If you think it’s hard to get used to different laws in the United States, consider some of the strange driving laws in other countries.
We see nations where the cars are made with the driver on the opposite side of the car, some places where you get fined for the smallest infraction, and some laws that just seem absurd.
Let’s explore:
Keep Your Car Clean in Russia
You might not think of Russia as the nation of cleanliness, but a dirty car in this country could lead to a fine of up to 2,000 rubles. If you’re a clean car freak, you’re probably in favor of this law but might not like it when it’s getting close to time to wash your ride.
Pedestrians Need to Look Out in Beijing
While we will give pedestrians the right of way here in the United States, it’s illegal to stop for pedestrians while driving in Beijing. If you’re walking around in this city, you better be aware of this odd and dangerous driving law that could get you hit.
Japan Treats Pedestrians the Right Way
If you think it’s funny to splash water or mud on pedestrians, you won’t think so when you get a ticket for doing just that in Japan. As one of the most courteous countries in the world, this is an important one of their driving laws that you must obey.
Keep Your Shirt on in Thailand
Driving around in summer can be fun to do without a shirt on, but if you’re driving in Thailand, you need to keep that shirt on. It’s illegal to drive without a shirt in this country which will give you a fine that isn’t much but certainly isn’t worth driving without your top on.
Put the Bells on in Canada
Some Canadians have sleighs that they will drive around in winter when the snow hits the ground. For these sleighs to avoid a fine, they have to include the minimum number of bells, which is two. Thankfully, that’s a pretty easy number to hit.
A Truly Unsightly Delight in San Francisco
Yes, we have some strange driving laws here in the United States, and San Francisco is home to one of them. In this city, it’s illegal to polish your vehicle with used underwear. This might make you wonder what had to happen to require this law.
No Open Container Law in Costa Rica
If you want to drink and drive, head to Costa Rica. It’s perfectly legal to have an alcoholic beverage while you’re driving in this country. Of course, if you have a blood-alcohol level of more than 0.75, you’re going to receive fines and penalties, but drinking while driving is allowed.
Finish Your Meal Elsewhere in Cyprus
We don’t know if Cyprus has any drive-thru restaurants, but in this area, you cannot eat or drink while driving. This is probably one of the most practical driving laws on this list, but it seems odd that a law was made for this particular distraction.
Don’t Drive on Mondays in Manila
In Manila, Philippines, you cannot drive on Mondays if your number plate ends in 1 or 2. That seems like an odd restriction, but that’s the law. If you have one of those plates, it’s a good idea to make sure you don’t have to work on Mondays.
Florida is Always Crazy
We love to make fun of Florida and the strange conglomeration of events that take place in this state. If you tie an elephant to a parking meter in Florida, you must deposit money the same way you would if you were parking a car at the meter. What a strange law.
Keep Your Arms and Legs Inside when in Australia
You can’t put your arm out the window and feel the breeze when driving around in Australia. One of the strange driving laws we have found states that this could result in a fine of up to $337 AUS. This might sound like common sense but think about how often you see limbs out of vehicles in the US.
Don’t Stop on the Autobahn in Germany
The Autobahn is one of the most famous roads in the world, and it’s a road in Germany without speed limits that many speed junkies have visited to drive on. On this road, it’s illegal to stop or break down except for an emergency.
Close that Door Nicely in Switzerland
Sometimes we get frustrated, and one of the things we do is slam the car door. Don’t do that in Switzerland, it’s strictly prohibited. This is certainly one of the strangest driving laws, but it is something you need to be aware of before you take out your anger on your car door.
Headlights on in Sweden
It doesn’t matter how much daylight you see around you, if you’re driving around in Sweden, you’re required to have your headlights turned on. There is a month, June, in which parts of the country are in constant light, but you still must use your headlights while driving.
Know Your BAC in France
France requires its drivers to know whether or not they are over the legal blood-alcohol level to drive. They are required to carry a breathalyzer kit in the vehicle to measure this level when they have had a few drinks. No surprises when being pulled over in France.
Backward Rules in Saudi Arabia
This middle eastern country does not permit women to drive, but they are allowed to own a car. While the ownership of a car is probably progress to some in that country, the fact that a woman cannot drive is absurd.
A Fire Extinguisher is Required in Bulgaria
The population of Bulgaria must be a makeshift fire department. One of the oddest driving laws is the fact that drivers much have a fire extinguisher onboard to drive. This might seem like a practical and important law, but is it absolutely necessary?
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