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25-07-2007, 4:36 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 218
Thanks: Gave 49, Got 18 | Driving age abroad??
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.
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25-07-2007, 5:00 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 414
Thanks: Gave 32, Got 33 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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.
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26-07-2007, 9:53 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 218
Thanks: Gave 49, Got 18 | Re: Driving age abroad??
Is anybody able to confirm whether at the age of 17 I would be able to drive on the continent, in my own car?
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26-07-2007, 10:12 PM
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#5 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berkshire
Posts: 108
Thanks: Gave 126, Got 236 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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.
__________________ It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything. |
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26-07-2007, 11:21 PM
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#6 (permalink)
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Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry
Posts: 800
Thanks: Gave 9, Got 37 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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
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27-07-2007, 2:03 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 3,568
Thanks: Gave 581, Got 1,554 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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
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We all stand on the shoulders of giants... My personal opinion is not necessarily AVF policy.
Last edited by IronGiant; 27-07-2007 at 2:09 AM.
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27-07-2007, 10:32 AM
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#8 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 579
Thanks: Gave 47, Got 28 | Re: Driving age abroad?? Quote:
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
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27-07-2007, 10:44 AM
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#9 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Berkshire
Posts: 108
Thanks: Gave 126, Got 236 | Re: Driving age abroad?? Quote:
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.
__________________ It's only after we've lost everything that we're free to do anything. |
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27-07-2007, 10:55 AM
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#10 (permalink)
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Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 258
Thanks: Gave 24, Got 189 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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/ |
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27-07-2007, 11:06 AM
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#11 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2,303
Thanks: Gave 3, Got 106 | Re: Driving age abroad?? Quote:
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.
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27-07-2007, 11:10 AM
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#12 (permalink)
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Join Date: May 2006 Location: Coventry
Posts: 800
Thanks: Gave 9, Got 37 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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.
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27-07-2007, 12:31 PM
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#13 (permalink)
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Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 218
Thanks: Gave 49, Got 18 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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.
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27-07-2007, 12:36 PM
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#14 (permalink)
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Posts: 8,781
Thanks: Gave 199, Got 665 | Re: Driving age abroad??
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.
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