European Consumer Centres Network

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1 European Consumer Centres Network TOURISM IN LUXEMBURG This brochure will provide you with information on driving in Luxemburg. You will find practical advice and important legal information covering the different topics. We have tried to include all the relevant information concerning travels and stay in Luxemburg; however the information provided is not fully detailed on all points and should be viewed as a guide not as a verbatim statement of the law. Driving in Luxemburg Papers The minimum age for driving in Luxemburg is 18 years. Children under 3 years old must be seated in an approved child seat, or if they are under 1,50m (until 17 years old). If the child is over 1,50m high, he can seat in the passenger seat by using the safety belt. It is forbidden to carry a child in a rear-facing baby seat if the front seat is equipped with a frontal airbag, unless this device is inactive. The supervised driving ( conduite accompagnée ) allows driving from 17 years old on, within the territory of Luxemburg. The driver must use a special sign ( L letter in a white background). Foreign supervised drivers are not allowed to drive inside the territory of Luxemburg.

2 It is compulsory to carry your driving licence, registration certificate and insurance documents. EU driving licences or International Driving Licences are accepted for driving in Luxemburg. Moreover, cars registered in Luxemburg must acquit a road-fund license and fulfil a technical inspection. Speed limits On the Luxemburgish roads generally your speed is limited to: o 50 km/h in built-up areas* *: some urban or pedestrian areas are limited to 20km/h or 30km/h o 90 km/h outside built-up areas o 130 km/h on highways, 110 km/h when raining Please note in Luxembourg, there are no fixed radar traffic detectors for the moment. If you exceed the speed limit, you may be fined from 49 to 145. You can also loose some points on your 12 points driving licence. For foreign drivers, the loss of the 12 points has for consequence the interdiction to drive inside the territory of Luxemburg. Inside builtup areas Outside builtup areas Highways Authorized maximal speed Simple fine 49 Serious fine pts High speed offense 4 pts 50 km/h km/h > 65 km/h > 75 km/h 90 km/h km/h > 110 km/h > 135 km/h 130 km/h (110 km/h) km/h > 155 km/h > 195 km/h Traffic rules Priority to traffic coming from the right applies, unless there is a road marking indicating that you have priority. Safety

3 Safety belts are compulsory for all the occupants of the vehicle that is to say for both front- and rear-seat passengers. There must be one safety belt per passenger. In the event of a police check, the offender risks a fine of 49 and a of 1 point on his driving license. Mobile telephones may not be used while driving, unless you are using a wireless system (and not a simple hands-free headset). In the case of a police check, the offender risks a fine of 74. Vehicle Equipment The car must be equipped with a safety jacket and an emergency road triangle. The car must have the same tire definition on each axle (front and rear). For example, you can not use at the same time summer and winter tires. Alcohol and drugs Luxemburg has strict rules concerning the drunk driving; the legal in-blood alcohol limit is 0.5g/l of blood. In case of police check, your can be fined according to this scheme: Alcohol rate in fine prison Points Immediate licence Until 0.5 no no no no From 0.5 to no 2 no From 0.8 to to 500 (alternative training) no 2 no Over to days to 3 years 4 yes The Police have also the power to search for drugs. If the test is positive, the offender will have to submit to blood and urine tests. In the case he refuses, the offender automatically risks the maximum punishment for this offense.

4 Over certain levels of drugs detected, the sanctions are fines from 800 to and/or from 8 days to 1 year of prison. Toll Roads In Luxemburg there is not toll road or highway. Petrol/Fuel Because of a lower VAT (15%), the fuel is generally cheaper in Luxemburg than in the border countries. EN FR Unleaded gazoline Sans plomb 95 or ou 98 Diesel fuel Diesel LPG GPL Major credit cards are accepted. Generally you can pay at a booth, or by inserting your card into the machine near the pumps. Please be careful of the fact that the most commons credit cards (such as Eurocard, Visa, American Express ) are generally accepted but not all foreign credit cards. Traffic accident If you are involved in an accident in Luxemburg, your insurance should cover any injury or damage that you may cause to another part. The compensation amount usually depends on the kind of policy contracted. Please check details with your insurer before travelling to Luxemburg. You must keep your certificate of insurance inside the vehicle. The insurance agent will also provide an accident report sheet

5 ( constat amiable d'accident ) which should always be kept in the car. In the case of an accident involving only material damages, establishing an accident report sheet is sufficient. In the case of physical injuries, the police should be called. Do not hesitate to see a doctor, even for light harms. If you are hurt, the hospital delivers the necessary documents for your insurance company. If you are not sent to hospital, have a medical certificate established. The accident report sheet is to be filled out at the scene of the accident; it is purely a statement of facts not an establishment of blame. But do not sign any document if you do not understand it or if you don t agree with it, it can be used as evidence. If more than two cars are involved, a separate constat form should be completed with each part. Try to be as precise as possible in the description of the accident. Both parts then sign the completed document. If a driver refuses to sign the form, make a note of the registration number and take the details of any witnesses or police officers. If neither driver has an accident report sheet available, then the report can be done by letter. In case of an accident in Luxemburg, as a general rule, Luxemburgish law will apply to determine responsibilities and compensation of undergone damages. If you are not responsible for the accident, the directive 2000 / 26 / EC of May 16, 2000 allows you to demand a compensation in your country of place of residence. Your insurer, or yourself, should contact the representative of the opposite insurance company in your country. Every European insurer indeed has to appoint a competent correspondent in the other member states. You should receive an offer of compensation in the three months of the demand. If you have difficulties to find

6 the coordinates of this interlocutor, you should contact the body created for that purpose in your country. If an uninsured or unidentifiable car caused the accident, you are entitled under Community law to compensation from the motor vehicle guarantee fund of your country. Parking in Luxembourg Parking-meters ( horodateurs ) are common throughout Luxemburg. The price and time limit are written on the machine, and usually need currencies. Some Parking Disk areas also exist. Because of high overtime fees, be sure to check the limit time when retrieving a ticket. Since October 2006, the city of Luxemburg proposes a service to pay parking tickets by phone («Call2Park). To use it, you need to subscribe ( and then to send an SMS (on a luxemburgish operator network) or to give a phone call. Important: illegally parked vehicles may be wheel-clamped or towed. Car rental If you rent a vehicle, you should know that it is always the paper contract which you sign in the agency when picking up the car that prevails. Please keep all receipts and information from the car renting company, and do not hesitate to ask questions. Don t forget to enquire about the coverage of insurances included in the rent contract. Have a close look at the car and report immediately by writing any damage you notice at the pick up of the car. At the return, you should also write down the state of the car, especially if there is no damage. Another advice: ask for the opening hours of the agency, to be able to return the car in person. If you leave the vehicle on the

7 parking of the company outside the opening hours, you can be held responsible for damages caused to the vehicle If you, as a foreign consumer, are feeling mistreated by a Luxemburgish professional, the European Consumer Centres (ECCs) will be pleased to help you to find an amicable settlement of the dispute. You can find further information and a complete list of all ECCs under: ECC Luxembourg 55, rue des Bruyères L-1274 Howald info@cecluxembourg.lu / Tel: (+352) / Fax: (+352)