Guide to driving abroad - Telegraph France's compulsory breathalyser law doesn't come into force until July 1 and you shouldn't actually get hit with the £9 fine for not having one if stopped until November. However, Rosie Sanderson, specialist adviser on European motoring for the AA, revealed: "We've heard whispers that French police are already trying to enforce this." But fines for minor indiscretions can be the least of your financial worries when driving abroad. Not having the right European breakdown cover can cost thousands of pounds if a crippled car needs repatriating. Ms Sanderson said: "The most common problems are engine-related. And frequently they're problems that could be avoided if people maintained their vehicles properly before going away. Drivers should also make sure they are carrying the right kit in their cars and know the rules of the countries they are travelling to, starting with this handy guide. Our nearest neighbour is also one of the strictest when it comes to driving abroad. Drivers must now have at least one unused breathalyser (it's wise to carry a spare in case you have to use one) displaying the French NF certification mark in the car. To bring them into line with other Continental countries such as Germany and Italy, France has now banned speed-camera warning devices, as well as installing 400 more fixed cameras and taking down the signs alerting drivers to them. It's not just dedicated speed-camera detectors that are banned, either. If your satnav alerts you to speed cameras, you must disable that function. Motorway speed limit: 130kph (110kph in the wet). Drink-drive limit: 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Other kit: warning triangle, reflective jackets, breathalyser. The Spanish might have a reputation for being laid back, but that doesn't apply to driving in their country. Indicating on motorways both before and after overtaking moves is enforced and there are on-the-spot fines if you don't do it. Motorway speed limit: 120kph. Drink-drive limit: 50mg/100ml. Other kit: two warning triangles, replacement light bulbs, reflective jackets, spare spectacles if you need glasses for driving. Be careful when driving in town centres, particularly when they are ancient, because it is easy to stray into a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL). Traffic in these is either fully prohibited or limited to residents with permits and the AA says it is the most common law British tourists unwittingly break. And although it might be hard to believe, given the Italians' reputation for being horn happy, sounding off is actually banned in built-up areas. Motorway speed limit: 130kph (110kph in the wet and for dual carriageways). Other kit: warning triangle, replacement light bulbs, reflective jackets. Mention the German Autobahn and most people think of motorways with no speed limit. Actually, only about a fifth of the Autobahn network is limit-free. The rest has speed limits that are strictly enforced by the police. In the unlikely event that you want to wash your car while on holiday in Germany, don't do it on a public road. It's against the law. Motorway speed limit: No motorway speed limit unless shown, where it's usually 130kph. Other kit: warning triangle. Think of America as being rather like Europe when it comes to driving rules. The difference is that while Europe has different laws for different countries, US laws vary by the state. As you are unlikely to be taking your own car there, the main things to watch out for are speed limits, which are also different if a motorway is deemed rural or urban. The other thing to be mindful of is straying into the "wrong" parts of cities, where carjackers are infamous for targeting hire cars. Motorway speed limit: California 65mph; Florida 70mph; Arizona 75mph. Drink-drive limit: 80mg/100ml, although in some states you can be fined for having 50mg/100ml. Also: Stay in lane on the motorway: undertaking isn't illegal.