UK motorists hitting European roads this summer, be warned - running out of fuel could hit your wallet hard. British drivers are facing potential fines in the EU for something as simple as running out of petrol or diesel. Speaking to GB News, Keith Hawes from Nationwide Vehicle Contracts highlighted the severity of the rule especially imposed by Germany's authorities.
According to Hawes: "Ensuring your vehicle sat nav is up-to-date and European-friendly is essential." Mr Hawes emphasised the necessity of an International Driving Permit in many tourist hotspots, saying: "Knowing how different countries operate their roads is essential, so planning ahead and being sensible on the roads is strongly advised." Touching on the peculiarities of international road laws, he added: "Every country has different rules, for example, in Germany, the famous Autobahn has extremely high speed limits, with drivers averaging about 80mph.
However, drivers are free to drive as fast as they want in de-restricted sections." Mr Hawes gave a stark warning about the importance of keeping your tank full: "Therefore, it is illegal to run out of fuel on these roads due to safety reasons and to prevent stopping on high-speed roads." With the August Bank Holiday approaching, he warned drivers about potentially hefty fines for an empty tank on the Autobahn, reports Birmingham Live .
Motorists in Germany should be aware that they could face fines for making derogatory signs or using abusive language. The law states that stopping on the highway due to insufficient petrol is avoidable and therefore punishable as it's considered a human error. However, tourists are advised that if they're members of ADAC (the German equivalent of the AA), they can call them for assistance.
If they arrive before the police, they can sell you some petrol, helping you avoid a fine..
