This F1 driver is banned from his own car 鈥 but these driving laws are even stranger
April 10, 2025 by Siobhan Doyle
If you think it鈥檚 strange that an F1 driver can be banned from driving his own car, think again. Here are some of the world鈥檚 weirdest driving laws for you to gawk at.
Formula One rookie and Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has picked up the keys to his brand-new Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S, gifted to him by the luxury carmaker. But here鈥檚 the catch 鈥 .
Now you鈥檙e probably thinking, how can someone who races at over 200mph every other weekend not be allowed to drive his own road car? Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, who only passed his driving test in January, strict Italian laws prohibit new drivers from operating vehicles with more than 75kW per tonne (around 100hp) during their first three years of holding a licence.
However, the Mercedes, which has around 238kW per tonne (319hp), sits just a bit above that limit 鈥 meaning poor Antonelli will have to wait a while before he can take it for a spin. In the meantime, he can legally only drive a small city car such as a Fiat 500, or a compact hatchback such as a Peugeot 208, on public roads in Italy.
If you think the news about the Mercedes F1 driver is strange, just wait 鈥 that鈥檚 actually pretty tame. We鈥檝e rounded up nine of the most peculiar driving laws from around the world, so you can ponder what might have happened to inspire them in the first place.
You can drive naked in Germany
If you like feeling the breeze on your bare skin, then head to Germany. In some places, the car is considered a 鈥減rivate space,鈥 so you can legally drive naked. But when you step out, make sure to cover up, because nudity isn鈥檛 allowed in public spaces. A bit of a tricky road trip dress code, right?
Check for people underneath the car in Denmark
Before they hit the road, the Danes have to do a quick check underneath their cars for any sleepyheads or little adventurers who might be hiding out. It might sound odd, but it鈥檚 actually a safety thing 鈥 many kids in Denmark play or hide under cars in urban areas, so better safe than sorry!
No driving on Mondays in the Philippines if your plate ends in 1 or 2
It鈥檚 always fun in the Philippines 鈥 until your number plate ends in 1 or 2, and suddenly your car鈥檚 grounded for a supermarket run. In Manila, you can鈥檛 drive on Mondays if your plate ends in either of those numbers. Why? There鈥檚 a number coding system to limit the number of cars on the road to help reduce pollution and congestion.
Camels always have the right of way in the UAE
In the United Arab Emirates, camels are an important part of the culture and heritage. These hoofed animals have the ultimate right of way, meaning drivers must stop and let them cross, even if it holds up traffic. With special laws in place to protect them, any mishap involving a camel could land you with a fine. So, if you鈥檙e in the region, be patient 鈥 those camels aren鈥檛 in any rush.
Don鈥檛 shoot any wild animals from your car in Tennessee
From one animal law to another, we take you across the Atlantic to Tennessee. In this state, drivers aren鈥檛 allowed to shoot at an animal from their car 鈥 unless it鈥檚 a whale. That鈥檚 quite the feat, considering Tennessee is landlocked with no sea in sight.
No washing cars on a Sunday in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Sundays are a day of rest, and manual car washing is banned, including the use of power washers. If you need to clean a rental car, head to a car wash or plan to do it on another day.
Alaska鈥檚 quirky canine rule: no dogs allowed on the roof
The origins of this law are unclear, but in Alaska, it鈥檚 illegal to leash dogs to the roof of a car. We can鈥檛 help but wonder 鈥 why would anyone want to do that in the first place?
You must carry a fire extinguisher at all times in Bulgaria
In Bulgaria, being prepared is the name of the game. Along with your trusty first aid kit and warning triangle, it鈥檚 a legal requirement to pack a fire extinguisher in your car. You never know what might happen.
There鈥檚 a blindfold ban in Alabama
It sounds like a no-brainer, but in Alabama, driving blindfolded is officially against the law. Why anyone would even consider trying it is a mystery 鈥 but just in case, the law鈥檚 there to make sure they think twice (or maybe even three times).
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