How Well Do You Know Rules of the Road From Around the World?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
How Well Do You Know Rules of the Road From Around the World?
Image: DigiPub/Moment/GettyImages

About This Quiz

Self-driving vacations can offer some of the best trips in the world! Driving in a foreign land is exciting, and you can set your trip to your very own pace. No matter where you go, you'll need to know the local rules of the road, though. Before you set off on an adventure behind the wheel, put your international driving knowledge to the test! 

When you put yourself in the driver's seat of this quiz, you'll visit more than 30 countries. From the United States to Greenland, rules of the road vary from place to place. And it goes far deeper than which side of the road you drive on! An off-road adventure in Iceland might sound like a good time, but could you end up with a hefty fine going on such an adventure? Questions like these will show how well you know your stuff!

You're sure to learn about a few local customs, and you might even save yourself a little trouble while traveling abroad. Do you know the rules of the road in other countries as well as you know your own? Do your best to navigate all the different rules of the road, and find out if you passed our test! How well do you think you'll do?

Q1 Canada Which one of these driving laws does not exist in Ontario, Canada?
You must not go more than 15 miles per hour under the speed limit.
You are not required to come to a full stop at a stoplight.
You do not need to carry proof of insurance.
You must only drive in one lane at a time.
Don't feel like driving in one lane in Ontario? No problem! Within the city's jurisdiction, lane markings are merely suggestions. You are free to drive in as many of them as you would like. We don't recommend that you do it in the rest of Canada, though.

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Q2 Triangle How many meters behind a disabled car must a reflective triangle be placed on the German Autobahn?
50
100
200
By law, German drivers must have a reflective triangle and two reflective vests in their vehicles at all times. The reflective triangle must be placed at least 100 meters behind a disabled car on normal roads and 200 meters on the Autobahn.
300

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Q3 France Which one of these odd things are French drivers required to carry in their vehicles?
A radar detector
Cash
A breathalyzer
In an effort to curb drinking and driving accidents, the French passed a law in 2017 that requires drivers to carry a breathalyzer. You are not required to carry one if you are just visiting, though.
A blanket

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Q4 Speeding What do they call speeding tickets in the United Kingdom?
Speeding Summons
Speed Violation Certificate
Fixed Penalty Notice
While most officers and traffic cameras in the United Kingdom will cut you a little slack, going more than 2 miles per hour over the speed limit will get you in trouble. You'll have to appear in court to pay your Fixed Penalty Notice.
Violation Speed Stub

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Q5 Red Light Is it true or false that you can turn right at all red lights in the United States?
True
False
After stopping and making sure it's OK to proceed, you can make right-hand turns at some American red lights. Check carefully because many intersections are clearly marked with signs that say "No Turn On Red."

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Q6 Japan Carseat How old do Japanese children have to be before they no longer need child safety seats?
6 years old
Laws about safety seats vary around the world. In Japan, a child must remain in a child safety seat until they are over the age of 6. Seatbelts are mandatory for passengers of all ages.
3 years old
12 years old
8 years old

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Q7 Australia Which one of these things could result in a $237 fine in Australia?
Driving with the radio on
Having your hand out of the window
Whatever you do, don't stick your hand, your arm or your elbow out the window in Australia! Sticking a body part out of the window is reserved for those who are using manual signals.
Eating while driving
Not using windshield wipers in fog

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Q8 Headlights When do Swedish drivers need to turn on their headlights?
They must use them all the time.
In the United States, laws about headlights vary from state to state, and many states do not require them to be on until dusk. Sweden does things a little differently. Drivers must use their headlights, no matter what time of day they are driving.
Headlights need to be on by 6 p.m.
They don't need to come on until 9 p.m.
They need to be used after 5 p.m.

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Q9 Water How much can you be fined for drinking water while driving in Cyprus?
$25
$500
$130
If you find yourself taking a sightseeing drive around the beautiful island of Cyprus, make sure you hydrate before you get behind the wheel. Eating or drinking anything - including water - is illegal! You can be fined $130 for your offense.
$246

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Q10 Nap It's illegal to take a nap on the roadway in which American state?
Alabama
Michigan
New York
California
Driving can be tiring, and you never know when the urge to take a nap might strike. If you're driving in California, try not to do so by pulling over to the side of the road to catch a few Zs. You will be fined if you do. Also, try to avoid driving while blindfolded in Alabama. Yes, this is really a law on the books in that state.

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Q11 Canada Do they drive on the right-hand side of the road or the left-hand side in Canada?
Right
Like the United States, China and most of the rest of the world, Canadian drivers drive on the right-hand side of the road. There are about 60 countries in the world that drive on the left, but this number is changing as some countries are transitioning to driving on the right-hand side.
Left

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Q12 Brazil How long does Brazil allow visitors to drive with their foreign licenses?
One year
Six months
While visiting Brazil, you may drive with the license issued in your own country for six months. Brazilian law used to require a Portuguese translation of your document, but it's only suggested now.
Three months
Five years

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Q13 Distracted Which one of these countries has the toughest distracted driving laws?
United States
Australia
United Kingdom
Distracted driving is becoming a bigger problem than ever before. If you are caught playing with your phone, reading, or any other distracting thing while driving in the U.K., you can be fined over $200 and receive a huge strike on your driving record. So far, it's the toughest driving penalty in the world.
Japan

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Q14 Oman In Oman, drivers can get 10 days in jail and a $780 fine for doing what?
Sticking their arm out the window
Passing in the wrong lane
Running a red light
Using their phone
It's never a good idea to use your phone or any other handheld device while you're driving. In Oman, you will be given a stiff penalty for doing so. More than one offense results in the immediate revocation of your license.

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Q15 Double Yellow What do the double yellow lines found between lanes in the U.S. mean?
They separate two lanes of traffic moving in opposite directions.
Outside of freeways and highways, many roads in the United States have only two lanes. The double yellow line is used to separate lanes moving in opposite directions. If you were to see a dotted line on your side, it means you may pass on that section of the road.
Two yellow lines mean it's OK to pass.
Those lines indicate the carpool lane.
They mean the lanes are merging.

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Q16 Italy Which of these documents do you need to drive while visiting Italy?
Your birth certificate
A stamped visa
A travel waiver
An international driving permit
Called the IDP, many countries, including Italy, require that foreign drivers carry an International Driving Permit. You'll pay $15 for it, and you'll need to carry your original driver's license.

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Q17 Mexico Mexican teenagers can drive without supervision at what age?
18 years old
Much like the United States, teenagers in Mexico can drive with an adult-supervised permit starting around the age of 16. They cannot, however, drive without an adult until they are 18.
15 years old
13 years old
16 years old

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Q18 Do Not Pass In Thailand, what shape of sign indicates a no passing zone?
Circle
Triangle
As you travel throughout Thailand, you'll notice that many road signs also contain English lettering. The no passing zone sign, however, is only written in Thai. You can recognize it by its sideways triangular shape.
Octagon
Rectangle

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Q19 Bulgaria What is the minimum age a Bulgarian passenger must be to ride in the front seat?
18 years old
16 years old
10 years old
12 years old
Like most places in the world, Bulgaria also requires both the driver and passengers to wear seatbelts. In order to legally ride in the front seat, Bulgarian children must be at least 12 years of age or older.

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Q20 U-Turn Can you legally make a U-turn in India?
Yes
Drivers in India face some of the most crowded roadways in the world. While it is illegal to make a U-turn in an area marked with a sign prohibiting it, you can legally make a U-turn if there's no sign prohibiting it.
No

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Q21 Mud What part of your car must not have mud on it in Russia?
The bumper
The license plate
Winters in Russia can be quite harsh, and it can lead to messy cars. You can be fined for both driving a dirty car and for having mud on your license plates there. Make sure you keep your rental car clean!
The hood
The tires

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Q22 South African What is the general speed limit on South African highways?
60 mph
55 mph
70 mph
75 mph
South African motor vehicle laws are very similar to most of the laws found around the world. One exception is that the average speed limit on highways and rural roadways is 75 mph. The average highest speed limit in the United States is 70 mph.

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Q23 Peru What can you find roughly every mile on some Peruvian roadways?
Mile markers
Rest areas
Speed bumps
Driving in Peru is quite the experience! Honking is a common occurrence, streets are crowded and drivers are aggressive. In addition, the Peruvian government uses unannounced speed bumps to control traffic. You can find them in place of some stop signs and approximately every mile on the open road.
Pay phones

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Q24 Speed Limit The maximum speed limit in Malta is slower than average. What is it?
50 mph
Like the United Kingdom, Maltese drivers drive on the left-hand side of the road. Although roads are congested and there are no real highways on the island, driving is fairly easy there. Just remember that you can never exceed more than 50 mph!
35 mph
45 mph
40 mph

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Q25 Pass When driving in Portugal, how do you know it's safe to pass?
Solid yellow line
Dotted yellow line
Double yellow line
Dotted white line
Portuguese drivers are known as some of the most aggressive in the world. They are known for driving close to your bumper or passing you when they get the opportunity that's marked by a dotted white line.

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Q26 Driving Fine Is it true or false that you have to pay driving fines on the spot in Egypt?
True
False
If you face the unfortunate circumstance of receiving a traffic fine while driving in Egypt, you'll never be asked to pay it on the spot. You must take the ticket to the nearest police station and pay for it there.

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Q27 Night Driving Why should you avoid driving after 6 p.m. in Kenya?
They don't have headlights.
It's too dangerous.
You can't see potholes.
There's a perfectly logical reason why driving in Kenya is not advised after 6 p.m. Kenyan roads are notorious for car-disabling potholes, and local drivers use their bright lights to avoid them. It's nearly impossible to see potholes after 6 p.m.
Foreigners are not allowed to drive after 6 p.m.

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Q28 Iceland What sort of driving is illegal in Iceland?
Off-road driving
There are plenty of roads in Iceland that will give you the feeling of an off-road adventure. However, taking it upon yourself to go off-roading in unmarked places is illegal. Icelandic laws are designed with the environment in mind, and off-roading disrupts the preservation process.
Defensive driving
Slow driving
Nervous driving

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Q29 Greenland Will you be able to rent a car to explore Greenland while you're there?
Sure, they have plenty of rental agents.
No, but you can hire a driver.
Yes, but you can only drive in the city.
No, there are no roads between towns in Greenland.
Greenland offers some of the rawest and most unfiltered landscapes on the planet. You cannot rent a car and drive while you're there, though. Greenland is virtually free of roadways. If you want to tour it, you'll have to hire a dog sled or a plane.

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Q30 Driving Emergency If you have a driving emergency in Costa Rica, what number do you call?
511
999
911
Driving in Costa Rica is very similar to driving in most parts of the world, and roadways near more urban areas are well planned out. If you decide to tackle one of the country's more challenging back roads and you need assistance getting unstuck, you should call 911.
411

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Q31 Jamaica What should you do before you pass another vehicle in Jamaica?
Honk your horn.
It's not really a rule, but it is a Jamaican custom to honk your horn before you begin to overtake another driver. The audible alert lets both the driver you are passing and oncoming traffic to expect your move.
Flash your headlights.
Turn on your hazard lights.
Drive close to the other vehicle's bumper.

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Q32 Sicily While parking in Sicily, which color indicates a free parking space?
Blue
White
If you've rented a car for the Sicilian road trip of your dreams, be aware of the parking system there. White parking spaces are free spaces, but yellow spaces are reserved. You are welcome to use blue parking spaces, but you'll need to pay for them with a phone app or a ticket.
Yellow
Green

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Q33 Luxembourg If you're busted for speeding in Luxembourg, do you need to pay the fine on the spot?
Yes
Unlike Egypt where you head to the nearest police station to pay your fine, you must pay them on the spot in Luxembourg. Either don't break the law or make sure you have up to 140 euros on hand!
No

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Q34 Rental What must you have to legally drive a rental car in Bermuda?
A relative who lives there
An International Driving Permit
Citizenship
Bermuda has a very stern stance on letting foreign drivers behind the wheel — it's not allowed at all! Visitors to the island are welcome to rent a scooter, but they are not permitted to drive a rental car or a operate a loaner vehicle.
A passport

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Q35 Cuba Where can you expect to find street signs in Cuba?
In the middle of the road
To the left of the roadway
To the right of the roadway
On buildings
It might take your brain a few trips to adjust to the way Cuban road signs are displayed. Instead of being on or near the roadway, many of them are attached to the side of buildings. You'll have to look carefully! Many of them have been covered with paint or graffiti.

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