Questions tagged [automobiles]

Car-related travel questions. See also the "car-rental", "driving", and "road-trips" tags.

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12 votes
2 answers
649 views

All day vs street parking in Edinburgh and Glasgow

We're planning a road trip through England and Scotland next month and we'll have a car rental. While the plan is to focus on the rural parts, we do want to spend a day in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Is ...
3 votes
0 answers
150 views

Can a car with a B or C sticker drive in central Madrid if it does not park on the street?

Madrid has Low Emission Zones (Zonas de Bajas Emisiones (ZBE)) where cars are restricted in where they can drive depending on how polluting they are (mainly in terms of Greenhouse Gas emissions). B ...
-3 votes
1 answer
159 views

Van office, DIY or bought? [closed]

First, this is more of a "What-if" type of question, open for discussion. I am currently a student at a German university and I dream of working remotely, in the IT sector, from a van, so ...
14 votes
6 answers
4k views

Where is the best place to pick up/drop off at Heathrow without paying?

Heathrow has started charging £5 for using the drop off zone and the short stay has a minimum charge of £7.50. Given that the traveller is fit and active, and both have mobile telephones (mounted in ...
7 votes
1 answer
2k views

How to fight being charged for a full tank at Enterprise Zurich?

I rented a car 2 months ago from Enterprise in Zurich airport and got tricked. The sum isn't big but I don't like it since I chose them to avoid this over other cheaper options. When fetching the car, ...
3 votes
2 answers
319 views

Parking in Prague center

I have booked a hotel in the center of Prague. Unfortunately they don't provide parking. What is the best possible option (cost) for parking the car downtown? Where can I get parking tickets (machine/...
10 votes
7 answers
4k views

How can I get insured to drive any car in any country without owning a car?

I have a UK driving licence and travel outside Europe often, including to the US and Australia. I do not, however, own a car. How can I get insured to drive other people's cars in other countries, ...
0 votes
0 answers
190 views

How can I be informed of the presence of streets closed to cars during some time of the day?

Some streets are closed to cars during some time of the day, e.g. when more pedestrians are expected to frequent the street or when the tide is up. How can I be informed of the existence of such ...
-1 votes
1 answer
1k views

Cheapest way of shipping my car from Canada to Europe?

I am curious about the most economic way to travel from Canada to and through Europe and was thinking to load camping gear into a hatchback and put it on a ferry to somewhere in Europe (e.g. Hamburg, ...
0 votes
2 answers
352 views

Where in Europe is public transport more popular than car use?

This is inspired by a post here. https://twitter.com/NeilDotObrien/status/1704803570808201615 And discussion here. https://reddit.com/r/ukpolitics/s/xmCuoduJsu I would like to know if there's anywhere ...
1 vote
2 answers
289 views

Entry into Canada by car from the USA after my eTA application is denied

Because I have a previous history of being denied entry into the UK for inadequate paperwork, my eTA application is in serious danger. Even after my eTA application is denied, can I enter Canada by ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can a US citizen with US drivers license only, drive a Mexican plated car into Mexico?

I live in California. The car has valid Mexican plates. I am a US citizen and only have the US drivers license. Will I have a problem crossing it back into Mexico?
6 votes
2 answers
5k views

How to calculate the damage to a rental car?

Let's say you have damage to a rental car for which you are liable. Other scratches clearly show that earlier damage was never fixed. How do you calculate the reasonable damage the rental agency can ...
9 votes
3 answers
633 views

In Perth, Australia for one month: rent car or buy car?

I'm an Australian citizen with an Australian drivers license. But I haven't lived in Australia since 2003, so I need to ask: I'll be in Perth for one month. I'd like to have access to car the whole ...
4 votes
1 answer
300 views

Updating license plate on Trusted Traveler/Sentri

Our car is registered through Trusted Traveler to be used in the Sentri Lanes at the US southern border. We've just renewed registration and were issued new plates (with new plate number). I know I ...
1 vote
0 answers
91 views

Car insurance for borrowed car

My friend lives in the US and he has offered me the use of his car while he is away for a couple of months. I was already interested in the model of his vehicle so I’m thinking of accepting his offer. ...
1 vote
4 answers
6k views

Why are most roads and parking spaces in England narrower than in the rest of Europe?

I drove my car in almost every country in continental Europe. Recently, I experienced driving in England for the first time. But it doesnt matter where I went, from London to Rottingdean or Bath, ...
3 votes
1 answer
173 views

Leave Georgia (Sakartvelo) without motorcycle

I am an Estonian (EU) citizen entering Georgia (the country) by land with my own vehicle. I am granted entry for 1 year, but would like to leave my vehicle in Georgia and fly home within this time ...
4 votes
3 answers
224 views

Car Rental Insurance

We are U.S. expats visiting the U.S. for a few months. What is the most reasonable way to obtain car rental insurance other than buying the insurance through the car rental company?
2 votes
1 answer
151 views

Can I park a car with camping trailer attached somewhere at Curry Village while staying in a tent cabin?

I have a "tent cabin" reservation at Curry Village (near Yosemite National Park in the US). My trip involves a lot of other camping situations and I will be in a mini-SUV pulling a small ...
3 votes
1 answer
311 views

Canadians U.S. Roadtrips using parent’s car. What do we need to prepare?

Five of my friends and I are going on a New England roadtrip. We’re from New Brunswick, Canada and we’ll be using my mom’s 8-passenger SUV. I know that a notarized letter of permission will be helpful ...
4 votes
1 answer
387 views

Can you take a car-ferry from France to the UK with someone else's car?

I am looking to book a Brittany Ferries return service from St-Malo (France) to Portsmouth with a car, however it is not registered to my name. I do have the owner permission (I can have a signed ...
0 votes
2 answers
318 views

If I buy a used car in another country in the EU/Schengen and move to Germany, do I have to pay VAT again

I'm in another Schengen country waiting for a residence permit. I can buy a car - if I pay cash. I'm planning on buying used but don't want to pay taxes twice. In this country I can even buy it ...
24 votes
8 answers
98k views

How much do roof racks hurt gas mileage?

I'm going on a big national car trip, and I want to increase cargo space by getting a roof rack, but I'm wondering how much the additional drag will increase my gas bill. Is there any way to figure ...
-1 votes
1 answer
210 views

Am I safe to not fill up anymore gas even though the fuel indicator is right on "E"? [closed]

I was driving my rental Toyota Corolla on the freeway this evening, when the low fuel light turned on. According to a source, "after the gas light comes on, Muñoz says it’s safe to drive about 20 ...
14 votes
3 answers
2k views

If travelling through excessively cold regions, what steps should you take to keep your vehicle warm enough to drive?

Given the polar storm over the US at present, and temperatures hitting record lows, there's already reports of stranded motorists. I've once been in a situation where we needed to keep our engine ...
4 votes
1 answer
282 views

Enter Turkey for the second time on a different passport

I am currently in Turkey on a 90 day entry with Passport A. I am planning on leaving Turkey, but returning after the visa runs out to transit through the country further. Because I have dual ...
6 votes
1 answer
601 views

Driving through heavy rain - hazard lights on

Driving back to the Twin Cities (Minnesota, US), from a neighboring state, there was a severe rainstorm in process the entire time - near hurricane conditions. As in - there was low visibility due to ...
27 votes
4 answers
193k views

What is the difference between "Gazole" and "Diesel" in France?

I am driving a car with a Diesel engine. I always thought that "Gazole" and "Diesel" were synonymous to each other, only to drive in a gas station which mentioned both terms, as in "Gazole" and "...
3 votes
1 answer
925 views

Where can I park and get public transportation to SoFi stadium in Los Angeles?

Some friends and I are going to the Chargers game at SoFi Stadium . The parking is sold out and I've been trying to figure out a way to park somewhere nearby and ride public transportation to the ...
0 votes
1 answer
224 views

Where to park for a passenger drop-off at London Gatwick?

I have few family members who will be returning home and their flight will be from London Gatwick. After googling, I didn't find anything affordable with respect to parking. Following options popped ...
4 votes
1 answer
833 views

Country sticker necessary on car when visiting the UK?

I just read in the Guardian that GB stickers should be visible on cars when visiting the EU. Renew your passport earlier than planned, buy a GB sticker for your car, and prepare to wait four months ...
2 votes
1 answer
1k views

Is there free parking on Bodø, Norway?

Is there any free parking in Bodø City and around? I need to go to the city and most likely wait in or around town for several days for stuff to arrive. I wonder if there is free (short-term) parking ...
5 votes
2 answers
1k views

What kind of car can I drive in italy with an IDP with a less than year old license?

I am staying in Italy for the summer and I already got an international driving permit to drive. However, I got my license last November (less than a year ago) and I want to know if I can drive any ...
5 votes
3 answers
1k views

Registering a car in the EU as a non-resident citizen

I am considering a grand tour of the EU by road. This would be in a small electric car; I don't plan on creating lots of pollution as I go. Partly because the car would have a small range and also ...
11 votes
3 answers
1k views

Driving license in Australia

We will be in Australia for a few days and I was considering renting a car. Is a standard European license (we have Polish and Italian) good enough, or do we need "international driving license"? We ...
11 votes
5 answers
5k views

Gasoline beggars in and around Los Angeles — scam?

Last weekend, I was driving a car back to Los Angeles. I filled up in Victorville and topped up again near the LAX rental car return. On both occasions, a man approached me asking/begging to put ...
16 votes
6 answers
8k views

How shall I proceed if my car may contain illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia before entering Canada by car from the US?

Some individual broke into my car in the United States to steal my dashcam and a few quarters, and in the process, while searching my car for other valuable items, left some drug paraphernalia in the ...
10 votes
5 answers
7k views

Auto/Manual transmissions in Europe

I've noticed that Spanish people prefer manual transmissions, and automatics are harder to find there (opposite to USA). Is that the case in the rest of EU, or just a Spanish thing?
3 votes
2 answers
262 views

Joining a major road to A64 to Leeds from a small road

Please let me know how to approach and join this major road A64 to Leeds from York. My car is coming as the yellow line highlighted. There is no give way sign(there is only one broken line) in the ...
3 votes
3 answers
586 views

Vienna, Austria: Recommendations for affordable overnight parking?

I was searching for hotels in Vienna, Austria. I found a good value Hotel but the hotel does not offer any overnight parking. I tried to search over the internet for overnight parking but the ...
17 votes
1 answer
7k views

What are these half-size parking spaces in a supermarket lot?

Please let me know what this highlighted parking space is for
4 votes
1 answer
304 views

Taking two cars to Tijuana from San Diego

Can I take two cars from San Diego to Tijuana at the same time? Driving one and pulling the 2nd. Both are under my name, I have US and Mexican Nationality. Family reunion in TJ need 2 cars.
2 votes
0 answers
86 views

Owning a car in Japan and changing visa/departing for a long trip

what happens if you: posses a Japanese driving license posses a Japanese car posses a valid parking spot (車庫証明) switch from a working visa to a tourist visa and later go on a trip in Japan, thus ...
4 votes
2 answers
223 views

Is it advantageous to subscribe to multiple EV charging roaming providers?

Considering the many hundreds of operators of electric charging stations in Europe, it is good that roaming providers exist (as of 2022, most charging stations do not yet allow paying with a regular ...
11 votes
1 answer
4k views

Which country is this license plate from?

I’m in Romania for few days and today I noticed this license plate. It was on a black G wagon and what surprised me the most is that it had a face with bandana on it. Any clues?
1 vote
0 answers
3k views

How long does it take to add your car to SENTRI?

I’m flying to San Diego soon and will be renting a car there. I’d like to do a day trip to Tijuana and using my Global Entry in the SENTRI lanes would make the trip back much faster. How long does it ...
11 votes
1 answer
566 views

San Ysidro Border Parking Options?

Just got back from the San Ysidro border area and was dismayed to see that the going rate is now around $25/day for parking. It used to be closer to $5-$7 but I guess there was a re-routing of the I-5 ...
-3 votes
1 answer
257 views

What's the most expensive parking spot in the world? [closed]

Recently I've traveled to Salt Lake City and noticed that there was a "Premium Reserved Parking" section for $10/hour, which seemed like the highest hourly rate I've seen so far. Are there ...
9 votes
1 answer
229 views

Does my smartphone need NFC to pay at car charging stations in Germany and The Netherlands?

I am renting an electric car for a longer trip and figuring out how to pay for (fast) charging stations in Germany and The Netherlands. As of 2022, most charging stations do not yet allow paying for ...

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