Travel guide (Van Luxemburg)

AGAV

Van Luxemburg

Travel Information 2010-2011

practical travel info: country info - traffic info

- travel documents - local regulations

Royal Van Luxemburger Automobile Club

Van Luxemburg


Van Luxemburg, located in eastern Tarquinia, is a nation that is especially renowned for its automotive culture, but has much more to offer than just screaming engines and endless unlimited roads. Especially worth a visit are the capital, Luxembourg, with its centuries-old aristocratic architecture, or for example the coastal waters in the Dié Bay around Chateauneuf, with its beautiful coral reef, and the turqoise-coloured waters of the Marmorian Sea. Other areas of great natural beauty are the Lëtzebuerger Alpen, a mountain range dividing the regions of Weiningen and San Giustra, as well as the Perret mountain range, with its characteristic yellowish mountains. As Van Luxemburg has no true tourist centres, the best way to discover the nation is to travel by car or train.

Travel Documents

PersonsValid passport or valid Martigues member nation identity cardFor non-Martigues tourists: Valid visa for the borderless zone; inform at your local embassy or consulate.

Vehicles- Car or Motorbike National driving license and car registration papers. In case the vehicle is older than 3 years, proof of a valid motor vehicle inspection or similar statement. In case the vehicle and driver are from a non-Martigues nation, a theoretic regulations exam certificate is required; please inquire at your local consulate or embassy. Only driving licenses of individuals aged 18 or over are considered legal.Vehicles with license plates that provide no country code must be equipped with a clearly visible country code sticker. The absence of a front license plate is only allowed through an exempt given out by the Federal Traffic Service. This exempt is not accepted on foreign vehicles, thus front license plates for foreign vehicles are always required. Rear license plates are obligatory for any vehicle.

- Trailers and caravans (travel trailers)

All trailers must be equipped with repeater plates of the towing vehicle, or with trailer-specific registration plates.



Customs regulations

Van Luxemburg- InsuranceVehicle insurance is compulsory in Van Luxemburg. The same applies to trailers. The international Green Card for motoring insurance is recognised, and should be present for both vehicle and trailer (if applicable).

- Mopeds and scooters

A driving license is required to drive a scooter or moped. This can be a regular driving license or a specific driving license for individuals above 16 years of age. A driving license of a person aged above 16 years can be used to pilot a moped or scooter.

Van Luxemburg is part of the Martigues Agreement on borderless traffic. Therefore, customs regulations of the Martigues Agreement apply. Please contact your local consulate or embassy, and their customs officer specifically, if you intend to take specific goods on your journey.

Traffic regulationsGeneral

The maximal blood alcohol content allowed in traffic is 0.03%. For persons below 21 years of age, alcohol in traffic is absolutely prohibited.

Alcohol:

Overtaking generally occurs on the left and is very much enforced by law enforcement. Overtaking on the right is allowed when a traffic jam forms on the left lane of a motorway; precondition is that the traffic jam moves at 60 km/h maximum, and the overtaking vehicle 80 km/h at minimum. It is prohibited to overtake buses when they indicate to stop at a bus stop. When stopped at a bus stop, overtaking should be done with care. If the bus indicates to turn back onto the main road, it has the right of way; overtaking is prohibited. A sign with 'overtaking prohibited' or double continuous lines on the road do not apply when overtaking slow traffic (such as agricultural vehicles or mopeds). On motorways, it is allowed to signal an 'intention to overtake' to vehicles ahead by flashing the main beam lights; vehicles will move over to accomodate a faster vehicle as soon as they are able to. Flashing the main beams is however not allowed at night or under reduced sight. Furthermore, flashing the main beams must be done from a reasonable distance; being too close to a preceding vehicle may result in a hefty fine or even having a license impounded.

Overtaking:

Royal Van Luxemburger Automobile Club Royal Van Luxembu


Van Luxemburg It is prohibited to park within 15 metres of a bus or tram stop. It is also prohibited to park before a private exit or driveway. A driver who reaches a parking spot first, has the right to use it. When a parking meter is out of order, a parking disk is required and can be used to park for the maximum amount of time allowed according to local regulations.

Parking:

Traffic on a roundabout has the right of way, including bicyclists and mopeds if the bike lane is located directly next to the roundabout. Traffic leaving a roundabout must yield to traffic on these bike lanes. If a bike lane is separated from the roundabout, users of this lane no longer have the right of way. If drivers wish to take a left turn on a roundabout, they must indicate left when approaching the roundabout and when on the roundabout, before indicating right when subsequently leaving the roundabout at the correct exit. Otherwise, when leaving the roundabout, drivers should indicate right.

Roundabouts:

When two lanes converge, traffic should join the continuing lane following the 'zip-principal', one vehicle from each line at a time. This may only take place at the end of the non-continuous lane.

Multiple lanes:

Right of way: All drivers from the right have the right of way. Trams also have the right of way, regardless of their direction. They however also need to oblige to traffic lights. The instructions of law enforcement officers always supersede any right of way regulations. Furthermore, on narrow mountain roads, it is accepted that the vehicle that will have the least problems reversing or stopping should do so. On regular mountain roads, climbing traffic has the right of way over descending traffic, for example in hairpin turns.

On roads with two lanes per direction, vehicles on the left should keep as left as possible in their lane, while vehicles on the right keep as right as possible, to facilitate emergency services. If an emergency shoulder is present, this can also be used by emergency services and should therefore be kept vacant, unless an emergency situation requires a vehicle to halt on the shoulder.

Traffic jams:

Miscellaneous traffic regulations



Van Luxemburg In case of breakdowns on motorways, it is advisable to park the vehicle on the shoulder and phone for technical assistance. This can be done by using the roadside telephones to contact the AGAV's roadside assistance (free service only when member of AGAV or a recognised partner organisation), or by contacting any roadside assistance service provided by your automobile manufacturer or leasing company. Even though police services have limited capabilities in terms of repairing vehicles, it is not advisable to phone the nationwide emergency number. Rather, phone the local branch of the municipal police (Kommunalpolizei) or, especially on motorways, the local station of the motorway police (Autobahnpolizei). This should however only be done in case other roadside assistance services are not available.

Breakdowns:

The transport and use of radar detection equipment remains allowed, though jamming of radar or laser equipment is illegal. Navigation systems that warn for roadside speed cameras are allowed.

Radar detection:

Children under 12 years of age and/or are shorter than 150 cm should be carried in a booster seat. If ther eis no booster seat available, children older than 3 years of age may be seated on the rear seat, under the condition a seat belt is used. Children under 3 years of age may not be carried in a car unless proper equipment is used.

Children:

Motor vehicles

A Van Luxemburger vehicle is required to carry a fire extinguisher on board. There are no requirements to the size of the extinguisher.

Fire extinguisher:

Every motor vehicle should have a warning triangle on board. The use of a warning triangle is required on public roads for stationary or deserted cars, also during the day. On motorways, the triangle should be positioned 200 metres behind the car, on other roads, this is 100 metres. Hazard flashers should always be used.

Warning triangle:

Using a mobile phone during driving is only allowed when a handsfree car kit is used.

Mobile phone:

It is allowed to spend the night along the road (on parkings), if only for one night at the same place. Camping along a public road is prohibited. Local regulations can also prohibit spending the night.

Camping along the road:



Van LuxemburgDriving limits for trucks:

A high-visibility jacket should be on board of every motor vehicle, for every passenger. These should be worn in case the passengers leave the vehicle when it is parked in a dangerous position.

High-visibility jacket:

A Van Luxemburger vehicle is required to carry a first aid kit on board. It should meet international ISO standards.

First aid kit:

Every motor vehicle is required to use their low beam during day time, as daytime running lights. Fog lights may only be used under bad visibility, for example during heavy rain, fog or snow. Rear fog lights should be used when the visibility decreases to 50 metres or less. When a car is parked at night under low light conditions, it should be illuminated through parking lights on the road side of the vehicle. It is required to have a set of reserve bulbs on board.

Lighting:

Cars must be adapted to the weather conditions, meaning that winter tyres are required in winter conditions. 'Winter tyres' are defined as 'any type of tyre with more than 4mm's of tread'. Snow chains are compulsory when the blue round sign with snowchains is encountered in winter conditions.

Winter tyres:

It is allowed to attach a trailer to a motorbike.

Motorbikes

On Sundays and national holidays, it is prohibited for commercial vehicles (exceeding a GVW of 3500 kg) to drive, from 0.ooh till 22.00h. This is also prohibited on Saturdays during July and August to improve traffic flow in the holiday season.

It is allowed to tow other cars, but it is strictly prohibited to enter a motorway with a second vehicle on tow. Furthermore, when towing commences on a motorway, the combination should leave the road at the first possible opportunity. Towing is only allowed to reach the nearest filling station or car repair shop. Both the towing and the towed vehicle must use hazard lights and cannot exceed 80 km/h.

Towing:

Seatbelts (if present) are required for all passengers.

Seatbelts:

Trailer:



Van LuxemburgHelmets:

A helmet is compulsory for both driver and passenger.

It is allowed to carry 1 passenger, provided the motorbike has a passenger seat and is equipped with foot supports for the passenger.

Passengers:

Lighting: Low beam or daylight running lights are compulsory also during the day.

Towing: It is not allowed to tow a motorbike.

Bicycles

Van Luxemburg is remarkably bike-friendly. Specially-made bike lanes are often separated from main roads, to increase safety, and the bicyclist has a special position in traffic law that protects it in motor vehicle vs bicycle collisions; unless the actions by the bicyclist are proven to be wrong, the driver of the motor vehicle will be at fault. Bicyclists must use bike lanes whenever provided, signed by a bike on a round blue sign. A helmet is not required, and a bike trailer may be used. Like with motor vehicles, it is prohibited to use a mobile phone, unless done with a handsfree kit. It is not allowed to travel with more than two bicyclists next to eachother.

Handling of traffic offenses

For small offenses, law enforcement officers will often issue a warning, which can be a verbal warning or a small fine of up to ƒ35. This amount should be paid on the spot or within a week at a local police station in case the offender has a valid excuse for not being able to pay the fine. Foreigners need to pay on the spot, or will be escorted to an ATM machine. No further prosecution will occur after a warning fine. An actual fine will be imposed for larger offenses, such as running a red light or overtaking on the right. The minimal amount for such a fine is ƒ40, and can increase to amounts far beyond ƒ1000, depending on the nature of the offense and the severity of the case. Law enforcement officers are also able to impound a driving license on the spot, for a period of up to three months. A prosecutor will automatically evaluate the case if a driving license is impounded or if a fine of over ƒ500 is imposed. The prosecutor is also able to impound a driving license for an indefinite amount of time, or even require the offender to retake his driving education.



Van Luxemburg

For very serious traffic offenses, including hit-and-run accidents, but also for example weaving through traffic, law enforcement officers can also impound a vehicle. This can also be done by a prosecutor. The period the car is impounded can vary, ranging from several hours or days to an indefinite period, thus transferring ownership to the law enforcement agency in question. If you decide to fight a certain warning or fine, you are required to let the prosecutor know of this fact via a letter or via telephone within two weeks after the fine has been issued. The case will subsequently be taken to court if the arguments in your defense are valid.

For foreigners, all fines are to be paid on the spot. If the amount cannot be paid at once, law enforcement officers will escort you to the nearest ATM. Should your case need to appear before court or needs to be reviewed by the prosecutor, the law enforcement officer will require you to pay a guarantee, matching the expected cost of the fine. In extreme cases, your vehicle will be impounded. Law enforcement officers will also require you to name a proxy person, who can handle court affairs in Van Luxemburg. In this case, it is wise to contact your embassy or consulate, your local motoring association or your attorney for advice.

Van Luxemburger police is highly esteemed when it comes to professionality and fairness. Corruption is punished heavily, and is almost non-existant. Foreigners will find that the police force is friendly in general, and will generally issue only a warning or a lower fine when approached respectfully. However, when being attacked, either verbally or physically, Van Luxemburger law enforcement generally has no problems with responding in force. Nevertheless, the police will also be very eager to help in case of any problems, and usually speak English and various other languages.

Route- and traffic information

On the website of the Royal Van Luxemburger Automobile Club, www.agav.vl, it is possible to see actual traffic information and relevant information. Also, the Federal Motorway Inspection, www.fai.vl, posts planned roadworks on motorways regularly.



Van Luxemburg

As Van Luxemburg is an island, most traffic has a destination within Van Luxemburg. However, during the summer months (July-August, mainly), the major north-south routes are very congested with holiday traffic. Tourists, both domestic and foreign, make sure that especially week-ends in these two months are very busy. It is recommended to travel outside these weekends whenever possible.

Additional information

Traffic intensity

Peak days All Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in July and August are very busy. Minor spikes of traffic are to be expected at the end of December and the beginning of January (Christmas holidays), as well as the second week of October (Autumn holiday) and the first week of May (Spring holiday). Van Luxemburger schools are also off on Christian holidays and national holidays, most notably April 13th. Most traffic will be travelling in Southern direction in July, while this holiday traffic will be travelling back home in August.

Alternative routes

Alternative routes for motorways are often signed by square blue signs with a D-number along the motorway. When exiting the motorway and following these numbers, they will often take you to the next motorway/entrance exit, in order to evade possible traffic jams or road closures.

When in a traffic jam

Remember to turn on your hazard flashers when encountering a sudden reduction of speed. This will make sure cars behind you can also start slowing down on time. The hazards can be turned off after a car has joined the line behind your vehicle. Always remember to keep on the lookout for motorbikes that are allowed to move between the lanes; this to avoid accidents. Furthermore, continually check your environment, as emergency services may need to pass. Should you have any questions, motorcyclists of the AGAV will be standing by on parkings in areas prone to traffic jams, in order to answer questions regarding alternative routes, proper behaviour in traffic jams, as well as the length of these traffic jams.


Van Luxemburg

The AGAV provides traffic information via tel. 0800-90909090. Information is provided in English, Vun Lëtzebuergesch, German, French, Italian and Dutch. The traffic-infoline of the AGAV (only Vun Lëtzebuergesch) can be reached on tel. 1418, which is also the main number of the AGAV nationwide. Another possibility is the joint info service of the FAI and the police (Vun Lëtzebuergesch), on tel. 7818, or the RTVLI traffic service (English, Vun Lëtzebuergesch) on tel. 9120

Traffic information

Telephone

Radio

The usual traffic information providers also have websites, such as www.agav.vl, www.fai.vl, or www.rtvl.vl. These sites also have an English section.

Most radio stations provide traffic info every hour, after the news. However, this is often only regional traffic information, and only RTVL stations broadcast a summarized national traffic information bulletin every hour. See www.rtvl.vl for frequencies. www.vlradio.vl is also useful when looking for commercial stations (only in Vun Lëtzebuergesch).

Internet


Fuel in Van Luxemburg

English Local name Actual price (Jan. 2010)

95 RON petrol Euro RON 95 ƒ1.4198 RON petrol Super RON 98 ƒ1.54100+ RON petrol Super Plus RON 100 ƒ1.60Diesel Diesel ƒ1.00LPG (Autogas) LPG ƒ0.51Bio-Ethanol E85 ƒ1.54 Fuel quantities are always measured in litres. All Van Luxemburger fuel is without lead, lead replacements can often be bought from the filling station stores. Diesel and Autogas are easy to come by, and are offered at nearly every fuel station. E85 can be obtained at most large filling stations, especially on motorways. Other fuels, such as hydrogen, are hard to come by and only several filling stations offer these fuels. Van Luxemburg makes use of the bayonet filler for Autogas, if your car is equipped with a different filler, it is possible to obtain a adaptor at any filling station offering Autogas.


Van Luxemburg


Most filling stations on the motorways and main roads are opened day and night. Most filling stations are self-service, and payment often takes place via bank card or credit card (cash money is also accepted). There are more than sufficient filling stations in Van Luxemburg, even though most are open from 8h-22h. Some of these stations allow refueling outside of opening hours through an automatic payment machine which only accepts bank and credit cards.

Full name

Miscellaneous information

Grand Duchy of Van LuxemburgGroussherogtum Vun Lëtzebuerg

Measures in

Metric system

Drives on the

Right

Emergency number

112

Electricity

Voltage: 230 VPlug type: F

Money

Van Luxemburg uses the Florin (ƒ)ƒ1 = $1,4124 (Jan. 2010)Creditcards: Accepted at virtuallyany business. ATM availability: Sufficient

Roadside Assistance

Can be reached via emergencytelephones along the road. Twobuttons are usually provided: Onefor emergency services and one for roadside assistance. The AGAV provides roadside assistance for freeto any member or foreigner who is amember of a foreign partner organisation. Calls are possible via 0800-90909090.

Phoning

GSM Coverage: GoodCalling code: +859

TV-standard

PAL