There are truly curious and fascinating driving labels in more than 180 countries, according to the largest UK car platform, Auto Trader. Conducting in a foreign country and dealing with unknown rules and customs can be challenging for those traveling beyond borders, especially when there are such unusual and unique laws around the world. To illustrate the diversity of these rules, Auto Trader experts analyzed numerous sources and created maps that reveal some of the most amazing driving laws in the world. Portugal was also entitled to mention its more ‘strange’ rule.
Some curious discoveries that include Portugal
According to, the strangest rule of driving in Portugal is also the same in Brunei: it is forbidden to eat or drink while driving. In places like Sri Lanka and Christmas Island, animals have priority on the road, being elephants and crabs, respectively, the beneficiaries. In Romania, the wagons pulled by horses have the right of passage.
Parking errors can also lead to legal problems: in Belarus, it is illegal to park on the grass; In Malta, one cannot park against the sense of traffic; And in Australia, leaving the car unlocked, even briefly, can result in a fine. In addition, in Rwanda, on Sundays, it is forbidden to drive as an incentive to exercise, while in the Philippines and Ecuador there are specific days when certain vehicles are allowed to circulate, based on enrollment.
Conduct with knowledge
“Although new cars come equipped with advanced technologies that help drivers deal with complicated situations, local linguistic barriers, and local driving customs are challenges that technology alone cannot solve,” said Erin Baker, editorial director Auto Trader.
“This fun study was conducted to motivate travelers to inform themselves about driving and tag laws before driving in a new country, and offers entertainment, highlighting some unique and peculiar rules that exist around the world,” he added.
Examples of etiquette around the world
In Nordic countries, such as Finland and Albania, it is mandatory to keep headlights lit during the day to improve visibility. Already in places like Armenia and Bhutan, honking from schools, hospitals or sacred areas is prohibited. On the other hand, in Granada and Fiji, honking is a friendly gesture, used to greet other drivers.
In New Zealand, drivers must give way to sheep herds, while in Botswana they have to wait patiently for the giraffes. On Christmas island, during the migration of crabs, it is mandatory to stop so that they can cross the roads.
Unusual laws in Europe
In Germany, it is allowed to drive without clothes inside the vehicle, and in Cyprus, it is forbidden to consume water or soda while driving. In France and Slovakia, it is mandatory to have a breath in the car, being a fine who does not carry it.
In the United Kingdom, borrowing money from another person to pay the parking meter is considered illegal.
Africa and animal protection
In Africa, many countries protect their native animals in road law. In Botswana and Namibia, animals have priority over vehicles, and those who run over an animal can face prison penalties. In Mauritania, drivers should give way to camels. Other peculiar rules include the ban on marching for more than 50 meters in Ethiopia and the absence of circulation on Sundays in Rwanda.
Asia: between tradition and cleaning
In Asia, car aesthetics are of great importance. In countries like Oman, Iran and Azerbaijan, driving a dirty car can result in a fine. In Turquemenistan, it is considered good luck to drive white or light -colored vehicles. In India, cows, being sacred, have priority on the road.
Interestingly, in Jordan, luxury cars are exempt from various rules, such as the obligation to use enrollment.
Curiosities in the Americas
In Bolivia, in La Paz, there are employees who dress in zebra to help pedestrians cross the treadmills. Already in Ecuador, an alternation system based on the final number of enrollment regulates the days when cars can circulate.
In the United States, each state has its own unusual rules. In Alaska, it is forbidden to tie a dog to the car; In Alabama, driving with blindfolded eyes is illegal; And in Illinois, it is mandatory to have steering wheel in the vehicle. In Nevada, you cannot walk on the road, and in Montana, a companion is required when transporting sheep. A curious law of Louisiana determines that a husband should shake a flag in front of his wife’s car before she drives.
Now that you know what the driving rule considered more ‘strange’ in Portugal was, you may be thinking that you have probably infringed it.
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