European Driving Regs/Ticketing

Hi Gary: It's a good question. In Florence the cameras are not hidden. Go here to see photos of both the speed cameras and the ZTL cameras, along with photos of signs warning drivers:photos of Italian traffic enforcement camerasI'll let others answer the part of your question that asks about other countries.

Gary- There are some restricted zones in the big cities of Germany. As I recall, you are purchasing a car to drvie while you ar there. If you are picking it up in Germany, ask about getting the stickers that will allow you to drive in the downtown areas of big cities (Berlin, Munich, etc) We rented a car in Munich, and when I asked they told me that our car had every sticker we needed to drive every where in Germany. Austira: Be sure you purchase your vignette as the police tend to hover around the border areas and pull over cars that don't have the vignette. You can purchase it at German gas stations near the Austrian border. I believe Austria has some speeding cameras as well-as least that is how it looked to us.

Connie & Kent

Yes, I am picking up a car in Munich. Only planning on staying overnight with it there and then leaving the next AM for Vienna. Then on to Salzburg and eventually back to Munich on the last day to drop of the car for shipment to the US before going to the Airport.

Thanks for the info. The link has some good pics showing the cameras and some signs in Italy which is helpful. I'll be curious what Jo and Corinna might be able to throw into this thread as it develops.

I also like the thought of asking to make sure I have any necessary stickers for safe travel.

Tell me about the Vignette. I have read that I would need this, but haven't looked into it yet. What exactly is it?

Hi Gary,

The "Vignette" for Austrian highways is a sticker you buy and place on the windshield. It cost about 7 or 8 Euros for a Vignette sticker that's good for 10 days. They are sold at gas stations, convenient stores, etc. You'll see signs for them (simply a sign that shows a picture of the sticker and the word Vignette) in Germany and Austria.

www.german-way.com/autobahn2.html

Paul

There are photo radar cameras on the highways, too. But they are preceded by warning signs. Also, Viamichelin tells you where they are.

For the most part, both on the highways and ZTLs, there is pretty ample warning.

A note on a common police tactic in Austria. On some of the mountain roads, the speed limit often changes as you approach a town. Sometimes, there will be a traffic cop with a radar gun aimed at the very begining of the lower speed zone. If you haven't yet slowed down accordingly, they will signal you to pull over (you'll often see a line of cars waiting for their tickets). So, the moral of the story is, slow down as soon as you see the new speed limit, not when you pass when the sign.

I think the reason you hear so much more about Italy is the signage isn't nearly as clear or logical as in Germany or Austria.

There are still some rules to follow up North. First and foremost, only use the left lane on the Autobahn to pass. Pass quickly then get back in the right lane or you'll make everyone mad.

There are no-traffic zones too but they seem to be easy to spot and avoid.

Having said that, I was pulled over in Amsterdam for driving on a bus only road (only for one side of the street, the traffic going the opposite direction wasn't bus only). I followed a taxi onto the street, within a few seconds the taxi turned off the road and within a few more seconds two bicycle police flagged me down. They were helpful, told me what I had done wrong and gave me directions rather than a ticket.

Does anyone know what happens if your hotel happens to be in a restricted zone (I will need to check this out with the hotels to see if they are)? I suspect there would be some allowance for this that hotel would have set up with the locals, but what would be the recourse of you received one of those surprise letters with your ticket bill? Send them a copy of your hotel receipt?

An earlier poster on this issue, from Italy I believe, suggested sending in your proof of accomodations, tallying its location with the camera that caught you. Haven't heard if it works, but it's certainly worth a try.

Gary- Hotels getting permission for you is in Italy. As far as I know, it is NOT true in Germany. For example, if you go to Hotel Uhland Web site they warn you that you will need the environmental badge to get to their hotel.

http://www.hotel-uhland.de/munich-hotels-free-parking-lots.html

I hope this link works for you. Italy has received so much attention for the ZTL zones that a lot of people don't know about Germany's policy. It is completely different. You need to work with where you are buying your car to get these passes since you can't just purchase them in a gas station, etc. Either that or find out which cities have these zones and don't enter them. They are larger cities and they cover the downtown area. I struggled with this last September since I was renting a car in downtown Munich and staying at Hotel Uhland. However, what I discovered is that if you rent a car in Germany it includes these stickers.

I just did some more reading on the green zones. They are a combination "permit" system and emissions test. (If I understand it right) Here in Seattle our cars have to pass an emissions test every other year. It is done when we license them. I think these badges are similar. Because of that, you can't just purchase them on line-they are tied to the car they are put 0n since the car has to pass the "test". My gut feeling is that the car you are purchasing will either come with these badges, or you can arrange in advance to get them. I would contact where you are buying your car to find out. As I said, I could have gone on this trip and been completely ignorant of all this because the badges were on my rental car. In fact, the guy at the rental desk seemed impressed I even knew about them (as a USA resident) But it is always good to be pro active on this stuff and "Know before you go".

In the interest of educating on this issue:

Free travelling through Germany - even through the environmental zones!
As of now, you are able to order the environmental badge online on our site from your home country.
To do this we require copies of all registration documents of your vehicle. In our estimate, we will be able to issue a badge for the majority of vehicles, especially for the newer vehicles registered in the EU immediately, or inform you that you unfortunately cannot receive an environmental badge for your vehicle(s) due to the high emission values. Concerning the rest of the vehicles, we will either inform you which additional documents you need to turn in order for us to issue a badge and send it to you, or that also the official registration offices of the Federal Republic of Germany are not able to determine the emission values of your vehicle in order to decide about your application for a badge.

This is pasted from a web site that works with people outside of Germany to get these badges. As you can see, you need to have the registration to get a badge.

http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/int_england.php?SID=js9eb7lu4kg3kcssqi8vq1ijq4

For anyone who wants to read more on this, try the link above. Gary- I hope this helped you out. The Austrian Vignettes are much easier to deal with=you buy them at a gas station near the border. However, be aware that you are required to have a safety vest in you car as well. (Once again- our rental car provided one.) Some countries also require you to put out a "triangle" if you have car trouble. You may want to go to a store and purchase an "emergency" kit for your new car. (if they haven't provided you with one) Have a great trip.

Connie

This info is absolutely amazing!!! I can't thank you enough for all your help. I saw one of your messages and had to stop to view our local regular PBS weekly airing of Rick Steves Europe. This weeks episode was the Slazburg and Surrounding Areas (the one with the trip to Hallstatt). I think it's an omen. I came back to start following up on your info and you already had done the work.

This is excellent help for me and I'm sure others too. I think I should get another ticket for you to join us.

Thanks again!!!

I would love to go back!! However, my husband would never let me go without him. I know you are going to have an awesome trip.