Camper traffic rules: Avoid these mistakes when traveling

Are there special rules for campers and do you need a special driving license to drive a motor home? We have summarized the most important information about the road traffic regulations (StVO), the list of fines and speed limits for campers.

Table of contents

1. RV & camper traffic rules in Germany
2. RV & camper traffic rules in Austria
3. RV & camper traffic rules in Italy
4. RV & camper traffic rules in France
5. RV & camper traffic rules in Sweden
6. RV & camper traffic rules in Croatia

1. Motorhome & camper traffic rules in Germany

What do vacationers have to consider when driving? How are RVs and campers defined in the StVO and is it obligatory to wear seat belts in the camper in Germany? We at FreewayCamper have listed all these things for you here.

Is there a speed limit for campers and RVs?

The maximum speed for a camper or RV depends on the total weight of the vehicle (up to or over 3.5 t). However, for safety reasons, the 120 km/h mark should not be exceeded in approved sections. For campers over 3.5 t the maximum speed of 100 km/h applies. All information about speed limits in town, out of town and on the freeways as well as the catalog of fines and the consequences of exceeding the speed limit with a motorhome can be read here.

Which driver's license do I need for a RV or camper?

A special driver's license is not necessary for a camper or RV. Nevertheless, the weight of the vehicle remains a decisive factor. Because whether a camper weighs under or over 3,5 t decides on it, which driver's license is necessary. Camper with a weight to 3.5 t are considered as normal passenger cars and can be driven with each driver's license of the class B or BE. If the driving license was taken before 1999, class 3 was acquired, and these persons are allowed to drive vehicles up to 7.5 t. If the EU driving license was issued after 1999, the classes C or C1 (or CE or C1E) must have been made in order to be allowed to drive a motor home up to 7.5 t. In our article with the topic campervan driving license, you get more detailed information.

No worries: At FreewayCamper almost all campers and RVs are under the 3.5 t mark and can therefore be driven by all camper lovers with a class B or BE driving license. The only exception is the RV Alcove 750, for which you need a class C driver's license.

Do I always have to buckle up in the camper or RV?

In a camper or RV, a buckle obligation applies according to the StVO. All passengers must be buckled up in the vehicle or secured by an appropriate restraint system or a child seat. A camper is not exempt from the seatbelt obligation!

Am I allowed to walk in the camper or RV during the trip?

No, walking around in the camper or RV while driving is not allowed. All passengers must be seated with their seatbelts fastened in the seats provided for the trip. It is not allowed to stay in the back of the camper or RV during the drive.

Where is a camper or RV permitted to park?

Finding a suitable parking space for your camper is not as easy as with a small car. Nevertheless, the camper or motor home may be parked anywhere where it is not expressly forbidden. So, if a parking place is indicated by a traffic sign for cars only, you are not allowed to park your camper there either. If the parking space is too small for your home on four wheels, you are also not allowed to park there. Parking on the sidewalk is also only allowed if your vehicle weighs less than 2.8 tons. So please always pay attention to the total weight of your camper.

Unfortunately, these rules only apply in Germany. If you are planning a trip abroad, you should familiarize yourself with the local regulations.

Special traffic rules for campers over 3.5 t

All vehicles with a weight over 3.5 t are already considered trucks. Therefore, the speed limits of trucks on the roads and freeways must be observed for these RVs. RVs with a weight from 3.5 t to 7.5 t may drive on highways and freeways at a maximum speed of 100 km/h. A speed limit of 80 km/h applies outside of towns. Campers weighing more than 7.5 t may not exceed a maximum speed of 60 km/h on country roads. On highways and motorways, a maximum speed of 80 km/h is allowed. The weight of your camper is also important when parking. You can find the current list of fines and the road traffic regulations here.

2. RV and camper traffic regulations in Austria

Since Austria is a very popular country for camping, we have summarized the most important rules on the road with a camper here:

Maximum speed for cars and campers up to 3.5 t (Austria)

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 100 km/h
• Highways: 100 km/h
• Freeways: 130 km/h (at night, from 22 to 5 o'clock on transit freeways: 110 km/h)

Speed limit in Austria for campers and RVs over 3.5 t to 7.5 t

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 70 km/h
• Highways: 70 km/h
• Freeways: 80 km/h

Parking of campers and RVs (Austria)

• Continuous yellow line at the roadside: no stopping and no parking
• Dotted lines: No parking, hold and loading allowed
• Lines on the ground have no validity if they are covered with snow (Attention during thawing weather!)
• Blue ground markings: (chargeable) short parking zone

Dimensions of the vehicles (Austria)

• Maximum width 2.55 meters
• Maximum length 12 meters
• All our campers are located in this area and are therefore permitted in Austria

Toll on highways and freeways (Austria)

• Vehicles up to 3.5 tons (zGg) use vignettes
• Vehicles over 3.5 tons (zGg) will be billed via the GO-Box
• Some sections of the route are already exempt from tolls. You can find all information here.

Safety vest in every camper (Austria)

• Carrying safety vests in Austria is mandatory
• A warning triangle and a first aid kit must be in the camper

Other regulations in Austria

• Obligation to wear seat belts
• No smoking in the vehicle
• Tear rope/safety rope for caravans (both braked and unbraked)

Good to know (Austria)

• Currently no red/white warning sign for the bicycle carrier
• Driving with lights on all day
• Special traffic signs

3. RV and camper traffic rules in Italy

Italy is also a popular camping destination. Here you will find all the important rules that you need to follow with a RV and camper in Italy:

Maximum speed for cars and campers up to 3.5 t (Italy)

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 90 km/h
• Highways: 110 km/h
• (Exception: wet + driving license possession under 3 years - 90 km/h)
• Freeways: 130 km/h
• (Exception: wet conditions + possession of driver's license under 3 years - 110 km/h; Appropriate signage on three-lane highways in each direction - 150 km/h)

Speed limit in Italy for campers and RVs over 3.5 t to 7.5 t

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 80 km/h
• Highways: 80 km/h
• Freeways: 100 km/h

Parking of campers and RVs (Italy)

• White lines: Free parking
• Yellow lines: Parking with permit only (applies to bus, residents, cabs)
• Black-yellow lines: Absolute parking ban
• Blue lines: Paid parking
• Green lines: Temporary parking ban

Dimensions of the vehicles (Italy)

• Maximum width 2.55 meters
• Maximum length 12 meters
• All our campers are located in this area and are therefore allowed in Italy

Toll on highways and freeways (Italy)

• Highways in Italy are toll-free
• There is no vignette for the toll in Italy
• Tolls are due at every toll station
• Tolls are best paid in cash - credit card payment not always possible

Safety vest in every camper (Italy)

• Carrying safety vests in Italy is mandatory
• A warning triangle must also be in the camper
• First aid kit does not have to be mandatory in the camper

Other regulations in Italy

• Compulsory wearing of seat belts
• No smoking in the vehicle if there are pregnant women or minors in it
• Breathalyzer limit 0.5 - Breathalyzer limit for novice drivers 0.0 (driving license possession under 3 years)

Good to know (Italy)

• Penalties for traffic offenses are often higher in Italy than in Germany
• Traffic lights in Italy switch directly from green to red - there is one less traffic light phase

4. RV and camper traffic rules in France

The following rules should be followed when you set out on your trip to France:

Maximum speed for cars and campers up to 3.5 t (France)

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 80 km/h
• Highways: 110 km/h (rain + poor visibility 100 km/h)
• Freeways: 130 km/h (bad weather conditions 110 km/h)

Speed limit in France for campers and RVs over 3.5 t to 7.5 t

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town 80 km/h
• Highways 110 km/h (rain + poor visibility 100 km/h)
• Freeways 110 km/h

Parking of campers and RVs (France)

• White lines: Paid parking
• Yellow lines: Absolute no parking
• Blue lines: Free or paid parking (follow signs)

Dimensions of the vehicles (France)

• Maximum width 2.55 meters
• Maximum length 12 meters
• All our campers are located in this area and are therefore allowed in France

Toll on the highways and freeways (France)

• There is no vignette for the toll in France
• Fees are due at each toll station
• In some cities in France there is a city toll, here you need a paid environmental badge

Safety vest in every camper (France)

• At least one safety vest must be carried in France
• Also a warning triangle and first aid kit must be in the camper

Other regulations in France

• Compulsory wearing of seat belts
• No smoking in the vehicle if there are children under 18 years of age in it
• Promille limit 0.5

Good to know (France)

• Traffic lights in France switch directly from green to red - there is one less traffic light phase
• Trams have right of way in France

5. RV and camper traffic rules in Sweden

These rules apply to RVs and campers in Sweden:

Maximum speed for cars and campers up to 3.5 t (Sweden)

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 70 km/h
• Highways: 110 km/h
• Freeways: 110 km/h

Speed limit in Sweden for campers and RVs over 3.5 t to 7.5 t

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 70 km/h
• Highways: 110 km/h
• Freeways: 110 km/h

Parking of campers and RVs (Sweden)

• P-sign without further additional sign as signage: Free parking
• P-sign with additional sign "AVGIFT": Paid parking
• Continuous or dashed yellow line: No stopping
• Parking against the direction of travel prohibited

Dimensions of the vehicles (Sweden)

• Maximum width 2.55 meters
• Maximum length 24 meters
• All our campers are located in this area and are therefore allowed in Sweden

Toll on the highways and freeways (Sweden)

• In Sweden you do not have to pay tolls for highways
• However, there are city tolls in some areas (Gothenburg; Stockholm)
• At certain bridges you also pay toll
• License plates are captured by camera and toll is delivered by mail via invoice

Safety vest in every camper (Sweden)

• No obligation to wear safety vests in Sweden, but recommended
• Warning triangle and a first aid kit must be in the camper

Other regulations in Sweden

• Compulsory wearing of seat belts
• Promille limit 0.5
• In Sweden must be driven all day with dipped headlights
• In winter, antifreeze + snow shovel must be in the vehicle

Good to know (Sweden)

• Strict alcohol regulations - penalties can be very high
• Fines in Sweden are generally very high

6. RV and camper traffic rules in Croatia

We tell you which traffic rules you have to follow with your camper in Croatia:

Maximum speed for cars and campers up to 3.5 t (Croatia)

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 90 km/h (drivers younger than 25: 80 km/h)
• Highways: 110 km/h (drivers younger than 25: 100 km/h)
• Freeways: 130 km/h (drivers younger than 25: 120 km/h)

Speed limit in Croatia for campers and RVs over 3.5 t to 7.5 t

• In town: 50 km/h
• Out of town: 80 km/h
• Highways: 80 km/h
• Freeways: 90 km/h

Parking of campers and RVs (Croatia)

• Red parking zones: Maximum 1 hour parking
• Yellow parking zones: Maximum 2 hours parking
• Green or blue parking zones: Maximum 3 hours parking

Dimensions of the vehicles (Croatia)

• Maximum width 2.55 meters
• Maximum length 18.75 meters
• All our campers are located in this area and are therefore allowed in Croatia

Toll on the highways and freeways (Croatia)

• Freeways in Croatia are mostly subject to tolls
• There is no vignette for the toll in Croatia
• Fees are due at each toll station

Safety vest in every camper (Croatia)

• There must be at least one safety vest in the camper
• In case of breakdown or accident, a high-visibility vest must be worn by each occupant leaving the camper
• Warning triangle and spare set of bulbs must be in the camper
• First aid kit is only recommended

Other regulations in Croatia

• Compulsory wearing of seat belts
• Promille limit 0.5
• With vehicles over 3.5 tons there is an absolute ban on alcohol

Good to know (Croatia)

• In Croatia there is no general winter tire obligation, but snow chains must be on board as soon as the road is covered with ice or snow
• Carrying filled gasoline cans as a reserve is prohibited in vehicles

Basically, you have to find out exactly which rules apply in which country before your vacation. If you follow these rules, nothing will stand in the way of your dream vacation with a camper.

Have a safe trip!

Your FreewayCamper Team