The 10 Weirdest Driving Laws in the World

There can be times in our everyday lives when we lose perspective. Something you find annoying or irritating can seem like the worst thing in the world at the time. In order to give us all a reality check and a chuckle at the same time, we at Economy Car Hire have collected some of the wackiest driving laws on the planet. Sometimes it’s just good to realise that you are not the only person that is affected by nonsensical red-tape.

1. But it’s not dark?

In Sweden, regardless of the time of year, it is compulsory to have your headlight on at all times. Even during June when there is 24 hours of sunlight in some areas.

2. Don’t get angry

Don’t shake your fist at other drivers in Cyprus, it’s illegal. The law states that it’s illegal to unnecessarily remove your hands from the steering wheel, so make sure you keep your calm at all times.

3. Keep it clean

It is an offense to have a dirty car in Russia. Not keeping your car pristine can incur a fine, which is made by the judgement of the police officer on the scene, however this is rarely enforced.

4. Seeing double

In Spain, alongside carrying high visibility jackets in your car at all times, and subsequently wearing them if you have to leave your vehicle on a motorway. It is also a legal requirement that every driver who wears glasses must carry a spare pair with them in the car.

5. Take your turn

In Metro Manila, Philippines, there are big problems with traffic congestions. This has however, lead to a fairly creative solution to the problem. Through the use of number coding the government has devised a law that means only certain car registration plates can drive on different days of the week. For example, you can’t drive on a Monday between 7am and 7pm if your car registration ends in a 1 or 2.

6. Keep clear

In Montreal, Canada, there are limits to where you can park your car on your own driveway. It is illegal to block access to your drive by parking your car across it. As bizarre as this seems, it is also illegal to wash your car if it parked on the street, or drive a moving vehicle with a ‘for sale’ sign in it.

7. Walkies

In Alaska someone felt the need to make a particularly interesting motoring law. It is illegal to drive a car with a dog tethered to the roof. I don’t think there’s much more to say about that one, your guess is as good as mine.

8. Cold turkey

If you regularly transport poultry in your car, check it’s alive before you head off. In Topeka, Kansas, it is illegal to drive down Kansas Avenue carrying dead poultry. Make sure you skip that chicken salad you were going to take for lunch.

9. No, after you

Sometimes it can be confusing when driving in another country to work out who has the right of way. In South Africa it’s easy. Animals have the right of way at all times.

10. A day of rest

It’s the weekend and you think you might clean your car on Sunday. Well you’d be breaking the law in Switzerland. It is illegal to wash your car on a Sunday as it may disturb others.

For more wacky trivia, you could learn about the most eccentric festivals in Australia.

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Written by Nicholas Ferns from Economy Car Hire