Where drivers face the strictest rules: Norway, France and 15 more countries

Fines abroad often arrive because of a rule you didn't know about. In one country, a phone in your hand is enough; in another, a glass of wine at dinner will do it. Renting a car starts with documents and ends with figuring out local limits.

Compare the Market research compared 17 countries across six criteria: blood alcohol limit, speed limits, phone use while driving, seat belts, and two other indicators (full report, as of 09/2026). Norway turned out to be the strictest with 7.09 out of 10, and South Africa the most lenient with 3.13 out of 10. The gap between the top and bottom of the list is more than double.

Below is the order of countries from the strictest rules to the most lenient, and what it means for your trip.

How the rating was calculated

💡 In short:

• The score is based on six indicators, including alcohol, speed, phone use while driving, and seat belts.
• The higher the final score, the more strictly a country restricts drivers.
• Rule data: as of 09/2026, according to the Compare the Market report.

Compare the Market assigned scores from 0 to 10 and compared countries against each other. A higher score means stricter: they factor in blood alcohol limit, speed limits, phone bans, and seat belt requirements (methodology and table, as of 09/2026). The list includes 17 countries, from Norway at the top to South Africa at the bottom. What matters to you is not the score itself, but the difference in rules: a maneuver you're used to can cost you a fine abroad.

Rating: 17 countries from strictest to most lenient

The order below follows the ranking from the study: countries with the strictest rules at the top, the most lenient at the bottom (full list of countries, as of 09/2026).

• Norway
• France
• Colombia
• Denmark
• Mexico
• New Zealand
• Australia
• Germany
• Canada
• Italy
• United Kingdom
• Brazil
• Hungary
• Spain
• Chile
• USA
• South Africa

Below you'll find a breakdown of the extreme positions: the report gives exact scores for these.

1. Norway: 0.2 promille and low speed limits

Norway scored 7.09 out of 10 and topped the list (Compare the Market ranking, as of 09/2026). The main reason isn't fines, but the alcohol threshold: 0.02 BAC, which is about 0.2 promille. That level is close to zero, so people here only get behind the wheel sober. Speed limits are also modest: 50 km/h in cities and 80 km/h outside cities. Seat belts are mandatory for everyone in the vehicle.

• What to do in advance: avoid alcohol before driving, even a single glass.
• Who it's for: drivers planning a self-drive route through the country.

2. France: phone use banned even with a headset

France took second place with 5.94 out of 10 (research page, as of 09/2026). It has the strictest mobile phone rules: you can't use one even in speakerphone mode. The alcohol threshold is higher than Norway's at 0.05 BAC, which is about 0.5 promille, and the city speed limit is 50 km/h. The gap from Norway is small, but on phone use France is the strictest on the list. Keep your phone in the glove compartment.

• What to do in advance: plan your route at home and save calls for stops.
• Not for: people who are used to talking on the phone while driving.

3-4. Colombia and Denmark: tied for third place

Colombia and Denmark tied for third place, both with 5.84 out of 10 (country table, as of 09/2026). Colombia caps highway speeds at 100 km/h and keeps the alcohol threshold at 0.02 BAC, which is about 0.2 promille. Seat belts are mandatory, but in practice they aren't strictly enforced. In Denmark, speakerphone use is only allowed through a system built into the car. Phone mounts that let you talk hands-free are not permitted.

• What to do in advance: in Denmark, save calls for a stop, even if the mount is attached to the windshield.
• Who it's for: drivers comparing countries before booking a car.

17. South Africa: the most lenient toward drivers

South Africa closes out the list with 3.13 out of 10 (research data, 09/2026). The leniency comes from high speed limits on highways, urban roads, and rural roads. At the same time, the country's alcohol threshold is low, and that's the only strict item in the local rules. For a car rental, that setup means more freedom on speed, but fewer reasons to relax in the city.

• What to do in advance: stick to the limits you're used to, despite the low score.
• Not for: people expecting European-level strictness on speed.

What this means for car rentals

The rules apply to you in the country where you rent the car, not where you got your license. A fine can arrive even after you return the car to the rental agency. From our travel experience, three habits cover most risks on unfamiliar roads.

• Check the alcohol threshold and speed limits before leaving the airport.
• Keep your phone away from the wheel for the entire route.
• Familiarize yourself with local signs: the numbers on roads differ from what you're used to.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

Which country has the strictest traffic rules?

Norway topped the list with 7.09 out of 10 (Compare the Market data, 09/2026). The reason is the 0.02 BAC alcohol threshold, which is about 0.2 promille, and low speed limits: 50 km/h in cities and 80 km/h outside cities.

Where are the rules most lenient for drivers?

South Africa closes the list with 3.13 out of 10 (original ranking, as of: 09/2026). High speed limits lowered the index, even though the alcohol threshold there is low.

What did the study evaluate?

The score is made up of several indicators: blood alcohol limit, speed limits, phone use while driving, and seat belt requirements. These form the final strictness index, which is how the countries were ranked.

Can you use a phone while driving in Europe?

Not in France: phones are banned even in speakerphone mode, and that is one reason for its second place on the list. In Denmark, speakerphone use is allowed only through the car's built-in system, and phone holders are not allowed at all. In practice, it is easier to simply not pick up the phone for the entire route.

Do these rules apply to a rental car?

Yes. A rental car does not give you any leniency: you follow the rules of the country you are driving in. A fine can arrive either on the spot or after you return the car. Before booking, check the alcohol limit and speed limits for your specific country, not for the country that issued your license.

In short: what is worth booking

Booking a car abroad should start with the country's rules, not the price.

• If you are going to Norway: plan for a completely sober trip.
• If you are going to France: keep your phone out of your hands.
• If your route passes through Colombia or Denmark: check the rules for speakerphone use.
• If you are going to South Africa: follow the limits you are used to, despite the lenient index.

See the full ranking of 17 countries with scores on the study page.