Automated cars, low emissions and noise pollution: Europe’s driving rules are changing in 2025

06.01.2025 - 04:23 / euronews.com / Rebecca Ann Hughes

Despite the open borders of the Schengen Zone, driving around Europe can be a challenge thanks to the myriad national road rules to get your head around.

If you’re planning a road trip on the continent in 2025, make sure you are up to date with the latest changes to regulations.

From the introduction of 30 more low-emission zones in French cities to a crackdown on noise pollution in Switzerland, here are the new rules you need to be aware of.

Up until now, it’s been relatively easy for travellers driving abroad to avoid the consequences of committing motoring offences in foreign Schengen Zone countries.

This year, however, the bloc is cracking down on cross-border penalties, meaning drivers who break the law while abroad could see their licence revoked back home.

Offences include driving under the influence, breaking the speed limit in urban and rural areas, and causing an accident resulting in severe injuries or death.

Switzerland is cracking down on noisy vehicles this year. The government has introduced fines of up to 10,000 CHF (€10,600) for ‘avoidable noises’ such as exhaust systems backfiring.

Sanctions for existing restrictions to prevent noise pollution are increasing. Drivers who leave their engine running ‘unnecessarily’ now face an 80 CHF (€85) fine, up from 60 CHF (€64) last year.

Also in Switzerland, from 1 March 2025, drivers of automated cars are permitted to use the autopilot function in some cantons.

When the system is activated, drivers can remove their hands from the steering wheel and do not have to be monitoring traffic or the vehicle.

However, they must be ready to retake the wheel if prompted by the autopilot system.

It will also be possible to park automated vehicles without the presence of a driver in designated car parks and parking spaces.

In France, 30 more towns have been designated low emissions zones, or ZFEs (Zones à Faibles Émissions). These include Lille, Avignon, Biarritz and Bordeaux.

They join 12 existing ZFEs (including Lyon, Greater Paris and Nice), four of which have brought in stricter regulations.

If you drive in these areas, you need a Crit'Air sticker, which indicates your vehicle's pollution level on a scale of 0 (electric vehicles) to 5 (older diesel vehicles).

All vehicles must have this sticker displayed, whether they are registered in France or abroad.

If you are planning a trip to France, make sure you obtain your sticker in advance here.

Drivers who do not have a sticker on their vehicle when in an ZFE face a fine of €68 for a light-weight vehicle, or a fine of €135 for a heavy goods vehicle.

Vehicles registered before 31 December 1996, light commercial vehicles registered before 30 September 1997, and heavy goods vehicles registered before 30 September