Foreign road signs are causing British drivers headaches and yet many still don't do any research before setting off for the Continent.

Research collected by Confused.com shows that 30% of people who have driven abroad claim to have had their trip ruined by getting lost, with 17% unable to decipher bizarre road signs.

There seems to be little respite in technology either, with one in ten sat-navs having let Brits abroad down, failing to plan an accurate route through the road network.

However, 38% of drivers heading abroad don't check the motoring laws for their destination country. Half of drivers don't know that it's illegal to use a hands-free mobile phone kit in Spain, and a similar number were oblivious to Swedish legislation requiring anti-freeze and a shovel to be carried at all times.

Gareth Kloet, Head of Car Insurance at Confused.com, says: "As the holiday season approaches, we're going to see more Brits heading to the Continent. While driving is often the most convenient means of travel, it's important for motorists to take the time to understand the foreign laws.

"Accidents can easily happen in an unfamiliar environment, so reading up and making sure you're completely covered for the country you're driving in is just as important as getting the right currency."

To help drivers stay on the right side of the law (and hopefully the road as well), Confused.com has created a worldwide driving guide that shows any additional paperwork drivers might need when straying to foreign countries. It's surprising where a driving licence alone isn't enough...

Find it at www.confused.com/news-views/infographics/a-driver-in-foreign-lands