and a really daft question occurs to me:
How obvious are the speed limit signs in various European countries? Taking my own as an example, the motorways do not have a 70 sign on them. If the same is true in France, Belgium, Germany, etc. how am I supposed to know what speed I am allowed to do?
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France and Belgium do not use the NSL sign like we have here - the limits are shown in a normal red speed limit circle.
France to Belgium on the dual carriageway is mostly 110 and 130kph, on the Belgian dual carriageway and motorway i *think* it's mostly 120kph. Not sure about Germany.
If you drive at normal English trunk road speeds you'll probably be fine, and like i said speed limits are displayed as numbers anyway, not the NSL sign
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In France off the "A"s speed limit signs are in my experience not that commonly signed. Best example is that at the entry to a village there is a village name sign but not a 56kph limit sign - the name sign IS the limit sign, as the crossed name sign is the NSL sign at the exit from the village.
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In France off the "A"s speed limit signs are in my experience not that commonly signed. Best example is that at the entry to a village there is a village name sign but not a 56kph limit sign - the name sign IS the limit sign, as the crossed name sign is the NSL sign at the exit from the village.
So if I'm in an urban area in France, I can assume a 56kph limit?
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Can be signed as lower - lowest I have seen was 20kph.
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I agree - I'm sure you'll have little to worry about. I find that away from home turf you are more consicous of your speed and you'll usually be more aware of posted limits.
Also, I find it easier to ignore mph speeds and just get used to looking at your km/h scale. If you're constantly relating it back to mph limits in the UK it just adds confusion.
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German speed signs are well displayed ,a no limit sign in the autobahn means just that but watch out for the restricted sections again well posted but this is where lurks the dreaded cameras.Speeding is is enforced much more than in the uk.Especially France.
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Andy, where do you get the info re speeding enforecement in France? Do you mean there are more fixed and mobile cameras or that more people are caught and fined than are caught in UK? I think we had nearly 3 million speeding tickets issued in UK last year and I don't think the French can get near that! I have just been to a website which gives the positions of just 14 fixed cameras which are in the whole of North Paicardie and Pas de Calais, which is a very large area. This a link to a site giving the location of every fixed camera in France, by region
www.controleradar.org/
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And remember that in France (not sure about other countries)the speed limits drop when it's raining. By 20kph I think.
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As an expat living in Luxembourg I can tell you that in Luxembourg and France the motorway speed limit is 130 kph; in Belgium it's 120 kph, in Spain 120 kph. Speed limits are prominently signposted after you cross the border so it's just a question of slowing down a little and taking a mental note. Usually the speed limits for motorways and normal roads are given, as are the speed limits for rain. In Germany there are, in principle, no motorway speed limits, but you will find there are recommended speeds, given in blue, and stretches where a mandatory speed limit is imposed. If you break down on the autobahn in Germany, take a look at the white and black posts at the side of the road and the black arrow at the top will indicate the direction of the nearest emergency telephone. If you are entering Switzerland, buy a motorway sticker and display it inside your windscreen. It's a hefty fine if you don't buy one. You can buy them when you cross the border or from the AA and RAC. Don't know what the latest price is. Haven't driven in Austria or Italy for years so I don't know the latest laws. Otherwise, have a nice time.
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If you are entering Switzerland, buy a motorway sticker anddisplay it inside your windscreen. It's a hefty fine if you don't buy one. You can buy them when you cross the border or from the AA and RAC. Don't know what the latest price is. Haven't driven in Austria or Italy for years so I don't know the latest laws.
I believe you need a motorway sticker for Austria too.
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"So if I'm in an urban area in France, I can assume a 56kph limit?"
Think that is a typo - it's actually 50KPH (near enough 30 mph). The village sign is the start and the village exit (another village sign with a red line through it) is the finish. And they always have lots of "RAPPEL 50 KPH" (remember 50 kph) signs. In general, speed limits are well signed on the continent (it's just that the French take no notice!! - actually, they do in the towns and villages, but not on the autoroutes!)
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If you make it to Spain beware of very rapid changes of speed limits at entrances to industrial estates and housing complexes, road junctions, etc. For example, on a normal two-lane road with 90kph limit, in very quick succession you'll get an 80kph, then 60kph sign only 50m apart. The radar cars will be on the verge, and remember its payment on demand for non-residents.
Also drink-driving limits are lower than UK.
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