A tourist's guide to driving in Europe

Planning your first road trip around Europe, or just looking to rent a car for a few days on your trip to Amsterdam or Paris? For Americans, driving in Europe can be a strange experience. European cars can feel like completely different beasts, and that's not to mention the roads. There are different rules, some countries drive on the other side of the road, signage is completely different, and some cars are only usable in certain countries. If you're from the USA and are planning on whizzing around Europe by car, you'll want to check out our guide before taking the wheel.

First things first, can you drive a stick? There are a lot more manual/stick shift vehicles in Europe than there are in the United States, so if you can't drive a stick and you're looking at renting or purchasing a car, particularly on a lower budget, establish if there are any automatic cars available. Otherwise, you better learn quickly!

Second, Europeans tend to drive smaller cars than the ones you are used to in the US. This is due to the fact that a lot of times our parking spaces are smaller and the roads are more narrow. But don't worry you will also manage to commute with a larger car as well.

That is why you should consider what kind of car you might need, so it can suit your type of sightseeing and so you can still feel comfortable driving it.

When planning your trip, consider an International Driving Permit. Driving in Europe with a US license is acceptable in most countries, but not all of them so make sure to check it before arrival, or just to be safe acquire an international license. When you're traveling to non-English speaking countries, they can make interactions with police easier and help you identify yourself when necessary. An international driver's license application is cheap and easy to fill out, so getting one is not really a big deal, especially when it can save you a lot of trouble.

Parking in most European cities can be incredibly difficult and extremely expensive. Make things easy on yourself and park at your hotel when you arrive at your destination, and then use public transport to get around. Most Radisson Blu hotels offer parking. For example, if traveling to Paris, you can stay at the Radisson Blu Hotel Paris Boulogne which is just outside the city center, park in the underground parking, and then get around by metro during your stay. Most often, public transport is efficient, easy to use, and cheaper than driving into the city, anyway.

Be aware that if you're traveling between Eastern Europe and Western Europe, or between EU and non-EU countries, many rental companies don't allow their cars to go between these spaces. Ask and confirm where you can travel with the company before you hit the road. Note that you may need to change your initially planned routes to avoid the countries your car isn't able to visit.

Note as well that some cities require clear air certificates. Are you traveling through Paris, Lyon, or another low-emission zone? If so, you are required to have a clean air certificate to prove your vehicle creates an acceptable amount of emissions. Most EU car dealers will be aware of this, and will actually provide these for you, but always check to make sure.

Psst! If you're a foodie, we highly recommend including Lyon in your itinerary. Discover why it's considered France's gastronomic capital.

Refueling your rental car

Refueling in Europe looks a bit different that what you are used to. To start, many ars (that you wouldn't expect) operate on diesel so make sure what your car needs before filling out the tank. If you are not sure you can always ask someone for help. Also, an important thing to keep in mind is that in Europe, gas is measured in liters. When driving keep an eye on your fuel levels and when is your closest fuel station. In some countries, they can be quite spread out so avoid driving on the fumes. In some countries, you will be also asked to first put in your fuel and then pay-exact opposite to how it is in the US. 

If you plan to rent an electric car keep in mind where are the closest charging stations because they are not yet as widely available in some countries. If you want to learn more on that topic check out the Radisson Blu destinations you can explore by an electric car on our guide to the top 3 roadtrips.

You'd think countries under one union would have standardized road rules, but this isn't the case. The road rules in Europe can change dramatically from place to place. Some countries require your headlights to be on at all times, and most countries ban cell phone use and require reflective jackets as well as first aid kits... In France, you even need a breathalyzer on board, in Germany, you have highways with no speed limit... So always ask and/or do your research before you drive into a new country.

Driving through Europe is an incredible experience, from the shores of Loch Lomond in Scotland to the Formula One driving tracks of Belgium, and definitely a must-do for every traveler. Keep calm, stay informed, follow the rules, and remember that things can take a few days to adjust. You'll get it eventually!

Oh, and if you're American, check out our guide to visiting Europe for the first time!

Hit the road and discover the 130+ destinations you can explore in Europe with Radisson Blu! 

About the author: Harper is a travel enthusiast and passionate creative writer residing in the beautiful city of Auckland, New Zealand. She has penned articles for travel and lifestyle blogs, and local business sites. To get to know Harper more through her writing, follow her on Tumblr.