What to Do If You Are Stopped in Another Country
Stopping in America is already nerve-wracking, but when it happens somewhere far from home, it can be even scarier. Laws are different, customs are different, and you may have to pay a fine on the spot. Here’s what you need to know before driving outside of the US.
Learn about driving customs and laws before you hit the road
This should be obvious, but if it is not, you absolutely need to research the driving information in the country you are visiting. You need to know the basic laws and customs of the region, as well as know what items should be on hand or in your car while driving. Some countries require you to have a spare wheel, reflective vest and traffic cone in your vehicle. Others require you to have an extra pair of prescription glasses if you need them for driving. The moment they see that you are a tourist, there is a high probability that they will look for any way to kill you, so be prepared.
If you’re unsure where to look, start at the US Department of State website and find your country. Or search the web with these terms:
“The US Embassy and Consulates in [the country you are visiting]”
You should see a URL like “ https://fr.usembassy.gov ” (this is the one for France) in your top-most. Go there and find the Services for US Citizens tab. On this tab, find the link “Additional Resources for US Citizens”. Then scroll down and find the “Driving in [country]” section or link. This should give you all the vital information you need to know, or at least point out where to get it.
Stay in the car and open the window
If you get stopped, try to find a spot on the side of the road and stay in the car as you do here. In some countries, such as Australia, New Zealand and the UK, drivers are allowed to get out of the car and approach police officers, but this is not common in most places. Most cops around the world prefer that you stay in the car and wait for instructions, so do that. Better safe than sorry.
When they get close, open the window and keep your hands on the steering wheel. If something is wrong, ask them to show their icon. In some countries, there have been cases where fake ” police” detained people and demanded bribes . A real officer will happily show you his credentials.
Prepare documents
You must have several documents that you can easily access in case you are stopped or pass through a police checkpoint. You must have:
- A valid US driver’s license.
- International Driving Permit (IDP), if required in that country.
- Vehicle registration document.
- Proof of auto insurance .
- Passport and visa.
- All the necessary documents are provided to you by the rental company (if you rented a car).
If you are not sure if you need an IDP, check the laws of the country you are visiting. They are required in most non-English speaking countries. You can get them through AAA.
Use anything to help you translate
If you do not know the language, let them know that it will be difficult for you to understand their instructions. It is helpful to know simple phrases in the local language, such as “I don’t speak [the language]” or “I don’t understand”. It would be helpful to keep a pocket phrasebook or card with some of the essentials tucked away along with your other driver’s documents. You will be able to access it easily and without suspicion.
Yes, you could opt out of the Google Translate app, but using your smartphone isn’t the best option. They may think that you are trying to record them, activate something, or that your phone is turned off while driving – which is often even more illegal elsewhere than here.
Get ready to pay now
In addition to driving documents, you should have cold cash on hand. Why? Two reasons: prepayment of fines and bribes to avoid trouble. First, many who travel abroad are surprised when a police officer issues a ticket and then immediately demands payment. But it happens!
If you pay during the violation, they will give you a receipt and you will hit the road. If you don’t, they may alert your car rental company (which will charge you later); or worse, get a license or IDP until you come to the pay station. It is best to have some money in your travel budget specifically for this purpose. Just pay in advance and be done with it. Be sure to check out how tickets and fines work in the country you are visiting before leaving.
However, some “penalties” are not quite what they seem. If you are in an area that is known for its corruption problems – Mexico, Russia, part of Africa, part of Southeast Asia – any fines you are asked to pay might just be asking for a bribe. Again, trying to avoid getting paid will likely make things worse . Give them cash and hit the road. They rarely ask for much , so don’t give them any reason to bother you further. The best thing you can do is pay and then report to the nearest US consulate what happened. They cannot reimburse you for the costs, but they can contact the local authorities, or at least warn other travelers. Always check your travel advice before you hit the road so you know what you might run into.
The world is huge and driving habits are completely different in every country. If you have any good advice for people who drive in certain parts of the world, let us know in the comments below!