Brits who hit roads this summer and prepare to explore Europe have been warned that lesser known driving laws in some countries could face eye-opening fines of up to £21,000. Dashcams have become a popular safety tool across the UK as they document the entire journey of drivers, providing important evidence of incidents and collisions when necessary.
According to data, a quarter of the 32.7 million drivers in the UK have installed devices in their vehicles. However, installing devices while overseas in Europe can backfire some countries that view cameras as a major violation of privacy. In fact, road users have found that installing one could result in a five-digit bill.
MotorPoint expert Tim Rodie has identified three countries where road users may be at risk the most.
“When driving in Portugal, Luxembourg and Austria, they are not permitted to operate a dashcam as they are considered an invasion of privacy and are subject to heavy fines,” Rody explained.
“Dashcams are popular among UK drivers because they can save thousands of pounds of insurance claims. But for repeated Austrian criminals, it can curb the eye-opening fine of 25,000 euros (£21,300).”
Meanwhile, RAC motor experts have previously warned that dash cams will be “completely banned” in some parts of Europe.
They urged road users to take precautions and conduct research before they set out.
“Repeated criminals in Austria are facing eye-opening five-figure fines,” they warned.
“The message therefore is to ensure that we comply with laws relating to the use of dash cams in the country we are driving.”
The stunning Portuguese country, which welcomed almost 2.5 million British people in 2024, is said to have the “stiffest” rules in Europe when it comes to dashcams.
According to Skoda, the car manufacturer, you are not even allowed to own a device. “If police find a dash cam in your car, glove compartment, or boot seat, you can expect police to struggle with you.”
