[sivraj494]

Hi,

Does anybody know how old you have to be before you can drive abroad?

I live in the UK, and wanted to go to Europe next year with a friend in our car, but we will only be 17.

Thanks for any help.

[noshoulders]

It's 25 for insurance on hire cars, but as far as i know, if you've got a full license and your insurance will cover you there's no age restrictions. Could be worth checking your breakdown/accident cover will cover you thru europe as well.

[sivraj494]

Is anybody able to confirm whether at the age of 17 I would be able to drive on the continent, in my own car?

[loz]

does no one know how to search, or use wikipedia these days
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Driver's_license
see EU

[Pat_C]

The legal driving age in most European countries is 18 - as it should be here. Even if you have a full UK license.

In any case it wouldn't be a great idea for an inexperienced driver. Especially if you planned on going anywhere near any French or Italian cities where cars are considered to be missiles rather than vehicles.

[Hi-Def]

you cant drive abroad if youve had your licence for less than 1 year

so nope you wont be able to drive there at 17 anyway

you have to be 18 for definate as you can only pass the day your 17

[IronGiant]

There is some useful information here:

http://www.ferry-to-france.co.uk/driving_abroad.html

The bad news is that it does look like you need to be 18 to drive in most of continental Europe. Not what you wanted to hear I'm sure, sorry.

Germany seems to be the exception, where you can drive at 17, but you have to get there...

Dave

[penno116]

Originally Posted by noshoulders

It's 25 for insurance on hire cars, but as far as i know, if you've got a full license and your insurance will cover you there's no age restrictions. Could be worth checking your breakdown/accident cover will cover you thru europe as well.

21 on hire cars.

you cant drive in france until you are 18 regardless of your licence or insurance

[Pat_C]

Originally Posted by penno116

21 on hire cars.

I think that depends on the hire company, but I've never come across one where it is less than 21.

[Duncan G]

Minimum driving age 17 with full licence in Ireland, Germany and Luxemborg. 18 every where else in Europe.

Going to be short trip!

This site has info about driving abroad.

http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/

[Nobber22]

Originally Posted by Pat_C

In any case it wouldn't be a great idea for an inexperienced driver. Especially if you planned on going anywhere near any French or Italian cities where cars are considered to be missiles rather than vehicles.

That's good advice. Use trains instead.

[Hi-Def]

the minimum driving ages maybe 17 or 18 in other countries but the fact is you need to have passed your test for atleast one year before you can drive abroad

this is more important than the minimum ages as its means you HAVE to be over 18 since even if you pass your test the day your 17 you cant drive abroad until the day your 18.

[sivraj494]

Thanks for the information guys. Guess we will be going in 2009 then. At least it gives us another year to save up the money, and go further afield.

We'll just have to go to my relatives house in Cyprus next year then.

[alexs2]

Thanks to everyone for the heads-up.....I've checked for a visit later this year and found my son won't be able to share the hire car duties with me.