellow lines on the road and except within a bus stop area, any restrictions you encounter are lifted after 6:00 p.m. Penalties for dangerous parking are stiff. Parking in Dublin is especialy very difficult now, and the police there employ wheel clamps. Generally, parking meters are checked from 8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. from Monday through Saturday; maximum parking time is 2 hours. Fines may be collected on the spot for parking violations. Tip lot attendants about 20p when you exit. Cork and Limerick employ the parking disc system in their central areas. A disc allows for 1 to 3 hours of parking.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Shops

Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day but Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Mar 17; Easter; first Mon in June and Aug; last Mon in Oct; 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, Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 999. Royal Irish Automoble Club, Dawson St. 34, Dublin, C.2, tel. 01 77 51 41.

italy

Customs

You may import free of duty the following goods if they were not taxed in the EC: 300 cigarettes or 150 cigarillos or 75 cigars, 1.5 liters of spirits, 5 liters of still wine, 75 milliliters of perfume. You may import free of duty the following goods if they were taxed in the EC: 400 cigarettes and cigars or 500 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of spirits, and 2 liters of still wine. Two still cameras and one video camera may be imported free of duty. A maximum of EUR10,400 in bank notes may be imported or exported. It's illegal to import or carry spare fuel.

License

Non European licenses and old-style green European licenses must be accompanied by an International Driving Permit. EC format pink/green licenses, however, are acceptable without an IDP.

Equipment

Tolls

Tolls are charged on the autostrade. Tickets are obtained upon entry to the expressway system and paid upon exiting. Tolls (except in Sicily) can be paid with cash, a Viacard, or a credit card. (You can purchase a Via Card from toll booths, fuel stations, some banks, tourist offices, and tobacconists. They are accepted on all routes except the A18 and A20.) In using an automatic booth, first insert your ticket into the indicated slot. Then insert either your money (coins or cash) or your credit card. Note: the same slot that accepts the ticket is the slot that accepts credit cards. You do not have to sign a receipt when you use a credit card. Personel do hover around the automatic booths, administering help to confused foreign motorists. In regard to the toll booths, note that the word "Telekart" does not mean credit card.

Vehicles are classified as follows.

1. Car whose height as measured vertically from the front axle is less than 1.3 meter, or a motorcycle.
2. Three-wheeled vehicle or a vehicle whose height as measured vertically from the front axle is greater than 1.3 meters. Tolls for these vehicles are virtually the same amount as tolls for category-1 vehicles.
3. Vehicle or combination of vehicles with 3 axles. Tolls for these vehicles are, on average, 29 percent greater than tolls for category-1 vehicles.
4. Vehicle or combination of vehicles with 4 axles. Tolls for these vehicles are, on average, 2 times greater than tolls for category-1 vehicles.
5. Vehicle or combination of vehicles with 5 axles. Tolls for these vehicles are, on average, 2.42 times greater than tolls for category-1 vehicles.

The following tunnels connect Italy to Austria, France or Switzerland and require a toll.

Tolls are charged on the following mountain passes.

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's not allowed on or recommended for some of the following passes or if you want to travel quickly across or through the mountains, a mountain pass or tunnel which charges a toll tends to be close by.

Fuel

Fuel stations along expressways are open 24 hours. Along other roads, fuel stations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. from May through September; from October through April the stations close at 7:00 p.m. Credit cards are accepted. Only 25 percent of non-expressway fuel stations are open on Sunday and public holidays; those that are open on Sunday close on Monday. If a fuel station is closed, it displays its hours and the location of the next station. Some stations, however, have pumps that accept bills automatically. Fuel prices are regulated by the government, so don't waste time shopping around. Prices along the autostrade are EUR0.01 lire higher per liter, and EUR0.01 lire more are added per liter for night service (unless the pump automatically accepts bills or credit cards). Credit cards are accepted at autostrade stations and at some 75 percent of stations on lesser roads. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 85 or 88; the octane rating of super is 98 or 100. Unleaded gasoline is called benzina sensa piombo, super bleifri, or super senza. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95. Diesel is called gasolio. LPG is called GPL (gas liquido). It's illegal to carry spare fuel.

Road Signs

A city center (i.e., downtown) is also indicated by a sort of bull's eye sign.

Autostrade (toll expressways; indicated by green signs), superstrade (non-toll express highways), strade stratali (main roads), strade provinciali (secondary roads) and strade comunali (local roads) combine to offer efficient and interesting options for driving. The word stazione indicates a train station.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children 4–12 years of age must use a special restraint. The use of seat belts is compulsory both for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (55 mph) on secondary roads outside built-up areas, 110 km/h (68 mph) on main roads outside built-up areas, and 150 km/h (93 mph) on expressways. On expressways, cars with engines smaller than 1090 cc and motorcycles with engines smaller than 150 cc are limited to 110 km/h (68 mph). Cars towing a caravan or trailer, and caravans over 12 tons, are limited to 70 km/h (44 mph) outside built-up areas and to 80 km/h (50 mph) on expressways. Caravans between 3.5 and 12 tons are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, and to 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways. Expressway speeds are reduced to 110 km/h (68 mph) during the following: Saturday and Sunday, the Thursday before Easter through the Wednesday after, midweek national holidays, December 20 through January 7, and from the Saturday before the second Sunday in July through the first Sunday in September.

Headlights are required from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise. Headlights should also be used under bridges and in tunnels. Only use foglights in conditions of poor visibility. Use of the horn is prohibited in built-up areas except in cases of immediate and extreme danger; at night flash your horns instead. Outside built-up areas, however, you must use the horn to signal your intention to pass.

The middle lane of three-lane roads is for passing. Passing on the right is permitted when the driver ahead has signaled a left turn and has moved to the center of the road or when multiple lanes are traveling in your direction. By the way, don't be surprised to find Italians paying remarkably little respect to lane definition. In other words, they drive all over the road.

Anything hanging off the end of a vehicle, such as a bicycle, must be tagged with a reflective red and white striped sign 50 cm square. The signs are sold at most automotive shops in Italy. You may be fined EUR50 if you fail to satisfy this requirement.

Police are empowered to revoke your license and to collect fines on the spot. For foreign-registered vehicles, police can collect one-fourth of the maximum fine on the spot. If you contest the fine, you must deposit half the maximum amount in cash (foreign is OK) or in the form of a surety.

To thwart car theives, police are increasingly subjecting foreign-registered vehicles to spot checks. To pass such a check, operators must present vehicle and personal identification documents—including written permission from the owner if it's a borrowed vehicle. Vehicles which don't pass may be confiscated.

Parking

Generally, parking is on the right side of the road. Parking in a Blue Zone or Zona Disco is for limited time periods. Parking discs for these zones may be obtained at fuel stations, tourist offices, and motor club offices. When parked in these zones from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday (except holidays) your vehicle must display a parking disc. Maximum parking time during these periods is one hour. Some cities also have Green Zones or Zona Verde where parking is prohibited from 8:00 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays.

In Florence, all vehicles are banned from the city center from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays; visitors may enter the center in their vehicle during these times to load or unload but must then move on to park outside the center.

In Rome a sign reading "zona tutelato" indicates that parking is prohibited from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. on weekdays; punishment for violating this ordinance may include a prison sentence.

In Venice, parking is very difficult to find. Park instead at one of the mainland car parks; you can take a bus or ferry from there to the city. The parking facility at Mestre used to have a reputation as a haunt of thieves. In the Tronchetto garage, park on the left side, not on the right. These mainland facilities are linked to the island by ferry and bus services. A good alternatively to these garages is the parking lot at the Fusina campground, on the mainland almost directly west but slightly south of Venice. This lot is popular and quite safe. The boat from the campground and parking facility leaves for Venice at 40 minutes past every hour, from 8:40 to 22:40; it leaves Venice and returns to the facility at 10 minutes past every hour from 9:10 to 23:10. You pay as you drive in to the lot. After parking your car, the trick is to walk to the campground office to buy your ticket(s) for the boat, thus avoiding the long line which forms at the parking lot's office for such boat tickets. This maneuver might save you an hour or more in line for the boat, for at least during the summer the boat can rarely accommodate the full number of people waiting to board it.

Naples (along with Seville, Spain) is Europe's most infamous lair of thieves. Furthermore, driving in Naples is notoriously difficult. Instead of taking your vehicle into Naples, stay on the Ischia or Sorrento Peninsula. For quick transport to the city, take the catamaran or aliscafi.

Camping

In high season it's best to arrive early in the day to get a spot in a popular campground. Free-camping is illegal without the appropriate permission, but it's quite tolerated regardless. Signs reading "Camper Service" or "Euro-Relais" indicate water and dumping facilities for motorhomes.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:45 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:30 or 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 or 8:00 p.m. Open until noon on Saturday.

National Holidays

Jan 1, Easter Mon; Apr 25; Labor Day; Aug 15; Nov 1; Dec 8, 25, 26.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

In the North:

In the South:

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, tel. 113; Fire, tel. 115; Ambulance, tel. 118. The Automobile Club d'Italia (ACI), FIA and AIT member, Via Marsala 8, 00185 Rome, tel. 06 49921, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday through Saturday, operates a breakdown service on all roads, tel. 116. This service offers free tows to visitors driving in Italy with foreign license plates or with a car rented at the Rome or Milan airports. Renters must show plane tickets and the car rental contract to get the service free of charge. Another club is the Touring Club Italiano (TCI), AIT member, Corso Italia 10, 20122 Milan, tel. 02 85261, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday; tel. 8526263 for information on their breakdown service.

luxembourg

Customs

Equivalent to Belgian customs allowances.

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle in your vehicle; though this does not apply to motorcyclists. Motorcyclists and their passengers must wear helmets.

Fuel

Generally, major credit cards are accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called essence sans plomb. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 95. It's illegal to carry spare fuel.

Road Signs

The word gare indicates a train station.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children under 12 years of age, or less than 1.5 meters tall, and seated in the front seat must be in a safety seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for the driver and for passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 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. Limits for cars towing a trailer are as follows: 75 km/h (46 mph) outside built-up areas, and 90 km/h (56 mph) on expressways.

Generally, traffic on the right has priority. Common knowledge of this rule supplants Stop and Yield signs in many cities.

Motorcycles must be operated with the headlights on—night and day. Do not use the horn in built-up areas or at night, except in the case of immediate and extreme danger. Use the horn outside built-up areas during daylight hours to warn of your intention to pass or to warn of your approach on mountain roads. Also use the horn in weather conditions that significantly restrict visibility. Flash your lights to indicate your intention to pass.

Passing is allowed on the left only.

Police are empowered to collect fines—usually equaling EUR15 per offense, but occasionally as high as EUR75—on the spot.

Parking

Blue Zone parking zones exist in Dudelange, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg City, and Wiltz. Parking discs for these zones can be obtained from the ACL motoring club, police stations, shops, and tourist offices. Luxembourg city has parking meters and machines that dispense parking tickets. Wheel clamps are placed on illegally parked vehicles.

Camping

Free-camping without appropriate permission is illegal.

Banks

Generally open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Shops

Open from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every day but Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Carnival Day, mid February; Easter Mon; May Day; Ascension; Whit Mon; June 23; Aug 15; All Saints; All Souls; Dec 25, 26.

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. 113; Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 112. Automobile Club du Grand Duché de Luxembourg (ACL), FIA and AIT, 54 route de Longwy, 8007 Bertrange, tel. 450045-1, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays.

netherlands

Customs

You may import free of duty the following goods if they were not taxed in the EC: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250 grams of tobacco, 2 liters of wine or 1 liter of alcohol consisting of more than 22 percent alcohol by volume, 50 grams of perfume or 25 centiliters of toilet water, and other goods to the value of EUR60. Limits are very lax on goods if they were taxed in the EC. For example, you may import free of duty the following such goods: 800 cigarettes, 10 liters of liquor consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume or 90 liters of wine or 110 liters of beer. Tobacco and alcohol allowances are for those at least 17 years of age. All personal items are considered free of duty, assuming you plan to take them with you when you leave. There is no limit on the import and export of Euro currency. You can import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

Equipment

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

Concessions for Hostellers

North Sea Ferries offers discounts on its service between Rotterdam, Netherlands, and Hull, England.

Stena Sealink Line ferry services between Hoek van Holland, Netherlands, and Harwich, England, offers discounts of up to 40 percent.

Tolls

Between Breskens and Vlissingen and between Perkpolder and Kruiningen a car ferry runs across the Westerschelde estuary. Journey times are 20 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively, and journeys are frequent.

The ferries to the islands in the North don't carry visitors' cars, only the cars of locals. The exception is the ferry from the city of Den Helder to Texel, the most western of the the so-called Waddeneilanden.

No toll is charged any longer to cross the Waalbridge (Prins Willem Alexander Bridge).

Kiltunnel (Dordrecht to 's Gravendeel): EUR2 for cars and motorcycles.

Fuel

Major credit cards are accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called loodvrije benzine. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 95. Diesel is called dieselolie. LPG goes by its English name. Unlike in other contries, the LPG pumps are not put aside on a separate island; instead they are located beside the gasoline pumps. LPG is available at nearly all fuel stations near the expressways. In urban areas, however, LPG pumps are rather rare; law requires they be located at a remove of about 200 meters from other buildings.

Road Signs

Above the expressways near the bigger cities you'll see real-time traffic information signs helping you choose less congested routes. There are two keywords to be aware of: file followed by a kilometer reading indicates a traffic jam at that distanct ahead; reistijd indicates the traveling time to the indicated city.

International expressways are denoted by an E. Intranational expressways are signified by an A. Other highways are marked by an N. A blue sign bearing an illustration of a white house can mean children at play, pedestrians have priority, bicycles on the right have priority, or park only where you see a sign marked P. Signs with names written in white borders usually indicate a place within an urban area; sometimes this place is prefaced with the name of the urban area. The word station indicates a train station. A traffic pillar with green on top and yellow running down its long axis indicates that motor vehicles may pass on either side but other traffic must go to the right only.

The Hague is called Den Haag in Dutch, and sometimes is signposted with the older name s' Gravenhage. Other cities with double names are Den Bosch ('s Hertogenbosch) and Gorinchem (Gorkum). In the northern province Friesland the regional language might be officially used, but in all such cases the Dutch names must be used also.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. To sit in the front seat, children must be at least 3 years of age and in a safety seat; younger children must sit in a safety seat in the rear. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-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, 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, and 100 km/h (60 mph) or 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways (unless another limit is signposted). When on urban expressways look especially for small yellow 100-km/h signs atop the crash barrier of the expressways. The minimum speed limit on expressways is 60 km/h (37 mph). Cars towing a trailer or caravan must observe an 80 km/h (50 mph) limit outside built-up areas.

Priority roads are denoted by a white-bordered, yellow-orange, diamond-shaped sign or, of course, by the international priority sign. Trams have priority where roads of equal importance intersect. Bicyclists proceeding straight through an intersection always have priority. Cycle lanes exist on each side of most main roads. Cycle lanes denoted by broken lines may be used by motor vehicles if this does not interfere with cyclists. Pedestrians on crosswalks always have priority.

Use your horn whenever you present a risk to traffic. At night flash your headlights instead.

It's illegal to cross a continuous white line at any time, even when turning. Trams should be passed on the right unless it's safer to pass on the left. Trams should be passed only on the right, unless there is no room on the right, in which case they can be passed on the left. Trams should not be passed when passengers are boarding or alighting. Signs which state that overtaking is prohibited do not apply to motorcycles.

In some areas, police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. Speeding in a work-in-progress area (Werk in uitvoering) carries fines about 35 to 50 percent higher than normal.

Parking

Vehicles parked publicly overnight need to be somehow illuminated unless they're in a parking ramp or in a built-up area and within 30 meters of a street light. Do not park near a bus stop where the road or curb or pavement is painted black-and-white or yellow. Blue Zones exist in most towns and are indicated by the standard No Parking sign bearing the words "Parkeer Zone". (A series of slashes across the sign indicates the end of the zone.) Parking discs for these zones can be obtained from police stations, ANWB motoring club offices, and tobacconists. Wheel clamps are placed on illegally parked vehicles.

Camping

Campgrounds are generally of high quality and are rated from one to five with both stars and flags, the stars signifying the cleanliness of the campground and the flags representing the spectrum of facilities. Dump stations are rare. An International Camping Carnet is not required. There are many small grounds, usually located on farms, limited to ten sites. Free-camping without appropriate permission is illegal and is not well tolerated.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (or later). Banks in small towns often close at 4:00 p.m. and might be closed on some mornings and/or afternoons.

Shops

In bigger cities supermarkets are open until 8:00 p.m. at least. Open from 8:30 or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 or 5:30 a.m. every day but Sunday. Some close for Monday morning. Some stay open until 9:00 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Good Fri; Easter Mon; April 30; May 5; Ascension; Whit Mon; Dec 25, 26.

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, Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 112. The most helpful motoring club is Koninklijke Nederlandsche Toeristenbond (ANWB), AIT member, Wassenaarsweg 220, the Hague, tel. 0800 0888 (toll free) or 070 314 7147, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Uniformed ANWB mechanics called Wegenwacht (road watch) patrol the highways 24 hours a day in their trademark yellow cars. The ANWB also maintains phone boxes along major roads. You may be required to buy temporary membership in the ANWB to take advantage of these services. Another motoring club is Koninklijke Nederlandsche Automobil Club (KNAC), FIA member, Binckhorstlaan 115, Den Haag 2516 BA, tel. 070 383 1612, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

A hospital is called Ziekenhuis. Signs bearing a lone "H" indicate a hospital. First aid is called SEH or SpoedEisende Hulp (urgently assistance required), or EHBO or Eerste Hulp Bij Ongelukken (first aid at accidents).

norway

Customs

Non-EC citizens over 16 years of age may import the following free of duty: 400 cigarettes or 500 grams of tobacco goods, souvenirs, and gifts to a value of NOK 3500. Persons over 20 years of age may import the following free of duty: 1 liter of wine, 1 liter of liquor or 2 liters of wine or beer. You can import 15 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

Info

License

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

Equipment

Children under 4 must sit in special safety seat. The fine for breaking this rule is 500 NOK. Snow tires are compulsory in the winter. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers. Caravans must use caravan mirrors, which should be folded down or removed when the vehicle is not being driven. Towed caravans which are up to 2.3 meters wide can be pulled by any sort of car, but those between 2.3 and 2.5 meters wide must be towed by a car at least as wide. The maximum length of a car/caravan combo is 18.5 meters. The maximum width of a motorhome is 2.5 meters; max length is 12.4 meters.

Tolls

For a brochure describing in great detail the myriad internal ferry services of Norway, contact the Norwegian Tourist Board.

There's an NOK 12 toll on vehicles up to 3.5 metric tons (3500 kg) entering the center of Oslo. Vehicles entering the center of Bergen must pay an NOK 5 toll on weekdays but not on weekends or public holidays. There's a similar NOK 11 toll charged on vehicles entering Trondheim's city center.

The following stretches of road impose tolls. We list the price in NOK for a private car (or a private car/trailer combo less than 3500 kg).

Road Closings

Several important roads are kept open all year. Road 134 from Oslo to Stavanger to Bergen to Drammen, across Haukelifjell mountain, is one such road. So is the E6 from Oslo to Trondheim, across Dovrefjell mountain. Some roads are closed for short periods because of snow, and others are closed by decree for the whole winter. The following roads are closed for some period during the year; the road number is given, followed by the road's county or the two cities it connects, and finally the rough dates during which weather may force the road to be closed.

Fuel

It's illegal to use diesel fuel from the red pump. This fuel is subsidized for farmers. Ink in it stains the tank. If you're found to have such a stained tank, the fine is about US$600. Fuel stations are usually open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on weekdays, though these times vary greatly; some stay open 24 hours. During weekends stations are open only in highly populated areas. Major credit cards are not always accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called blyfritt kraftstoff or blyfri and has an octane rating of 95. LPG (autogas) is sold at the following stations:

Roads Signs

The Norwegian word stasjon indicates a train station. Speed control bumps are not always signposted.

Parking prohibited (upper panel); parking allowed (lower panel)	Sightseeing	2-hour parking from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (4 p.m. on Saturday)	2-hour parking from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.	Road merges (black lane has priority)

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years, but you must be 18 to rent or borrow a Norwegian-registered vehicle. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent and penalties for exceeding it are extremely severe. (Medicines which should not be taken if you intend to drive soon thereafter are marked by a red triangle.) Speed limits are as follows: usually 30 km/h in residential areas (note: speed control bumps are not always signposted), 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80 km/h (50 mph) or 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 80 km/h (50 mph) or 90 km/h (56 mph) on expressways. Cars towing a caravan or trailer are limited outside built-up areas to 80 km/h (50 mph) if the towed vehicle has brakes, and to 60 km/h (37 mph) if the towed vehicle does not have brakes.

Trams always have priority. In mountainous areas, vehicles traveling downhill have priority; vehicles going up the hill must reverse into a passing bay if there's not enough room for two vehicles to pass. It is illegal to drive off-road.

One reader writes:

Important to WARN about the ridiculous rule regarding junctions. One must give way to the car in the intersection to the right hand side EVEN if your road is the through road at a T junction. You only have the right of way if you are on a "yellow diamond road" Use caution though as YDR's are often poorly marked and can suddenly change status with minimum warning. (If you don't see the sign you could be driving under the mistaken impression that you have the right of way, when suddenly a car pulls out in front of you.) To further compound the risk locals tend to not bother looking left nor slowing down for intersections, when they have right of way at an intersection.

You may wish to inquire about the exact rule definitions from the local authorities. My tip-off is based on "close calls" while living and driving in Norway.

Thanks for the time, F.E. Fait

Headlights must be on at all times while driving. Excessive use of horns is illegal.

Trams in Oslo should be passed on the right, but they may be passed on the left if there's no room on the right or if traveling on a one-way street.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

Parking on main roads or on bends is not allowed. A sign that reads "All stans forbudt" means No stopping allowed. Parking meters are differentiated as follows: Yellow = one-hour, Gray = two-hour, Brown = three-hour. Parking regulations are strictly enforced.

Camping

Normally the fixed price per site is 80 to 150 NOK, with additional charges per person. Many campgrounds rent bookable cabins—some quite spartan, some large and sporting one or two bedrooms, kitchen, shower and toilet. Prices range from 200 to 600 NOK. Often campgrounds accept an International Camping Carnet or the 60 NOK Norwegian Camping Card (Nosrk Campingkort), which entitle you to special deals and result in quicker service. The Norwegian card is sold at participating campsites. Some campgrounds may require one of these cards. Open fires are not allowed from April 15th to September 15th. Often only 2 Amps of power come through the electrical hookups. PRO-GAS plants in Bergen, Kristiansand, Oslo, Stavanger, and Trondheim can fill built-in propane tanks. As described earlier free-camping is generally practiced; just stay on uncultivated land at least 150 meters from the nearest residence for no more than two nights, and ask permission if it seems the thing to do. It is illegal to empty toilets outdoors. Rest stops and emptying sites for toilets are marked on the Norway Camping map available from the Norwegian Tourist Board. Also marked on that map are the roads unsuitable for caravans. The many lay-bys along the roads are not meant for overnight stays. Parking overnight on the roadside is OK, though, if you are not in the way. Some cities provide parking lots especially for motorhomes. You can contact the Norwegian Caravan Club at Norsk Caravan Club, Solheimveien 18, N-1473 Skårer, tel. 67 97 49 20, FAX 67 90 13 13.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., usually an hour longer on Thursday.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Open until 1:00 or 2:00 p.m. on Saturday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Maunday Thur; Good Fri; Easter Mon; Labor Day; May 17; Whit Mon; Ascension; Dec 24 (part), 25, 26.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

In the North:

In the South:

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, tel. 112; Fire, tel. 110; Ambulance, tel. 113. The Norges Automobil-Forbund (NAF), AIT member, Storgt. 2, N-0155 Oslo, tel. 22 34 14 00, FAX 22 33 13 73, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. The NAF maintains emergency telephones along mountain roads and from June 16th to August 14th operates a 24-hour service that patrols main roads and passes, tel. 22 34 16 00, FAX 22 42 88 30. To find out your nearest emergency pick up service contact Viking Redningstjeneste, tel. 800 32 900 (toll free) or 22 08 60 00; or Falken Redningskorps, tel. 800 30 050 or 22 95 00 00. Another motoring club is Kongelig Norsk Automobilklub (KNA), FIA member, Drammenasveien 20-C, N-0255 Oslo, tel. 22 56 10 09, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays (3:00 p.m. in summer). If you must use a telephone directory, look under redningstjeneste.

poland

Customs

Visitors over 17 years of age may import the following free of duty: items for personal use, 2 cameras and up to 24 rolls of film, 250 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco, 5 liters of beer, 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of spirits. The import or export of Polish legal tender without an appropriate permit is forbidden. There are no limits set on the import of foreign legal tender into Poland. Foreign tourists are requested to declare in writing all currencies which they bring into Poland. Vehicles permanently registered abroad are subject to temporary customs clearance, i.e., for the duration of the traveler's stay in Poland. Should such a vehicle not be taken out of the country, the owner is obliged to pay customs duty and turnover tax. You may import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

The following are designated border crossings.

It's common to queue for two hours on both sides of the Frankfurt am Oder/Swiecko crossing between Germany and Poland.

The Polish Motoring Association (PZM) maintains offices at all border crossings. These offices provide such services as currency exchange, insurance sales, sales of maps and tourist guides, and information about traveling conditions in Poland.

License

EC format pink/green license is accepted; old-style green or non-European license must be accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Equipment

Road Signs

Expressways are designated by the letter E.

Fuel

Most fuel stations now stay open 24 hours. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 94; the octane rating of super leaded is 98. Unleaded gasoline is called benzyna bezolowiowa. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 95; the octane rating of super unleaded is 98. A high proportion of fuel stations along highways sell LPG.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 17 years. Children under 10 years of age must be in a safety seat to sit in the front. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 60 km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, 130 km/h (78 mph) on expressways, and 70 km/h (44 mph) for cars with a caravan or trailer traveling outside built-up areas or on expressways. The minimum speed limit on expressways is 40 km/h (24 mph). Apart from built-up areas there are residential zones—marked by entry/exit signs—where the speed limit is 20 km/h (12 mph).

There are large numbers of horse-drawn wagons carrying agricultural products on the public roads during harvest periods. Unlit horse-drawn wagons are a particular hazard.

Motorcycles outside built-up areas must be operated with headlights on—night and day. Between November 1 and March 1, all vehicles must use headlights both night and day.

Use of horns is illegal in built-up areas. Use your vehicle's headlights to warn of your intention to pass. However, when passing in poor visibility you must use your vehicle's horn to give warning.

Trams may be passed on the right; but when a tram stops and there is no island to accept disembarking passengers, drivers must yield to the passengers who cross to the sidewalk.

Police are not empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

If parked in darkness on an unlighted street, a vehicle's parking lights must be on. Vehicles weighing less than 2.5 metric tons (2500 kg) can park with one set of wheels on the sidewalk as long as a path remains for pedestrians. Do not park within 5 meters of a pedestrian crossing.

Camping

Most campgrounds are open from mid June to mid September, with the onsite stores open only during July and August. Don't count on finding a washing machine. Though illegal, free-camping without the appropriate permission is quite tolerated.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:00 or 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 or 6:00 p.m.

Shops

National Holidays

Jan 1; Easter Mon; Labor Day; May 3; Corpus Christi; July 22; Aug 15; Nov 1, 11; 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

Police, tel. 997; Fire, tel. 998; Ambulance, tel. 999. The mobile phone helpline is tel. 112. Polski Zwiazek Motorowy (PZM), FIA and AIT member, 85 Solec St., 00950 Warsaw, tel. 22 499 361 or 22 499 212 or 22 498 449, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The PZM operates an assistance service, tel. 981. The service and one hour of mechanical work is free of charge to AAA, AA, CAA and NAC members if the service occurs within 25 km of towns in which the PZM maintains an office. Details of this service can be obtained from PZM offices in towns and at the frontier. POLTOS runs a similar service, tel. 954. Usually these services operate from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., but some close at 3:00 p.m. Another motoring club is Auto Assistance, 19 Sandomierska St., 00-950 Warsaw, tel. 22 290 374. Letters of credit issued by the FIA or AIT may suffice to pay for assistance services nationwide. The holders of such documents should contact the AUTOTOUR Motoring Tourism Bureau of Auto Assistance. Accidents must be reported to the police and the Polish Insurance Association. It's illegal to leave the scene of an accident or to not administer first aid to accident victims.

portugal

Customs

Non-EC citizens over 17 years of age may import the following free of duty: 200 cigarettes or 250 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of liquor consisting of greater than 22 percent alcohol by volume or 2 liters of liquor consisting of less than 22 percent alcohol by volume, 2 liters of wine, 100 milliliters of perfume, and items intended for personal use. There is no limit on the amount of currency that may be imported. But no more than EUR500 or the equivalent of EUR2500 in foreign currency may be exported without proof that at least this much was imported. Ask for a temporary importation form (Delegaçao Aduaneirá) at the border; Portuguese police may request this form. If bringing in a caravan, you must provide—on plain paper or on a form that's available at the border—an inventory of its items.

License

EC format pink/green license is accepted; old-style green or non-European license must be accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Equipment

Tolls

Vehicles are tolled based on the following classifications.

1. Vehicle with an axle height, as measured vertically from the front axle, of less than 1.1 meters (with or without a trailer); motorcycle.
2. Vehicle with 2 axles and an axle height, as measured vertically from the front axle, of more than 1.1 meters
3. Vehicle with 3 axles or an axle height, as measured vertically from the front axle, of greater than 1.1 meters.

A toll is levied on southbound vehicles crossing the 25 de Abril Bridge which links Lisbon with the south bank of the Tagus River at the end of the Vila Franca de Xira expressway.

A car ferry makes ten 30-minute crossings per day of the Sado Estuary between Setúbal and Troia. Other ferries run across the Tagus (Tejo) Estuary between Lisbon and Cacilhas, Barreito, Montijo, and Porto Brandão.

Road Closings

In the winter, roads 231, 232, 338, and 339 through the Serra da Estrela may be closed due to snow.

Fuel

Fuel stations are usually open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or midnight; otherwise they're open 24 hours. Major credit cards are accepted but entail a surcharge of EUR0.50. Leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called gasolina sin plomo or gasolina sem chumbo. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95 or 98. Diesel is called gasóleo. LPG is called gáz líquido. It's illegal tocarry spare fuel.

Road Signs

The word estação indicates a train station. Roads are classified as expressways (AE), principal roads (IP), national roads (EN), municipal roads (EM), and lesser municipal roads (CM).

End of parking prohibition	Take care	Tourist office	Compulsory lane for motorcycles	No entry

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 17 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age or in a safety seat to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front-seat passengers traveling outside built-up areas. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, 90/100 km/h (56/62 mph) outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways. Though cars towing a trailer are limited to 70/80 km/h (43/50 mph) outside built-up areas and to 100 km/h (62 mph) on expressways. Unless otherwise indicated, the minimum speed on expressways is 40 km/h (24 mph). Visitors who have held their license for less than a year must obtain from the ACP motoring club and display on their vehicle a yellow disc with the number 90 on it; the 90 indicates that the driver is limited to 90 km/h (56 mph). Cars towing a trailer or caravan are limited to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up areas, 70 km/h (43 mph) outside built-up areas, and 90 km/h (56 mph) on expressways. When driving across the 25 de Abril Bridge in Lisbon you must travel 30–50 km/h (18–31 mph).

Roads are often three lanes wide; the middle lane is used for passing in both directions. At night in rural areas watch out for animal-drawn, unlit carts.

Only use the horn in cases of immediate and extreme danger.

When a tram stops and there is no island to accept disembarking passengers, drivers must yield to passengers crossing to the sidewalk.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

You must park in the same direction as moving traffic, except where parking is allowed on one side of the road only. Illegally parked vehicles are subject to immobilization.

Camping

Most campgrounds are open year round. Those run by the Portuguese Camping Federation require an International Camping Carnet. Propane gas bottles can be filled in Faro, Lisbon, and Porto. Free-camping without appropriate permission is illegal, but it's tolerated most everywhere but a few of the more popular beach areas.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Open until 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. Shopping centers are open daily from 10:00 a.m. to midnight.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Shrove Tues; Good Fri; Apr 25; Labor Day; Corpus Chrisit; June 10, 13 (Lisbon), 24 (Porto); Aug 15; Oct 5; Nov 1; Dec 1, 8, 24, 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.: 12095, 15070 and 17705 kHz
4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 12095 and 15070 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 112. Orange emergency telephones are along main roads. The national motoring club is Automóvel Club de Portugal (ACP), FIA and AIT member, Rua Rosa Araújo 24-26, 1200 Lisbon, tel. 01 56 3981, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays. South of Coimbra the ACP breakdown service can be contacted at tel. 01 942 50 95, FAX 01 941 94 99 (8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. everyday); to the north of Coimbra call 02 31 67 32 or 01 830 1127, FAX 02 31 66 98 (8:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. weekdays, 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on the weekend). First aid can be called at these numbers 24 hours a day. Other Portuguese drivers readily assist stranded motorists. Use your best judgment if another driver comes to your aid; consider asking them to phone for help.

romania

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: 1 small movie camera, 2 rolls of movie film, 2 cameras, 20 rolls of photographic film, 1 radio/tape recorder, 1 typewriter, 1 pair of binoculars, camping and sports equipment, 200 cigarettes, 2 liters of liquor, 4 liters of wine or beer, and 5 liters of fuel in a spare can. Gifts are allowed free of duty. You may, however, be charged duty for some electronic goods. Declare expensive items upon arrival. You may export gifts and souvenirs, but their value must not exceed 50 percent of the currency you legally exchanged; so keep all your receipts. You are also allowed to export up to 5 paintings from the Plastic Artist's Union. You need a license to export antiques. You may import up to 5 liters of spare fuel free of duty. You may export up to 10 liters. A tax is levied on all exported fuel.

Equipment

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

Tolls

From Giurgiu to Ruse, Bulgaria, and from Giurgeni to Vadu Oii, tolls are charged for crossing the Danube River.

Fuel

Generally, fuel stations are located along main roads exiting towns. The Automobil Clubul Roman and tourist offices provide a Tourist and Motor Car Map that locates each fuel station. Prices are substantially lower than those in Western European countries, but shortages may cause delays. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 88 or 90; the octane rating of super is 96 or 98. Unleaded gasoline is called benzina fara plumb. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 98. Diesel is called motorina.

Road Signs

The word gara indicates a train station.

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 legal blood alcohol limit is 0 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, and 70 km/h (44 mph) or 80 km/h (50 mph) or 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas and on expressways. These latter speed limits apply respectively to vehicles with an engine that is smaller than 1100 cc, vehicles with an engine between 1100 cc and 1800 cc, and vehicles with an engine larger than 1800 cc. Motorcycles are limited to 40 km/h (25 mph) in built-up areas, 60 km/h (37 mph) elsewhere.

Attention: priority on roundabouts must be given to vehicles entering on the right.

It's illegal to use a horn in towns from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.; use headlights instead. In Bucharest and many other towns, use of horns is illegal at all times; signs reading "claxonarea interzisa" alert drivers to this prohibition.

Trams are the only vehicles which may be passed on the right.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot. Random vehicle checks are common.

Parking

Parking must be done on the right side of the road and in the direction of traffic.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 or 1:00 p.m. Licensed exchanged bureaus, schimb, stay open in the afternoons and on Saturday morning.

Shops

Open from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. every day but Sunday. Some open until noon on Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1, 2; May 1, 2, 9; Aug 23, 24; Dec 24, 25, 30.

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. 955; Fire, tel. 981, Ambulance, tel. 961. The national motoring club is the Automobil Clubul Român (ACR), FIA and AIT member, Strada Tache Ionescu 27, 70154 Bucharest 22, tel. 8500 2595, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on weekdays. The ACR provides roadside assistance—along, in case of accident, with medical and legal assistance at fixed rates. Contact the ACR at tel. 927 in Bucharest and at tel. 12345 elsewhere. Another motoring service is operated by the National Tourist Office Carpati-Bucaresti, 7 Bulvardue Magheru, Bucharest 1, tel. 145160, office hours from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, 8:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday. In case of an accident, the state insurance administration CAROM will assist you as well. All accidents must be reported to the police, who will issue a report to ease export of a damaged vehicle. Carry spare parts: they're scarce. In fact, theft of parts from vehicles undergoing repair is common.

russia

Customs

To obtain a visa, you must present proof that you've delineated your itinerary and booked accommodation before your departure. Moreover, visas are rarely issued to individuals who have not booked through a recognized tour company. And motorists limited to 300 miles per day and must secure an itinerary card and special "Autotourist" visa. Arrange itineraries through Intourist.

License and Insurance

You must carry an International Driving Permit. Many people have trouble finding auto insurance that covers the former Soviet states. Auto insurance for Russia or the other countries of the former USSR is available through the agency Ingosstrakh (offices in several European countries) or at the border posts at Brest (on the Polish border) and Uzhgorod (on the Czech border). Insurance for Contact embassies, consulates or tourist information offices for more information. (See the Resources chapter.)

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle, fire extinguisher and first aid kit in your vehicle; though only the first aid kit is required of motorcyclists.

Fuel

Fuel stations are rare, with one every 100 km or so on average. Therefore you should carry some spare fuel. Since western oil and antifreeze are also rare, carry a spare supply of these as well. The most widely available fuel is gasoline with an octane rating of 75, but 95 octane and diesel can be found.

Driving

The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 60 km/h (37 mph) in built-up areas, 110 km/h (68 mph) outside built-up areas.

Avoid driving at night. Use your horn only in cases of immediate and extreme danger. It's an offence to drive a dirty vehicle.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

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

Obtain help from traffic police or an Intourist office. If your vehicle is damaged, be sure to secure an official accident report (spravka) to ease its export. Spare parts are rare; consider bringing some along.

slovakia

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: 250 cigarettes or the equivalent in tobacco, 2 liters of wine, 1 liter of spirits, 0.5 liters of eau de cologne, and gifts to the value of 1000 Sk. Declare valuable items. As when exiting the Czech Republic, crystal not purchased with hard currency may be subject to a tax of 100 percent of its retail price. Only antiques bought at government-specified shops may be exported. Keep all receipts. You can import 20 liters of spare fuel free of duty. A map showing the locations of fuel stations which sell unleaded gasoline is available at the border.

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle and first aid kit in your vehicle; though only the first aid kit applies to motorcyclists.

Tolls

To tavel on expressways drivers must display a special sticker on their windshield. The stickers are sold at border crossings for 400–600 SK, depending on a vehicle's engine capacity (cars under 2 tons qualify for the 400 SK sticker), and are valid for one year.

Fuel

Fuel stations tend to be located on main roads exiting towns. Some stations close at 6 p.m., but most are open 24 hours. You can get a list of 24-hour stations from Satur. Credit cards are accepted in main towns and in popular tourist areas. Leaded regular gasoline has an octane rating of 90; the octane rating of super is 96. Lead-free gasoline is known as natural and is only available at select stations; its octane rating is 95 or 98. UNI91 and UNI95 can be used in place of either leaded or unleaded. Diesel is designated by a sign that reads "TT Diesel"; it's called nafta. Some stations in large towns and touristed areas accept credit cards. Gas/petrol (benzin) comes as Natural 95 and 98 (unleaded) or UNI91 and UNI95, which can be used in place of either leaded or unleaded... The APPROXIMATE cost per U.S. gallon is $2.75. (About 20 Sk/litre).< BR>Remember: stations aren't as frequent as in Western Europe and only some are open past 6 P.M. Get a list of 24-hour ones from Satur.

Road Signs

The Czech word nádrazí indicates a train station.

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children must be at least 12 years of age and over 1.5 meters tall to sit in the front seat. The use of seat belts is compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers. Goggles are compulsory for motorcyclists riding a machine having a 50 cc or larger engine. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 60 km/h (36 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, and 90 km/h (56 mph) for motorcycles outside built-up areas. Look out for the likes of Skoda Favorits, VW Golfs and Renault 21s parked at the side of the road: they're unmarked police cars with radar. On the highways police often get their damning evidence using more powerful cars, such as Fords, to come up even with your vehicle, at which point they film their speedometer and your vehicle.

A tram signalling a right turn and set to cross the line of a vehicle on its right has priority.

Headlights must be used when weather slightly impairs visibility. Vehicles waiting at level train crossings, however, should only have sidelights on. Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on—night and day. Horns can be used only to warn of danger or to signal that you're about to pass. The use of horns is always prohibited in Bratislava.

Trams should be passed on the right; if there is no room on the right, trams can be passed on the left—except in Bratislava. When near a tram stop do not pass.

Police are empowered to collect fines of up to 2000 SK on the spot. The fine for breaking speed limit by less than 20 km/h is 300 Sk; the fine for doing so by between 20 km/h an 30 km/h is 500 SK.

Parking

Parking is allowed only on the right side of the road, unless the road is one way, then parking is on the left. Parking along a tram line is prohibited unless a 3.5-meter wide lane is left between the vehicle and the tram lane.

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 p.m. Some open until noon on Saturday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Easter Mon; May Day; May 9; 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

Towing, tel. 154; Police, tel. 158; Fire, tel. 150,; Ambulance, tel. 155. Any accident resulting in injury or in damage in excess of 1000 SK must be immediately reported to police. If your vehicle is registered in Slovakia, the accident must also be reported to the State Insurance Company. In Bratislava, contact the 24-hour road service by phoning 07 363711. The Auto Atlas CSFR, sold in Slovakia, lists the telephone numbers of roadside assistance services nationwide. The national motoring club is Ustredni Automotoklub SR, Wolkrova ul. c. 4, 851 01 Bratislava, tel. 07 850910, office hours from 7:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. on weekdays.

slovenia

Special Note

It's said that very few ATM machines in Slovenia accept the likes of American Express, MasterCard, etc.; these machines typically accept only cards from local banks.

Customs

It's illegal to import spare fuel.

Equipment

You must carry a warning triangle and first aid kit; though only the first aid kit applies to motorcyclists. You should also carry spare bulbs.

Tolls

Charged on the A1/E63 from Ljubljana to Kranj, the A10/E70 from Ljubljana to Razdrto, and the A10/E57 from Maribor to Celje. Visit www. amzs.si for up-to-date toll information.

Fuel

Fuel stations at border entry points and along expressways are open 24 hours; others are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Credit cards are widely accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95. Lead-free gasoline or neosvinceni benzin or EuroSuper 95, is marked with green on the pump, and has an octane rating of 91 or 95. Diesel pumps are marked with black.

Driving

The minimum age of drivers 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. Motorcyclists must wear a helmet. 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 (54 mph) outside built-up areas, 100 km/h (60 mph) on pseudoexpressways, 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, and 90 km/h (56 mph) for motorcycles outside built-up areas.

All moving vehicles must use headlights night and day.

Buses now have priority when leaving a busstop and they tend to assert it; so be careful.

Police are no longer empowered to collect fines on the spot. Instead they will write a ticket payable at a Slovenian bank or post office. Penalties have become quite high.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.; they're open only until noon on Saturday.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and on Saturday till 1:00 p.m.

National Holidays

Jan 1, 2; Feb 8; Easter Monday; April 27; May 1, 2; June 25; Aug 15; Oct 31; Nov 1; Dec 25, 26.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 9410, 12095 and 15575 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

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, tel. 113; Fire, tel. 112; Ambulance, tel. 112. Police must be called to an accident scene. To ease export of your vehicle, they'll issue a report detailing any damage done to it.

spain

Customs

Visitors may enter with unlimited foreign and Spanish currency. You can't leave with more than EUR600 and foreign currency to a value of EUR3000, unless you can prove that you declared to customs any excess when you entered the country. You may import 10 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

License

EC format pink/green license is accepted; old-style green or non-European license must be accompanied with an International Driving Permit.

Equipment

Tolls

A16's Tunnel Garraf between Castelldefels & Sitges charges a toll of EUR1.85 for motorcycles; EUR3.75 for a car, a van, a minibus, or a car towing a small trailer; and EUR6.60 for a caravan or a car towing a caravan.

C138/D929's Bielsa Tunnel runs through the Pyrénées between Aragnouet and Bielsa, France; 3 km long; usually open all year, but closes from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.l.

C1411's Cadi Tunnel between Bellver de Cerdanya and Bagá. The tunnel runs west of the Tosas Pass: 5 km long; EUR6.25 for cars and motorcycles, EUR7.75 for cars with a small baggage trailer, EUR17 for caravans and for cars with a large trailer.

Near Barcelona the Vallvidrera Tunnel charges a toll of EUR2.10 for motorcycles; EUR2.60 for a car, a van, a minibus, or a car towing a small trailer; and EUR4.15 for a caravan or a car towing a caravan.

Compania Transmediterranea SA operates year-round ferry services to the Balearic and Canary Islands:BarcelonaPalma (Mallorca); ValenciaPalma; BarcelonaMahón (Menorca); ValenciaMahón ; BarcelonaIbiza; ValenciaIbiza; PalmaMahónIbiza; CádizLas Palmas (Grand Canaria); CádizSanta Cruz (Tenerife); FuerteventruaLanzaroteGomeraHierroLa Palma.

Non-toll Mountain Passes & Tunnels

Non-toll mountain passes and tunnels tend to be much more difficult to negotiate than those which charge a toll. If you're driving a vehicle (such as a caravan) that's 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.

Fuel

Fuel prices are government regulated, so don't waste time shopping around. (Though this may soon change.) Some fuel stations accept credit cards. Regular leaded gasoline has an octane rating of 92; the octane rating of super is 97. Unleaded gasoline is called gasolina sin plomo. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95. Diesel is called gas-oil. LPG is called gases licuados del petróleo.

Road Signs

Roads marked A for autopista are toll roads. Roads marked N are known as autovias and are the main, non-toll highways; these are often virtually as fast as—and more scenic than—the autopistas. A sign showing a stylized picture of a camera indicates an especially good view. The word estación indicates a train station.

End of parking prohibition	Take care	Tourist office	Compulsory lane for motorcycles	No entry

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Children under 12 years of age must be seated in an approved child seat to sit in the front of a vehicle. Seat belts are compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent (0.03 percent if the vehicle is over 3500 kg or carries more than 9 passengers, or if the operator's license is no more than 2 years old). Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) or 100 km/h (62 mph) outside built-up areas, and 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways. In residential areas the maximum speed is 20 km/h (12 mph). Cars towing a trailer are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) on divided highways, 70 km/h (44 mph) on other roads.

Immediately outside many towns are sensors which detect your speed as you approach the town. If you're going over the speed limit, a traffic light at the edge of the town is automatically turned to red so that you must come to a stop before entering the town. Two red lights mean No entry. Generally, traffic on the right has priority. Normally where a minor road intersects a major road there's a sign reading "Stop" or "Ceda el Paso" (give way); if such a sign is not in place, the traffic on the major road still has priority.

Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on—day and night. All vehicles must have headlights on in tunnels. In built-up areas horns may be used only in cases of immediate and extreme danger. Elsewhere don't use the horn unnecessarily, but don't hesitate to use it in warning.

When in daylight and outside a built-up area, you must use the horn to indicate your intention to pass; at night, flash the headlights instead. It's illegal not to use your vehicle's directional to indicate your intention to pass. And if a vehicle comes up behind you signaling that it wants to pass and if you see that the road ahead is clear, you must signal with your vehicle's right blinker to acknowledge the situation. Trams which are stopped and accepting or letting off passengers may not be passed.

Police are empowered to collect fines of up to EUR300 on the spot. Foreigners must pay on the spot unless they can present a Spanish bail bond or an address of a Spanish friend or company who will guarantee payment of the fine. If the fine cannot be paid or guaranteed, the vehicle will be impounded and the driver detained until the fine is paid. There's usually a discount of 20 percent for immediate settlement. The police will issue a Boletin de Denuncia which specifies the offense and the amount of the fine. Check carefully that the fine amount noted on the document matches the amount you paid. Follow the English instructions on the back of the document if you want to dispute the charge; you have 15 days to file a written dispute, and you can write your argument in English.

Parking

In some cities a blue line on the street indicates resident-only parking; in other cities, check for signs. Don't leave anything of value in a parked vehicle. Parking garages are a safer alternative to the street, but you might want to check prices before you enter with your vehicle. On one-way streets, parking is allowed on even dates along the side with even addresses and on odd dates along the side with odd addresses; in both cases, park in the direction of traffic flow. Do not park within 5 meters of intersections or entrances to public buildings. Blue Zones or Zona Azul are indicated by signs. Parking in these zones is allowed for 1.5 hours from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Parking discs can be obtained from hotels, travel agents, or the town hall. Some large towns have Zona ORAs in the center of the town; parking in such a zone is allowed in conjunction with display of a ticket which must be bought at a tobacconist; tickets are valid for 30, 60, or 90 minutes. Illegally parked vehicles may be towed. All this said, it is not unusual in the larger cities to see cars double and triple parked!

Camping

Campgrounds are rated on a 1 to 3 scale based on their spectrum of facilities, not on their quality. An International Camping Carnet isn't required at most. Amperage offered through electrical hookups tends to be low, sometimes as lows as 2 Amps. Free-camping without appropriate permission is illegal but quite tolerated.

Banks

Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from October through June. Closed on Saturday during the summer.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 9:00 or 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Open and close one hour later on summer afternoons. Open until noon on Saturday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Epiphany; Mar 19; Maunday Thur; Good Fri; Labor Day; Ascension; Corpus Christi; July 25; Aug 15; Oct 12; Nov 1; Dec 6, 8, 25. Many local variations.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.: 6195, 9410 and 15575 kHz
7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.: 12095, 15070 and 17705 kHz
4:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: 6195, 12095 and 15070 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

In Madrid, Barcelona and other large towns: Police, tel. 091; Fire, tel. 080; Ambulance, tel. 092. Elsewhere refer to the telephone directory. The Traffic Control Department maintains a network of emergency phones along main roads and provides roadside assistance; call the operator and ask for auxilio en carretera. The national motoring club is Real Automóvil Club de España (RACE), FIA and AIT member, José Abascal 10, 28003 Madrid, tel. 447 3200, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. Friday) on weekdays.

sweden

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: 400 cigarettes or 200 cigarillos or 500 grams of tobacco; 1 liter of spirits and 1 liter of wine, or 2 liters of wine and 2 liters of beer; a reasonable amount of perfume; and other goods to a value of SEK 600. There is no limit on the amount of currency that may be imported or exported. Spare fuel imported in a separate container(s) is subject to duty and VAT.

License

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

Equipment

Children 7 years of age and under need to be seated in a special child restraint or in a device which allows them to use the fitted seat belts. Seat belts are compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

Concessions for Hostellers

Stena Line offers a 10 percent discount on fares between Göteborg, Sweden, and Kiel, Germany, and between Göteborg, Sweden, and Fredrikshavn, Denmark. Discounted tickets, however, are obtainable only at Terra Nova Travel Sections and are valid for Monday through Thursday travel from June through August.

At the following travel bureaus you can obtain tickets such as BIGE, Inter Rail and Nordtourist, as well as various regular tickets for domestic and international air, train, boat, ferry and bus transportation. You can also rent a car, book charter bus tours, buy insurance, and obtain maps and travel literature.

Fuel

Some pumps actually accept SEK 20 or SEK 50 or SEK 100 bills; These pumps are called sedel automat; old-fashioned self-serve pumps are called tanka själv. Generally, fuel stations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., but in cities and along main roads they stay open until 8:00 or 10:00 p.m., or for 24 hours. You'll have to exit the expressway to find fuel stations; but on the expressway, signs abound pointing to them. In general, credit cards are accepted. Leaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 96 (normal) or 98 (premium). Unleaded gasoline is called blyfri 95 (or 98); and it has an octane rating of 95 (or 98). Diesel is, in fact, called diesel. LPG is called autogas. Propane is called gasol. Gasoline and diesel are both dispensed from green pumps. You may carry 30 liters of spare fuel.

Road Signs

International expressways are designated by white characters on a green background. Intranational roads are denoted by white characters on a blue background. The word station indicates a train station.

Passing place (on narrow roads)

Driving

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.02 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 70 km/h (44 mph) or 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 110 km/h (68 mph) on expressways (though this is reduced to 90 km/h near major towns). Cars towing a trailer are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph). Large elongated arrows on the highway signify the minimum distance you are expected to maintain between your vehicle and the next.

Trams have priority. When a tram stops and there is no island to accept disembarking passengers, drivers must yield to passengers crossing to the sidewalk. Pedestrians have priority on a crosswalk, but they're required to cross streets via crosswalks only.

You must use headlights at all times when operating a vehicle. Use of the horn is illegal in built-up areas except in cases of immediate and extreme danger. Outside built-up areas, use your horn minimally. If you intend to pass another vehicle and if you think the operator of that vehicle is not aware of your presence, signal your intention by flashing your headlights; if the other driver sees that the road ahead is in fact clear enough that you can safely pass, he/she should acknowledge your signal by engaing his/her right blinker.

If you're driving relatively slowly, other drivers will expect you to move over onto the shoulder of the road to let them pass; the road shoulders in Sweden are extra wide to accommodate this practice. On steep hills this shoulder takes on the status of a full-fledged lane. Do not, however, use the shoulder as if it were another lane. A solid white line down the middle of a road indicates a zone where passing is illegal. instead these roads Similarly, especially long white lines divided by short intervals indicate that visibility is impaired in one or both directions and that any passing should be undertaken with special care. Trams must be passed on the right. If there isn't an island at a tram stop, give way to boarding and alighting passengers. Trams operate in Göteborg, Malmo, and Norrköping.

Police are not empowered to collect fines on the spot. Fines range from 300 to 1200 Kr, but if two or more offences are already on record and the new fine or fines brings the total over 2500 Kr the offender must go to court.

Parking

Maps showing parking regulations and zones in major cities may be obtained from police or local offices of the national motoring clubs. Parking meters are usually checked between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Park on the right-hand side of the road. If parking on the street overnight, check the signs to be sure you're not parking on a street that's slated to be cleaned that night. A yellow sign with a red line across its bottom means parking is somehow restricted in the vicinity. Sweden imposes incredibly high fines for parking violations.

Camping

Most campgrounds are open from June 1 to September 1; though some stay open year round. They're rated with from one to three stars based on their spectrum of facilities. Parties without an International Camping Carnet will likely have to buy a Swedish Camping Card. Many campgrounds offer reduced fees to campers who check in after 9:00 p.m. and leave before 9:00 a.m. the next day. Motorhomes must have a closed drainage system; if yours doesn't, you can rent an approved tank at the campground. Foreign propane tanks can be filled at AGA Gas AB and Primus stations. As mentioned earlier Allmansaratten (everyman's right) lets anyone free-camp on unfenced land more than 100 meters from the nearest dwelling; this doesn't apply to motorhomes, though, and you should ask permission from the ownerand note that, as with other fines Swedish, the penalties for littering are severe.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., but some stay open until 5:30 p.m.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Open until 1:00 or 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Some larger stores stay open from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 or 11:00 p.m. every day but Sunday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Epiphany; Good Fri; Easter Mon; Labor Day; Ascension; Whit Sun; Whit Mon; Sat btw June 20 and 26; Sat btw Oct 31 and Nov 6; Dec 25, 26.

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

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, Fire, and Ambulance, tel. 112. Larmtjänst, a roadside service run by a confederation of Swedish insurance companies, can be contacted 24 hours a day by calling 020 91 00 40 (toll-free) for towing, 020 22 00 00 for other reasons. There are two national motoring clubs: Motormännens Riksförbund (M), AIT member, Sveavägen 159, 10435 Stockholm, tel. 86 90 38 00, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. weekdays; and Kungl Automobil Klubben (KAK), FIA member, Gyllenstiernsgatan 4, S-11526, Stockholm, tel. 0890 0055, office hours from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Friday.

switzerland

Customs

Persons 17 years of age or older may import the following free of duty: 400 cigarettes or 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco or half of these amounts if entering from a European country, 2 liters of alcoholic beverage consisting of under 15 percent alcohol by volume, and 1 liter of alcoholic beverage consisting of over 15 percent alcohol by volume. There are no limits on the amount of currency you can import or export. You can import 25 liters of spare fuel free of duty. Caravans and trailers less than 2.3 meters wide and 8 meters long can be imported without hassle. Those between 2.3 and 2.5 meters wide may enter if towed by a four-wheel drive vehicle or a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 tons. The total length of the combo must not exceed 18 meters.

Equipment

Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers. If in the front seat, children under 7 years of age must be seated in an approved child seat.

Tolls

Note that cars rented in Switzerland come with a visible sticker or vignette which allows the vehicle to travel Switzerland's express highways until the end of the year. You can buy this vignette for 40 SwF (about $27) at Swiss National Tourist offices, Swiss Customs posts (the border), Swiss post offices, or Swiss garages. At the border you can pay in SwF, Euros, £'s and USD. You can also pay inside the Customs office onsite by credit card. The vignette is valid until the end of the January of the year after you buy it, is non transferable, and should be thoroughly affixed to the windshield. If you buy it from the person stationed for this purpose outside the office (who accepts only cash), they will insist on affixing the sticker. If you buy inside the office you can affix the sticker yourself. You must obtain a separate vignette for a trailer or caravan. If your vehicle doesn't bear a properly affixed vignette and the Swiss police catch you driving on an expressway, you'll be subject to a 100 SwF fine—on top of the vignette's cost. Expressways offer the only hope for speedy and level motor travel through mountainous Switzerland. By using the toll expressways instead of other roads you'll save a lot of fuel; the vignette will probably pay for itself in terms of these fuel savings. Still, it's not absolutely necessary to use the Swiss expressways; I abstained on one trip. You have to ask yourself this: Why do I want to travel quickly and horizontally through Switzerland? Carefully study your map and the Switzerland chapter to determine if you want a vignette.

Road numbers on green signs indicate toll expressways. (This convention is just the opposite of that in France, where blue signs indicate toll expressways or autoroutes and green signs indicate non-toll expressways.) If the police catch you driving these toll expressways without sporting a vignette, you'll be fined 100 SwF and forced to buy the vignette on top of that.

Because the following two tunnels are part of the expressway system, vehicles must bear a vignette to pass through them.

The following tunnels require tolls.

A car ferry sails between Horgen and Meilen across Lake Zurich all year, and another sails between Beckenreid and Gersau on Lake Lucerne from April through October. There are also ferry services between Constance and Meersburg, Germany, and between Romanshorn and Frederichshafen, Germany, on Lake Constance.

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's 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. And don't be intimidated by the prospect of a rail tunnel: they do not require a reservation and are well organized and very easy, and fun even, to use. The Touring Club Suisse, tel. 022 35 80 00, provides English descriptions of the current conditions of mountain passes. The same information is available in French, German and Italian by phoning 123 or 163.

* Part of the famed "three-pass drive" which loops just east of Interlaken. This drive is spectacular beyond description but not especially difficult. Restaurants, hotels and inns dot the drive, usually at the summits. The Postal Bus passenger service also does the drive.

Fuel

Fuel stations along expressways are usually open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. or midnight. Those along Basel North, Pratteln North/South, and Coldrério East/West (N2), however, stay open 24 hours. Along other roads, fuel stations are open from 6:00 or 7:00 or 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 or 8:00 p.m. Outside of open hours fuel is commonly available from automatic pumps that accept 10 and 20 SwF notes or credit cards. And some stations which do not always stay open 24 hours do stay open 24 hours during the summer. Many stations do not accept major charge cards like Visa, MasterCard or American Express. Normal unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 95; unleaded super has an octane rating of 98. Unleaded gasoline is called bleifrei, essence sans plomb, or benzina sensa piomba, depending on whether you're in a German-, French-, or Italian-speaking part of Switzerland, respectively . Likewise, diesel is called diesel, diesel, or gasolio; and LPG is called autogas, Gaz de pétrole liquéfié (GPL), or gas liquido (GPL).

Road Signs

The word "transit" means "intercity," i.e., it indicates the way to go is you want to bypass a city center (downtown) and travel onward expressly.

A sign depicting a tire with chains on it or a sign reading "chaines à neige" obligatoires means that snow chains are necessary to navigate the road ahead. Snow chains for your tires can be rented from fuel sations marked "Service de Châines à Neige" or "Schneekettendienst". The word indicating a train station will be either gare, bahnhof or stazione depending on whether you are in a French-, German- or Italian-speaking portion of Switzerland, respectively.

Level train crossing (flashing red light)	Level train crossing (alternating red lights)	Pseudo expressway	Postal vehicles have priority

Driving

You can recieve helpful information in French, German and Italian by calling the following numbers: general, tel. 111; snow conditions and tourist infor, tel. 120; weather, tel. 162; road conditions, tel. 163; avalanche bulletin, tel. 187. Many roads are closed to caravans and trailers.

It's often impossible to "make good time" in this mountainous country if you don't use the expressways; roads rarely approximate a straight line between destinations. Check your Switzerland road map carefully when planning your schedule. But besides realizing the limits that these roads impose, you should realize the potential they offer—you'll be enveloped by natural beauty on every turn. Plan to drive for driving's sake, and try to minimally constrain yourself with time-related issues. Ask yourself this question: Why do I want to drive quickly through Switzerland?

The minimum age of a driver is 18 years. Seat belts are compulsory for front-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.08 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 50 km/h (30 mph) in built-up areas, 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas, and 100 km/h (62 mph) or 120 km/h (74 mph) on expressways. Cars/trailer combos which weigh less than 1000 kg are limited to 80 km/h (50 mph) outside built-up areas; if the combo weighs over 1000 kg, it's limited to 60 km/h (37 mph) outside built-up areas and to 80 km/h (50 mph) on expressways. Roadside automatic radar-triggered cameras help enforce these limits.

The mountain resort towns of Braunwald, Murren, Wengen and Zermatt cannot be reached directly by private motor vehicle. Park at the railway or sky tram station and complete the journey via public transport.

Trams always have priority. Buses have priority when leaving a bus stop. Blue posts are used to indicate an upcoming intersection with a priority road. Traffic going up a mountain has priority, except where signs displaying a yellow posthorn on a blue background signal that postal buses have priority. A red slash going through such a sign indicates the end of the postal priority zone. Some of these mountain postal roads are one way; such cases are indicated by a white rectangle placed below the blue rectangle/yellow horn sign. Some mountain roads require one-way traffic during certain hours only; these hours will be posted at either end of such roads.

Use headlights in tunnels. Motorcycles must be operated with headlights on—night and day. Use the horn in cases of immediate and extreme danger only; flash your headlights instead.

When passing, do not cross a double white line. When completing a passing maneuver, you must signal with your vehicle's right blinker before you re-enter the right lane. Moving trams must be passed on the right if there's enough room; otherwise they may be passed on the left. A stationary tram should be passed on the left, unless it's stopped at a passenger island, in which case it may be passed on the right. Motorcyclists are not allowed to pass long columns of vehicles or to weave in and out of traffic.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

Do not park where you see a sign that reads "Stationierungsverbot" or "Interdiction de Stationner". Parking on the sidewalk is illegal except where signs indicate otherwise. Many towns have Blue Zones that restrict parking during the period 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. Obtain discs free of charge from ACS or TCS motoring club offices. In Basel, Berne, and Geneva you can get discs at fuel stations, restaurants, kiosks, police stations, and garages. In Laussanne a Red Zone system is also in effect; discs good for both zones (one side for each zone) can be obtained from the TCS offices or the tourist information offices. Wheel clamps are in use. Braunwald, Murren, Rigi, Wengen and Zermatt cannot be reached by private motor vehicle; park at the local railway station and go on by public transport.

Parking disc is compulsory

Camping

Most campgrounds stay open from mid April to mid October, but some are open year round. Most are of high quality and offer a wide range of amenities. Swiss campgrounds use a unique three-prong plug which can be rented from most campgrounds. Overnight parking at rest stops is OK. Otherwise free-camping without the appropriate permission is illegal, and it's not tolerated in the canton of Tessin and near a few other resort areas.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 or 5:00 a.m.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday. Department stores stay open during lunch hours.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Good Fri; Easter Mon; Ascension; Whit Mon; Dec 25.

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

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police, tel. 117; Fire, tel. 118; Ambulance, tel. 144 or 177. The breakdown service Touring Secours can be reached by dialing 140. Anglo-phone, tel. 157 5014, is a 24-hour hotline that provides data ranging from weather reports to English-speaking doctor referals; it's available in Switzerland only and costs 1.4 SwF per minute. Touring Club Suisse (TCS), AIT member, 9 Rue Pierre Fatio, 1211 Genèva 3, tel. 022 737 12 12 (022 735 8000 for road and touring info), FAX 022 786 0992, varying office hours from Monday through Saturday, offers 24-hour roadside service. Automobile Club de Suisse (ACS), FIA member, 39 Wasserwerkgaße, 3000 Berne 13, tel. 031 328 31 11, office hours weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to noon and from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Customs

You may import the following free of duty: 400 cigarettes, 50 cigars, 200 grams of tobacco, 1.5 kilograms of instant coffee, 500 grams of tea, and 2.5 liters of alcohol. An additional 600 cigarettes, 100 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco is allowed if these goods were bought at Turkish duty-free shops. Register in your passport all valuables. Your vehicle will be noted on your passport as imported goods; it must be exported within a certain amount of time. If your vehicle belongs to another private party, you must present a letter of authorization from the owner and certified by a lawyer. Keep all receipts to prove that items you obtained in Turkey were bought with legally exchanged currency. You must have authorization to export antiques. If an item you plan to export could possibly be an antique, go to great lengths to determine its actual antique status. Punishment for improperly exporting antiques can be severe. Punishments for defacing or littering historical sites are also severe. Don't even think of messing around with illicit drugs in Turkey. You may import 25 liters of spare fuel free of duty.

Equipment

You must carry two warning triangles, fire extinguisher and first-aid kit in your vehicle; though only the first-aid kit applies to motorcyclists. Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists.

Tolls

Tolls are charged between Edirne and Istanbul, Istanbul and Izmit, Izmit and Gebze, Tsarsus and Pozanti, Ankara and Gerede, and Izmir and Çesme. In the direction Europe to Asia, tolls are charged on the Bosphorus and Faith Sultan Mehment bridges: 150,000 TRL for cars, vans, motorhomes; 20,000 TRL for motorcycles

Fuel

Many fuel stations along main highways are open 24 hours; others are open from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Fuel stations are not as numerous as in other countries, so fill up your vehicle's tank whenever you can. Credit cards are generally accepted. Regular unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 91; the octane rating of super is 96. Unleaded gasoline is called kursunsuz benzin. Unleaded super gasoline has an octane rating of 95. Diesel also goes by the name mazot. LPG is getting more popular and is available at many stations.

Road Signs

Historical sites are designated by yellow signposts.

Driving

Turkeywith its surprisingly good roads and maddeningly slow trainsis best seen by motor vehicle. Generally, driving habits conform those of other Southern European countries. Signposts, however, are much less frequent. Turkey also has a relatively high accident rate. Watch out at night for livestock and for unlit farm vehicles.

Seat belts are compulsory for front- and rear-seat passengers. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Speed limits are as follows: 40 km/h (24 mph) in built-up areas, 90 km/h (56 mph) outside built-up areas, and 130 km/h (78 mph) on expressways. Cars towing a trailer or caravan are limited to 40 km/h (25 mph) in built-up areas, and 70 km/h (44 mph) outside built-up areas.

Headlights should always be used when driving. Use of the horn is illegal except in cases of immediate and extreme danger.

Police are empowered to collect fines on the spot.

Parking

A sign reading "Park Yapilmaz" means No parking. Do not park within 25 meters of danger signs.

Camping

Camprounds can be sparsely scattered and vary greatly in terms of quality. Free-camping is legal. Many motorhomers choose to spend the night in the safety of a militia or police station parking lot. Propane bottles can be filled at the AYGAS station at Ambarli, on the road to Edirne 10 km west of Istanbul.

Banks

Open on weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Shops

Open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 1:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Saturday.

National Holidays

Jan 1; Apr 23; May 19; Seker Bayrami and Kurban Bayrami are moveable religious festivals; Aug 30; Oct 28 (part), 29. When a holiday falls on a Fri, the following Sat is also observed as a holiday.

BBC Radio Hours and Corresponding Frequencies

5:00 a.m. to 7:30 a.m.: 6180, 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.: 6180, 12095 and 15070 kHz

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Highway patrol, tel. 155; Police, tel. 156; Fire, tel. 110; Ambulance, tel. 112. Ask at your hotel and/or at a tourist information office about how to contact one of the roadside services. The Türkiye Turing Ve Otomobil Kurumu (TTOK), FIA and AIT member, I. Oto Sanayi Sitesi Yani, Camlik Caddesi, 4 Levent, Instanbul, tel. 212 282 8140, office hours from 8:30 a.m. to noon and from 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, offers a repair service. All accidents must be reported to the police so the police can prepare a report for the Turkish Insurance Bureau. If your vehicle must be repaired, prices are generally not too high; just give a little tip to the mechanic doing the work, and take all vehicle documents with you if you leave the shop.

united kingdom (england, scotland, and wales, and northern ireland)

Customs

You may import free of duty the following goods if they were not taxed in the EC: 400 cigarettes or 200 cigarillos or 100 cigars or 500 grams of tobacco, 1 liter of alcoholic beverages consisting of over 22 percent alcohol by volume, 2 liters of alcoholic beverages consisting of under 22 percent alcohol by volume or 2 liters of fortified or sparkling wine, 2 liters of still table wine, 60 cc/ml of perfume, 250 cc/ml of toilet water, and other goods to the value of £36. You may import free of duty the following goods if they were taxed in the EC: 800 cigarettes, 400 cigarillos, 200 cigars, 1 kilogram of pipe tobacco, 10 liters of spirits, 90 liters of wine, and 110 liters of beer. Animals brought into the country are subject to lengthy month quarantine (new laws in this regard have recently come into force); penalties for breaching this regulation are severe and rigorously enforced. British Customs officials are particularly fastidious—expect a short delay.

Equipment

Helmets are compulsory for motorcyclists and their passengers.

Fuel

Gasoline, called petrol, is sometimes advertised in terms of imperial gallons (1.19 US gallons per imperial gallon), though such quotation is very rare these days. Pumps measure in liters. Leaded petrol is almost completely unavailable, but most petrol stations will sell lead-replacement petrol, the lead having been replaced by another additive. Premium unleaded gasoline has an octane rating of 95; the octane rating of super is 98. All motorway service areas are open 24 hours. These stations are located between 20 and 40 miles apart. Local petrol stations often keep long hours, not closing until maybe 22:00 or 23:00 hours. All stations accept credit cards. Stations attached to supermarkets no longer tend to sell cheaper fuel than those run by the oil companies. Typically, gloves are provided for holding the diesel pumps, for diesel fuel if spilled leaves a slippery residue that is hard to remove.

Road Signs

Expressways are called motorways and are signified by the letter M. Highways designated by the letter A have multilane sections and are sometimes divided, and B highways are single-lane and not divided. A white R on a green background indicates a ring road (a major road circling a population center). The black letters HR on a yellow background indicate a holiday route. Where you see this sign there will be two options to the same direction, one marked with the HR sign. The HR option takes the more scenic and often slightly longer route.

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.

Given London's excellent public transport and congested traffic, I recommend that you do not use a motor vehicle there. Rush hours in London occur from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. and from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Avoid the ring roads or "orbitals" that circle London. There are two orbital roads around London. The older "circular" is nothing more than an A class road; the other is the M25 motorway, 3 or 4 lanes wide in each direction, circling London at a greater circumference and connecting all major motorways and the airport Heathrow and Gatwick. Traffic will probably be snarled on these overburdened thoroughfares at all times except late evenings and Sunday mornings. (The M25 inspired the Chris Rea song "Road to Hell" and is commonly referred to as the London car park!) If you want to know how to get from here to there in London, get a Mini London AZ Street Atlas and Index; it's used religiously—even by the residents. The Atlas illustrates and indexes every street, alleyway, tube line and tube stop in London. You can pick up an Atlas in one of the countless shops and bookstores in London or at most any petrol station.

Seat belts must be worn by all vehicle occupants. The legal blood alcohol limit of drivers is 0.08 percent. Speed limits vary often and greatly; they are increasingly 20 mph (33 km/h) in residential areas, generally 30 mph (48 km/h) where street lighting is in place in towns and cities, 40 mph (64 km/h) in suburban areas, 60 mph ( 97 km/h) on non-divided highways, and 70 mph (113 km/h) on motorways and divided highways which provide multiple lanes in your direction—the fast lane being that nearest the median or middle. Trucks and vehicles towing trailers are not allowed in the outer (nearest the' median or "central reservation$quot;) lane on motorways with three or more lanes. Problems can therefore evolve if a driver does not return to the nearside lane (left) after overtaking, as the aforementioned larger vehicles would not be able to overtake even though there appears to be a free lane.

Flashing amber traffic lights (actually globes or "beacons") atop black and white striped poles warn that you must give priority to pedestrians on the crossing. Pedestrians on a striped ("zebra") crosswalk always have legal right-of-way. Most of these zebra crossings have been replaced with pedestrian crossings that are controlled by more normal traffic lights. Ordinarly such lights show green to a motorist until a pedestrian presses a button or sensors detect no traffic. Following a delay after such a press or detection, the signal to the motorist turns amber (usually, that is) and then red, at which point the pedestrian gets a green signal. This signal shortly goes to flashing amber and then red, at which point the motorist gets a green signal. The motorist can proceed during the flashing amber signal, provided the crossing is clear.

At intersections a dashed or double-dashed line across your path, or a triangle or a series of triangles pointed toward you on the roadway, indicate that you should give priority to the traffic on the other road. If a triangle or series of triangles points away from you, you have priority. There are very few Stop signs in the UK; instead priority rules and electric traffic signals control traffic. Generally, priority is given to vehicles on the right. Where priority is the prime control, vehicles entering priority roads are under no obligation to stop unless yielding to a vehicle on the priority road. (Normally a Give Way sign, that is, a Yield sign, will remind them to do so.) This can alarm foreign drivers at first, as vehicles seem to come flying out of side roads and partially onto the priority road with little thought of stopping; but alas they almost always do stop when necessary.

As the above discussion suggests, vehicles on a roundabout have priority; vehicles entering a roundabout must yield. And roundabouts are, to put it mildly, legion. In fact roundabouts appear so frequently as to be almost comical; but they are the logical extension of the almost religious deference given to the priority-on-the-right rule, which allows for the admittedly sane and civilized minimization of the number necessary road signs and full stops.

Where the center of the road is marked by a solid white line on your side, you cannot cross the line to overtake a typical vehicle. However, you may cross such line in order to pass a stationary vehicle; or to overtake a bicycle, a horse and rider, or a road maintenance or repair vehicle traveling at less than 10 mph; or to turn right into a side road or entrance.

When multiple lanes travel in one direction, you should pass or "overtake" using the lane toward the median or center of the road. It is illegal to pass on the other side, the outside (left) unless in a filter lane. It's not a good idea to flash your headlights to indicate you want to pass, as this is likely to offend the driver ahead of you. (This reserve is indeed and in law fast becoming the protocol on the continent as well, even in France and Germany.) Better to express a sense of urgency by using your indicator and hovering quite near behind the vehicle and somewhat toward the center of the road—but without tailgaiting. You are supposed to slow to a significantly audible crawl when passing a horse and rider along a country road (i.e., slow way down, but not so much as to frighten the horse as a silent shape suddenly appearing in its field of vision) The animal's rider should acknowledge your courtesy by waving thanks. Always give right of way to domestic animals.

Small country lanes are very often harrowingly narrow, with ancient hedgerows like thick walls of rock defining either side. Don't, however, shrink from driving such roads, as they can be avenues to beautiful scenery (though the hedges often maddeningly occlude the views) and fun to drive; but when doing so you must be almost constantly prepared to bring your vehicle to a crawl and negotiate some sort of compromise with the oncoming traffic.

It isn't specifically illegal for a driver to use a cell phone (i.e., mobile phone; or "handy" as many on the continent refer to them) while driving, but such use leaves the driver open to prosecution for "Driving without due care or attention" (or to similar criticism); moreover, the police take a very dim view of such use. If you must operate such phone when driving, do so with a hands-free accessory.

An intimate, cheap and versatile way to get around the back roads of Scotland is by riding along on postal vehicles. Post offices in Scotland offer the Scottish Postbus Guide free of charge. You don't need an envelope or a stamp; just a couple of £s allow you to go wherever the mail does. There are 144 routes in Scotland. You can get details from Royal Mail, PR Department,130 Old Street, London, EC1V 9QP, tel. 0171 320 7193; or Royal Mail Scotland & Northern Ireland, PR Department, 102 West Port, Edinburgh, EH3 9HS, tel. 0131 228 7407.

By the way, vehicle overpasses are called flyovers.

Parking

Pay-and-display machines are common. A single yellow line painted on the curb means that loading restrictions apply during daylight hours. Double red or double yellow lines parallel to the curb (or "kerb," as the Brits spell the word) indicate that vehicles are prohibited from waiting there. A single red or yellow line indicates more complicated restrictions and imply that you should look for signs on nearby lamp posts to get the specifics. Of course, you may not park on striped crosswalks; moreover, you cannot park in the zone that precedes a crosswalk, a zone marked by white zigzag lines (yellow if outside schools) or by rows of studs. In London, wheel clamps are used on illegally parked vehicles release charges can be over GBP100.

Camping

Apart from the small ones run by the major camping clubs, campgrounds don't require an International Camping Carnet. During high season many campgrounds fill up early in the day: show up or reserve early. Most grounds are not replete with the amenities that characterize their continental counterparts but have far bigger pitch sizes. Certain Calor Gas depots can fill German-style propane bottles, but it's very wise to carry adapters. Free-camping without the appropriate permission is illegal; but it's tolerated, as it is in nearly every European country, if practiced discreetly.

Banks

Generally open on weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Some banks are open on Saturday mornings. ATMS are increasingly available at petrol stations.

Shops

Open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day but Sunday. Large supermarkets in most small towns are open until about 10:00 p.m. Village "Spar" shops (groceries, newspapers, tobacco, etc.) are open until 11:00 p.m.

National Holidays

England, Wales, and N. Ireland: Jan 1; Mar 17*; Apr 14, 17; May 8, 29; July 12*; Aug 28; Dec 25, 26. *N. Ireland only.

Scotland: Jan 1; Apr 14; May 8, 29; Aug 7; Dec 25, 26.

Information Services

To get road condition information call Britain's Automobile Association at tel. 09003 4011 000 (or 4011 000 from your mobile). (These calls are charged at 60p per minute.)

Breakdown, Accident or Emergency

Police and Ambulance, tel. 999. Royal Automobile Club (RAC), FIA member, tel. 0181 686 0088, FAX 0181 681 8710. Automobile Association (AA), tel. 0870 600 0371, FAX 01256 493389.