International Driving Guide
Everything You Need to Drive Abroad in 2026
Fuel prices, unit conversions, driving rules, and practical tips — all in one place for expats, travelers, and cross-border drivers.
⛽ Global Fuel Prices (April 2026)
Fuel prices vary dramatically around the world. Middle East tensions have pushed Brent crude above $94/barrel in 2026, making cost tracking more important than ever.
| Region | Petrol (per liter) | Petrol (per gallon) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | $1.07 | $4.06 | National avg. California $5.89/gal |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | $1.68 | $6.36 | Record highs due to oil shock |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | $1.78 | $6.74 | Includes energy tax + VAT |
| 🇫🇷 France | $1.85 | $7.00 | Diesel historically cheaper |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | $2.18 | $8.25 | Among Europe's most expensive |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | $2.05 | $7.76 | High taxes, but most drive EVs |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | $1.52 | $5.75 | Southern Europe mid-range |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | $1.40 | $5.30 | One of the cheapest in the EU |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | $1.35 | $5.11 | Government subsidies in effect |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | $1.25 | $4.73 | Prices vary by state |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | $0.75 | $2.84 | Among the world's cheapest |
| 🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | $0.62 | $2.35 | Heavily subsidized |
💡 Pro tip: When crossing borders in Europe, fill up in cheaper countries (Poland, Spain, Luxembourg) before entering expensive ones (Netherlands, Norway, Denmark). MileFlow tracks costs in any currency automatically.
🔄 Quick Unit Conversions
Different countries use different units for fuel and distance. Here's what you need to know:
Volume
- 1 US gallon = 3.785 liters
- 1 UK gallon = 4.546 liters
- 1 liter = 0.264 US gallons
Most of the world sells fuel in liters. Only the US, Liberia, and some Caribbean nations use gallons.
Distance
- 1 mile = 1.609 km
- 1 km = 0.621 miles
- 100 km ≈ 62 miles
Miles are used in the US, UK, and Myanmar. Everyone else uses kilometers.
Fuel Economy
- L/100km → MPG: 235.21 ÷ L/100km
- 30 MPG (US) = 7.84 L/100km
- 8 L/100km = 29.4 MPG (US)
Europe & Australia use L/100km (lower = better). US & UK use MPG (higher = better).
🚗 Which Side of the Road?
About 56 countries drive on the left (mostly former British colonies). The remaining 197 countries drive on the right.
🔵 Drive on the LEFT
UK, Japan, Australia, India, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, Kenya, New Zealand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta
🟢 Drive on the RIGHT
US, Canada, all of continental Europe, China, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Russia, Middle East (except Cyprus), most of Africa & South America
⚠️ Switching sides? Take extra care at roundabouts, turning, and highway on-ramps. Rent an automatic transmission your first time — it's one less thing to think about.
🏎️ Highway Speed Limits
| Country | Highway (km/h) | Highway (mph) | Urban (km/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇩🇪 Germany (Autobahn) | No limit* | — | 50 |
| 🇵🇱 Poland | 140 | 87 | 50 |
| 🇫🇷 France | 130 | 81 | 50 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 130 | 81 | 50 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 120 | 75 | 50 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 112 (70 mph) | 70 | 48 (30 mph) |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 105–130† | 65–80 | 40–56 |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 100–120 | 62–75 | 40–60 |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 100–130 | 62–81 | 50 |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | 100 | 62 | 50 |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | 120–140 | 75–87 | 60–80 |
* ~70% of the Autobahn has no speed limit; advisory speed is 130 km/h. † Varies by state (Texas allows 85 mph on some toll roads).
🍷 Blood Alcohol Limits by Country
Drink-driving laws vary significantly. Some countries have zero tolerance; others allow up to 0.08% BAC. Penalties range from fines to immediate imprisonment. When in doubt: don't drink and drive.
| Country | BAC Limit | New/Young Drivers | Penalty Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero tolerance — any alcohol is illegal |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero tolerance |
| 🇧🇷 Brazil | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero tolerance since 2012 |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | 0.02% | 0.02% | Among the strictest in Western Europe |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | 0.02% | 0.02% | Heavy fines + license suspension |
| 🇯🇵 Japan | 0.03% | 0.03% | Passengers can also be penalized |
| 🇷🇺 Russia | 0.04% | 0.04% | Recently lowered |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | 0.05% | 0.00% | Zero for drivers under 21 or <2 years licensed |
| 🇫🇷 France | 0.05% | 0.02% | Must carry breathalyzer (not enforced but recommended) |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | 0.05% | 0.00% | Zero for learner & provisional drivers |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 0.05% | 0.03% | Stricter for novice & professional drivers |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | 0.08% | 0.08% | Scotland is stricter at 0.05% |
| 🇺🇸 United States | 0.08% | 0.00–0.02% | Utah is 0.05%; under-21 is zero tolerance |
| 🇦🇪 UAE | 0.00% | 0.00% | Zero tolerance — severe penalties |
⚠️ International drivers beware: In many countries, police can stop you for random breath tests without cause. Penalties for tourists can include vehicle impounding and deportation. Always check local laws before your trip.
🛣️ European Toll Roads & Vignettes (2026)
European countries use two toll systems: distance-based tolls (pay per km, like France and Italy) and time-based vignettes (buy a sticker for a period, like Austria and Switzerland). Driving without the correct vignette can result in fines of €120–€3,000.
| Country | System | Short Stay Price (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇹 Austria | Vignette (digital) | 1-day €9.60 · 10-day €12.80 | Extra tolls for Brenner, Tauern, Arlberg tunnels |
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Vignette (annual only) | CHF 42.50 (~€42) | Valid 14 months (Dec–Jan). No short-term option |
| 🇨🇿 Czech Republic | Vignette (digital) | 1-day €9.20 · 10-day €12.50 | Buy online before arrival at edalnice.cz |
| 🇸🇮 Slovenia | Vignette (digital) | 7-day €16 · 1-month €32 | Buy at evinjeta.dars.si or border stations |
| 🇭🇺 Hungary | Vignette (digital) | 10-day ~€15 | E-vignette linked to license plate |
| 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Vignette (digital) | 10-day €12 | Buy at eznamka.sk |
| 🇫🇷 France | Distance-based tolls | Varies (€0.09–€0.14/km) | Paris → Lyon ~€35, Paris → Nice ~€80 |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | Distance-based tolls | Varies (€0.07–€0.10/km) | Milan → Rome ~€45, use Telepass for speed |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Mixed (some free, some tolled) | Varies | Autopistas (AP) are tolled; Autovías (A) are free |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Free for cars | Free | Autobahn is toll-free for vehicles under 3.5t |
| 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Free (mostly) | Free | Only 2 toll tunnels in the entire country |
💡 Buy vignettes before you cross the border. Most countries now offer digital e-vignettes linked to your license plate — buy online, skip the queue. MileFlow can track your toll expenses alongside fuel costs.
🆘 Emergency Numbers for Drivers
Save these numbers in your phone before every international trip. In an accident or breakdown, knowing the right number can save critical time.
🇪🇺 Europe (all EU countries)
- Emergency (all services): 112
- Works from any phone, even without a SIM
- Operators speak multiple languages
🇺🇸 USA & 🇨🇦 Canada
- Emergency (all services): 911
- Non-emergency police varies by city
- Roadside: AAA +1-800-222-4357
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
- Emergency: 999 or 112
- AA Breakdown: 0800 887 766
- RAC Breakdown: 0333 2000 999
🇦🇺 Australia
- Emergency: 000 (or 112 on mobile)
- Police non-emergency: 131 444
🇯🇵 Japan
- Police: 110
- Ambulance/Fire: 119
- JAF Roadside: +81-570-00-8139
🇦🇪 UAE
- Police: 999
- Ambulance: 998
- Always report accidents — it's legally required
📱 Pro tip: 112 works on most mobile networks worldwide (including the US) — your phone will route it to local emergency services. Save it as a backup in every country. Germany's ADAC roadside assistance: +49 89 22 22 22.
🧰 Mandatory Car Equipment by Country
Many countries require specific safety equipment in your car. Rental companies usually provide these, but always double-check — fines for missing items can be steep.
| Equipment | Required In | Fine If Missing |
|---|---|---|
| ⚠️ Warning triangle | Most of Europe (mandatory in France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Poland) | €30–€200 |
| 🦺 High-visibility vest | France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Portugal, Hungary | €25–€150 |
| 🩹 First aid kit | Germany, Austria, Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia | €15–€150 |
| 🔥 Fire extinguisher | Poland, Romania, Greece, Turkey, Baltic states | €20–€100 |
| 💡 Spare bulb kit | France (recommended), Spain, Czech Republic, Croatia | €30–€90 |
| 🔦 Headlamp beam deflectors | Required when driving a UK car in continental Europe (or vice versa) | Varies |
| ❄️ Winter tires / snow chains | Germany, Austria, Sweden, Finland, Norway (seasonal — typically Nov–Mar) | €60–€5,000 |
💡 Renting a car? Ask the rental company to confirm all legally required equipment is present before you drive off. Take a photo of the equipment as proof. Some countries also require a national sticker (e.g., "GB" or country identifier) for foreign-registered vehicles.
📋 International Driving Permit (IDP)
An IDP translates your driver's license into multiple languages and is recognized in 175+ countries. It does not replace your license — always carry both.
IDP Required
Japan (strictly enforced), Italy, Thailand, South Korea, Greece, Austria, Vietnam
Strongly Recommended
Spain, Germany, France, Portugal, UAE, Indonesia, Turkey, Brazil
Not Accepted / Not Needed
China (local license required), EU-to-EU (EU license valid across all EU states), Canada (for US license holders)
💡 Get your IDP before you travel. In the US, apply through AAA ($20). In the UK, apply at the Post Office (£5.50). Processing takes minutes in person.
💰 Money-Saving Tips for International Drivers
Track Every Fill-Up
Use MileFlow to log fuel costs in any currency. Compare your actual consumption across countries and vehicles to spot trends and save.
Fill Up Strategically
Cross-border fuel prices can differ by 50%+. In Europe, fill your tank in Luxembourg, Poland, or Austria before entering the Netherlands, Denmark, or Norway.
Drive Efficiently
Reduce highway speed by 10 km/h, maintain tire pressure, and avoid aggressive acceleration. These habits alone can cut fuel costs by 15–20%.
Know Toll Costs in Advance
Many European countries require toll vignettes (Austria, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Slovenia). Buy them at the border — fines for missing vignettes are steep (€120–€800).
