Think the UK's driving regulations are strict? Wait until you hear what motorists face in other countries. From mandatory breathalysers to rules about your car's cleanliness, global motoring laws range from sensible to utterly bizarre. Here are eight that'll make you appreciate British roads - quirks and all.

1. France: Carry Your Own Breathalyser (Sort Of)

French law technically requires all drivers to carry a certified breathalyser in their vehicle. The idea was to encourage self-testing before driving after drinking. However, in a wonderfully French twist, while the law exists, the penalty for not carrying one was never actually implemented. So you're legally required to have one, but there's no fine if you don't. Magnifique.

The breathalyser law joins other French requirements including carrying a hi-vis jacket, warning triangle, and spare bulbs. Miss any of these and you could face actual fines, unlike the breathalyser situation. Planning a drive through France? Pack everything except perhaps common sense about their enforcement priorities.

2. Japan: Splash a Pedestrian, Pay the Price

We've all experienced it - a car racing through a puddle, drenching innocent pedestrians. In the UK, this is annoying but rarely punished. In Japan, it's a specific offence that can result in fines equivalent to around £50.

Japanese driving culture emphasises consideration for others to a degree that might seem excessive to British drivers. The puddle law reflects broader expectations about driving carefully near pedestrians in all conditions. Many British pedestrians would probably support importing this particular regulation.

3. Cyprus: No Eating or Drinking - At All

Enjoying a coffee on your morning commute? Not in Cyprus you're not. The Mediterranean island bans eating or drinking anything while driving - including water. The logic is that any distraction, however minor, compromises safety.

Given Cyprus has some of Europe's highest road casualty rates, perhaps the strict approach is understandable. But for British drivers accustomed to drive-through coffees and motorway service station snacks, it requires significant adjustment. That sausage roll will have to wait.

4. Russia: Keep Your Car Clean (Or Else)

Russia technically has laws requiring vehicles to be kept clean, with fines possible for excessively dirty cars. The regulation particularly targets obscured number plates but extends to general vehicle cleanliness. Given Russian weather conditions, this seems optimistic at best.

Enforcement is reportedly inconsistent, but the law exists and can be applied. Some Russian drivers report being stopped for dirty cars when authorities were really looking for other reasons to issue fines. In the UK, we're free to drive cars caked in months of motorway grime without legal consequence - a freedom we perhaps don't appreciate enough.

5. Germany: Running Out of Fuel on the Autobahn

The famous German autobahn has no speed limits on many sections, but it does have strict rules about stopping. Running out of fuel on the autobahn is actually illegal - it's considered preventable and therefore your fault for poor planning.

The fine isn't massive, but the embarrassment of explaining to German police that you simply forgot to fill up might be punishment enough. German efficiency extends to expecting drivers to monitor their fuel gauges properly. Those regular service stations every few kilometres aren't just suggestions.

6. Thailand: Shirtless Driving Forbidden

Despite tropical temperatures, Thai law prohibits driving without a shirt. Both men and women must wear tops while operating vehicles, with fines for those caught driving bare-chested. The law apparently relates to public decency standards rather than safety concerns.

For British tourists renting scooters on Thai islands, this comes as a surprise. After years of seeing holidaymakers riding around shirtless, authorities periodically crack down. The sensible advice: pack a light shirt even when heading to the beach.

7. South Africa: Give Way to Animals - By Law

While most countries expect drivers to avoid hitting animals through common sense, South Africa makes it a specific legal requirement. Drivers must stop and give way to any animals crossing the road, with failure to do so potentially resulting in prosecution.

Given South African roads can feature everything from livestock to wildlife including elephants, this law makes practical sense. The UK equivalent - stopping for sheep in rural Wales or Scotland - isn't actually a legal requirement, though it's certainly advisable for both humanitarian and vehicle damage reasons.

8. Manila: Driving Bans Based on Number Plates

The Philippine capital Manila operates a 'coding' system that bans vehicles from roads on specific days based on their number plate endings. If your plate ends in 1 or 2, you can't drive on Mondays. 3 or 4 means Tuesdays off the road, and so on.

The system aims to reduce Manila's legendary traffic congestion, though wealthy residents simply bought second cars with different plate endings, somewhat defeating the purpose. London's ULEZ charges seem straightforward by comparison - at least you can pay to drive rather than being banned outright.

Appreciating British Roads

For all our complaints about potholes, speed cameras, and parking charges, British motoring regulations are relatively sensible. We can eat sandwiches while driving, let our cars get dirty, and wear whatever we like behind the wheel. Sometimes it takes a global perspective to appreciate what we have.