Britons holidaying in Europe could face fines of up to £1,500 this summer from ULEZ-like zones across the continent
- Cities in countries such as France, Spain and Italy are imposing restrictions
- If fines are not paid on the spot, families may be escorted to the ATM by the police
Britons holidaying in Europe could be hit across the continent this summer with ULEZ-like fines of up to £1,500.
Cities and towns in countries such as France, Spain and Italy are imposing restrictions on diesel and petrol cars that could lead to hefty fines for holidaymakers, according to a warning from the AA and the Alliance of British Drivers.
Due to foreign signage and varying systems, motorists may find it difficult to interpret where the boundaries for the low emission zones begin and end, the government said. Telegraph.
If the fines cannot be paid on the spot, families can even be escorted to the nearest ATM by the local police.
Among those that continue with the ULEZ-style zones are the major cities of Paris, Madrid, Barcelona and Milan.
Cities and towns in countries such as France, Spain and Italy are imposing restrictions on diesel and petrol cars likely to result in hefty fines for holidaymakers, according to a warning from the AA and the Alliance of British Drivers (stock image of Paris traffic)
AA chairman Edmund King said it was crucial for British holidaymakers to do some research before driving abroad to avoid hefty fines.
He told the Telegraph: “In the past, drivers had to be aware of the yellow vest and a warning triangle and, in some periods in France, a small self-test beatalyser, but that has since fallen by the wayside.”
For example, in Paris, cars must have a Crit’Air sticker showing that you have paid to enter one of the city’s low-emission zones.
The fines currently range from £58 to £119 but are likely to rise to £750 under the new rules banning fossil fuel powered cars built before 2006.
While the measures should come into effect as early as 2022, they have been postponed to July 1 this year and are likely to be postponed again after the vote on them was postponed to July 14 due to last week’s riots.
Madrid’s low-emission zones were already expanded in January. To enter, holidaymakers must register and present a sticker, which can be purchased for €3 for petrol cars and €6 for diesel cars.
In total there are 11 cities in France and nine in Spain with low emission zones.
More than two in five British drivers looking to drive abroad are unaware of the new emissions restrictions in European cities, according to the Telegraph.
Research suggests that European cities enforcing their zones could result in additional points being added to UK holidaymakers’ driving licenses for breaking these laws, rather than avoiding fines by returning to the UK.