A cultural travel guide to the world

Etiquette & taboos

Etiquette & taboos

Take five minutes to read this before you go. We sort local rules into three levels: red lines that are illegal or can get you refused entry, taboos that are legal but easily offend locals, and good manners that show respect. Every rule has a source and is marked as verified or not.

Red lineIllegal, or can get you refused entry · 85 rulesTabooNot illegal, but easily offends locals · 23 rulesGood mannersRespect local ways and earn a smile · 5 rules

Red lineDrivingFinland

Finland: drink-driving can mean prison

  • If you drink, don't drive
  • Drink-driving (Finland's limit is much stricter than the UK's)

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Finland and can mean prison; emergency and rescue resources are limited in remote areas of the Arctic Circle.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Finland travel advice

Red lineDrivingIceland

Iceland: headlights on all year when driving

  • Keep dipped headlights on all year, fit suitable tyres in winter and keep to the speed limit
  • Drink-driving (Iceland's limit is stricter than the UK's)

Breaking traffic rules brings heavy fines.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Iceland travel advice

Red lineDrivingVietnam

Vietnam: helmets are compulsory on motorbikes

  • Riders and passengers must both wear helmets
  • Riding or being a passenger without a helmet
  • Drink-driving

Riding without a helmet is illegal; drink-driving can bring a fine or even prison, and after an accident you may be barred from leaving the country.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Vietnam travel advice

Red lineDrivingSweden

Sweden: winter tyres are compulsory in winter

  • From 1 December to 31 March, make sure your hire car has winter tyres
  • Driving on ordinary tyres in winter

It is a legal requirement.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Sweden travel advice

Red lineDrivingNorway

Norway: very strict drink-driving limits

  • If you have drunk alcohol, don't drive
  • Judging by your home country's standards that you are still fit to drive

The drink-driving limit is about a quarter of England's, and can mean a fine or even prison; on-the-spot fines for other traffic offences reach NOK 10,000.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Norway travel advice

Red lineDrivingAustria

Austria: buy a vignette before using the motorway

  • Stick the motorway vignette on the inside of the windscreen
  • Driving on motorways and expressways without a vignette

You will be fined.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Austria travel advice

Red lineDrivingItaly

Italy: don't drive into historic-centre limited traffic zones (ZTL)

  • Park outside restricted zones and walk into town
  • Driving into a ZTL zone without a permit

You will be fined.

Verified Oct 19, 2026Source: GOV.UK: Italy travel advice

Red lineDrivingUnited States

Driving in the US: what to do when police pull you over

  • Signal right and pull over safely to the right
  • Roll down your window after stopping, before the officer reaches you
  • At night, turn on the interior light
  • Keep both hands on the wheel and ask passengers to keep their hands visible too
  • Getting out and walking towards the police car
  • Suddenly reaching for the glovebox, a pocket or under the seat

Sudden movements may be read as a threat and become dangerous. The wording of the rules varies slightly between states.

Not yet verifiedSource: Texas Department of Public Safety driver handbook