Confirm with local clues

Key takeaway

Use flags as the first clue, then verify with plates, language, or roadside infrastructure.

Flags are strongest when they agree with infrastructure. After you identify a flag family, look for two fast confirmations before placing the pin.

Confirmation clues

Plates: France and Italy can both show blue strips on both sides of plates, but Italian front plates are notably short. Belgium plates show red text through the blur. Dutch plates are yellow.
Language: French street signs often use "rue"; Italian streets often use "via"; Danish streets often end in "vej"; Albanian streets often show "rruga".
Roadside clues: French bollards are often round white posts with a pointed top and a band; Italian and Albanian bollards are triangular with a black top; Polish bollards have a red band that wraps around.
Driving side: Ireland and the UK drive left, while most mainland European tricolour countries drive right.

The practical routine is: flag layout, colour order, then one plate/language/roadside confirmation. If one of those disagrees, keep looking.