Norway and Singapore are often cited for strict car laws, with Norway leading in road rules and fines (low BAC, speed limits, mandatory lights/belts) and Singapore having notoriously tough regulations on vehicle ownership, modifications, and usage. Other countries like Switzerland (licensing), France (phone use), and some South American nations (zero-tolerance DUI) also rank high in specific areas.
Norway is the strictest country for driving fines, with an overall score of 6.43 out of 10. Fines for speeding on the motorway are as much as €711, drink driving will set you back €5,783, while fines for running a red light are a minimum of €756.
A recent study says Norway has the strictest road rules in the world, followed by France, Colombia, Denmark, Mexico, New Zealand, and Australia. Wearing seatbelts is mandatory in most countries but some, including Colomia and Brazil, do not enforce the law.
Australia has strict vehicle modification laws, especially when it comes to imported cars like JDM vehicles. The goal is to maintain road safety, reduce environmental impact, and keep vehicles structurally sound. Ignoring these laws can result in hefty fines, de-registration, or even car impoundment.
Saudi Arabia has strict social rules related to gender segregation, dress codes, and religious practices (though many have relaxed in recent years). Of the 55 countries I have experienced, Singapore has the most stringent rules.
As it has been since 2019, Switzerland was the freest country in the world, followed by New Zealand (2nd), Denmark (3rd), Luxembourg (4th), Ireland (5th), Finland (6th), Australia, Iceland and Sweden (tied at 7th), and Estonia. Canada was in 11th place and the United States and United Kingdom were tied at 17th.
Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have highly transparent and well-functioning legal systems that emphasize equality and justice. Germany is recognized for its strong constitutional protections and a well-organized judiciary, while the United Kingdom has a long-standing common law system that influences many other countries.
42—Starting a U-turn at an intersection
(b) in any other case—from the left of the centre of the road.
“According to road rule 77, all vehicles in a built-up area, in the left lane or left line of traffic, or in a bicycle lane are required to give way to a bus entering traffic from the far left side of traffic that is displaying a 'Give Way to Buses' sign and their right indicator is displayed,” a spokesperson from the ...
Australia's "25-Year Rule" allows importing classic and collectible vehicles (cars, motorcycles, light commercials) older than 25 years, under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) laws, by obtaining a Concessional RAV (Register of Approved Vehicles) approval to avoid strict compliance with modern Australian Design Rules (ADRs). This "rolling" rule means the vehicle must be at least 25 years old at the time of application, simplifying imports for enthusiasts but still requiring compliance with ADRs relevant to its original build year, plus some modifications for safety like VINs or child restraints.
Australian Road Rule 67 dictates the requirements for drivers at intersections with a stop sign or stop line but no traffic lights, mandating a complete stop before the line or intersection and requiring drivers to give way to any vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, or personal mobility device riders entering the intersection or crossing the road the driver is entering. The core of Rule 67 is to stop completely and yield to all other road users before proceeding, preventing crashes and chaos on main roads where side-road traffic must stop.
While reports vary slightly, Brisbane is frequently cited as Australia's most congested city by time lost in traffic, often ranking high globally (around 10th) for peak hour delays, with commuters losing dozens of hours annually, though some sources place Melbourne and Sydney as having higher costs or variability. Melbourne and Sydney consistently rank second and third for congestion within Australia.
No, driving 10 km/h under the speed limit isn't inherently illegal, but it can become an offense if it unreasonably obstructs traffic, meaning you're causing congestion or disrupting the flow, especially if you're in the wrong lane or on a fast road without good reason. There's no set minimum speed, but police can fine you under laws like Australia's Rule 125 for impeding other drivers, making the legality dependent on road conditions and your actions.
Yes — but only in specific conditions. On some unrestricted sections of the German Autobahn, you can legally drive 200 mph (approximately 322 km/h) if your car is capable and the area has no posted speed limit. These stretches are usually outside urban zones, on straight, well-maintained highways with multiple lanes.
In fact, Norway has exceedingly high fines in all areas, with speeding drivers being charged €711 on country roads and highways alike (putting it first for these factors again), as well as the second highest fines for running a red light (€756) – just behind Estonia's €800.
The Basics of Texas Speed Laws
Texas has a maximum established speed limit of 70 miles per hour, according to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). TxDOT allows local city and state governments to adjust the speed limit up to 85 mph in areas where highway design supports higher speeds.
Australian Road Rule 20 (ARR 20) is a foundational rule stating that a driver must not drive at a speed exceeding the applicable speed limit for the length of road they are on, with subsequent rules defining what those limits are (e.g., signs, school zones, shared zones) and specifying that drivers must obey them. It sets the general principle of adhering to posted speed limits or default limits where none are indicated, emphasizing that exceeding them is illegal and subject to penalties like fines and demerit points, with severe cases leading to license suspension or vehicle impoundment.
In Australia, the general rule is simple: only use your car's horn when it's necessary to warn others of your vehicle's presence or for safety-related purposes. Beeping your horn to express frustration or for non-essential reasons can lead to fines, and in some cases, serious penalties.
New Zealand's driving laws are very similar to Australia's: give way to your right and keep left unless overtaking. There's no hook turn, though, like there is in Victoria. New Zealanders tend to tailgate aggressively, particularly if you are driving under the speed limit.
The 4-second rule
If the vehicle behind you is following too closely you should: increase your following distance to 4 seconds from the vehicle in front of you.
The golden rule
You approach the roundabout from the 6 o'clock position, entering the roundabout by turning left so that you go around in a clockwise direction, while at the same time, giving way to traffic coming from your right, who are already on the roundabout.
According to NSW Road Rule 2014:218, you must always have at least one hand on the wheel. Taking both off, even momentarily, can count as not having proper control.
More corrupt
Of the 180 countries ranked in the 2024 CPI, published in February 2025, the top scorers included Denmark (90), Finland (88), and Singapore (84), while those perceived as the most corrupt included South Sudan (8), Somalia (9), and Venezuela (10).
Countries like Singapore are known for strict social laws and high enforcement, and China for government control.