Your final information for driving in Europe

When you’re seeking to discover Europe by automobile, whether or not you’re driving in France or heading to sunny Spain, there are lots of issues you’ll want to know earlier than you set off.

There might be a variety of completely different driving legal guidelines to driving round Europe, that’s why we’ve put collectively a helpful information to clarify every little thing you’ll want to find out about happening a four-wheeled journey to our European neighbours.

Paperwork wanted for driving in Europe

Apart from your full driving licence, there are a variety of different paperwork that you’ll want to take with you when driving in Europe. These embrace:

• Proof of auto’s insurance coverage
• Proof of ID, reminiscent of a passport
• V5 registration doc
• Journey insurance coverage paperwork
• European breakdown cowl coverage paperwork 
• Crit’air sticker if driving in France
• International driving permit (for the required international locations)

These will must be carried with you once you drive, simply in case you might be pulled over by police.

What tools do I want in a European driving package?

When driving in Europe, you will want the next objects on account of sure legal guidelines in sure international locations. 

International Well being Insurance coverage Card (GHIC)

Motorists driving in Europe might want to pack a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaces the previous European Well being Insurance coverage Card (EHIC).

A GHIC presents related safety for travellers as that afforded by the EHIC when a UK resident is within the EU on a brief keep, for enterprise or pleasure. 

Your GHIC doesn’t cowl you in Liechtenstein or Switzerland, which is value taking into consideration in case you delve additional into Europe. 

GHICs might be obtained through the NHS website and are freed from cost. Travellers are suggested to use at the very least two weeks earlier than their journey.

This shouldn’t be seen as a substitute for normal journey insurance coverage, which you need to take out for cover in case of emergency sickness or damage.

Automobile insurance coverage

When driving in Europe, it’s at all times finest to double-check your car insurance covers you while you might be overseas, as it’s possible you’ll not have a coverage that permits abroad journey. 

In case your automobile insurance coverage doesn’t shield you when driving overseas, you will want to get European cover.

European breakdown cowl 

Our breakdown cover is out there from £99 a 12 months and offers you with 90 days’ breakdown cowl whereas driving in Europe, in anybody calendar 12 months. We are able to organize roadside restoration or a dependable house restore service, whether or not your automobile or van breaks down within the UK or Europe. 

Examine your satnav

It’s unlawful in a number of EU countries to make use of satnavs or different digital tools that alerts you to hurry enforcement cameras. If yours offers such alerts, it’s really helpful you turn them off earlier than you enter Europe.  

Reflective jackets

You might be fined for strolling on a street or on a tough shoulder if you’re not carrying a reflective jacket, must you breakdown. Subsequently, you need to take into account taking reflective jackets for your self and any passengers together with you once you journey.

Warning triangle

A warning triangle is at all times a great factor to hold in your automobile, like reflective jackets, they’re obligatory to have for foreign-registered automobiles in sure international locations.

Headlamp beam deflectors

Deflector stickers are wanted to stop dazzling oncoming drivers. You should buy deflector stickers from most automobile retailers and, extra expensively, at ferry ports and the Eurostar terminal. You might also be capable of alter the beam manually.

UK sticker

In case your automobile is registered within the UK, you will want a UK sticker in your automobile. This was a GB sticker, however has since modified in September 2021, partly on account of Brexit. 

That is so native regulation enforcement can establish the place the automobile has come from.

While it’s not obligatory to have one in each European nation, it’s a good suggestion to be ready and have one, because it helps clearly establish your automobile’s nation of registration.

First help package

It’s obligatory to have a primary help package when driving in France, Germany and Austria. It’s at all times a good suggestion to have certainly one of these in your automobile, even when driving within the UK.

Different really helpful objects to take with you when driving in Europe

• Solar cream
• Water
• A blanket
• A spare gas can
• Alternative bulbs 
• Windscreen wash
• A hearth extinguisher
• A torch

What can’t I take when driving in European international locations?

While completely different international locations can have completely different guidelines so that you can examine, it’s usually thought-about that you shouldn’t take any merchandise that include any meat, dairy or milk

You’re additionally not allowed to import vegetation, greens, most contemporary fruit and sure medicines. 

When you require this stuff for medical causes, then exceptions could also be granted, however you will want to contact the embassy earlier than you allow to your journey.

You also needs to examine the HM Income & Customs Journey web site for data on duty-free allowances and any banned items and so on. 

What to do in an emergency in Europe when driving

Emergency telephones are linked to an SOS line, just like the UK, and are put in each two kilometres alongside the motorways.   

You can too dial 112 from anyplace in Europe and an operator will join you to an emergency service within the nation you’re visiting. Operators can reply your name in English. 

What guidelines do I must know when driving in France?

For many Brits, France would be the first nation you drive via, irrespective of the place you might be heading in your European journey. That’s why we’ve put collectively an inventory of key issues you’ll want to know concerning the driving guidelines in our neighbours’ yard. 

Utilizing a horn

Horns can solely be used whether it is completely vital, reminiscent of to warn different drivers of hazard. Between sundown and dawn, warnings should be given via flashing your lights, however once more, if wants be a horn can be utilized as a final resort. 

Seatbelts and automobile seats

Similar to within the UK, seatbelts should be utilized by everybody within the automobile. 

When you have a passenger who’s below 18, it’s the driver’s duty to make sure they’re carrying one. Failing to take action will end in a €135 advantageous, decreased to €90 if paid inside 15 days.

Youngsters below the age of 10 should journey in an authorized baby seat or restraint fitted to their age and measurement. They’re additionally not allowed to journey within the entrance seat of a automobile with out utilizing a restraint, except there is no such thing as a rear seat, the rear seat is already occupied with youngsters below 10, or there are not any seat belts. 

Site visitors mild system

France makes use of the three-coloured site visitors mild system we use within the UK, however there are a couple of delicate adjustments, reminiscent of; 

• There’s no amber mild after pink
• A flashing pink mild signifies no entry, an exit is being utilized by emergency autos or signifies a degree crossing 

• A flashing amber mild signifies warning, decelerate or proceed, however give approach to autos coming from the best
• If a pink mild is accompanied by a yellow arrow, you’ll be able to proceed within the course indicated by the arrow, offered you give approach to autos and pedestrians travelling in that course

Parking

Parking is barely completely different in France, with drivers solely with the ability to park on the right-hand aspect of a street if it has two lanes. You could choose to park on both aspect if it’s a one-way avenue, like within the UK.

Road indicators will sign what the native guidelines are, how lengthy you might be permitted to park there for and if non-permit holders can park within the streets. Yellow traces will point out if leaving your automobile is prohibited or not. 

Suggestions for driving in Europe

Keep in mind to drive on the best

Most European international locations drive on the right-hand aspect of the street, the exact opposite to how we drive within the UK. This could take additional time to grow to be accustomed to, so take your time when on the roads and stay additional vigilant. 

This additionally signifies that overtaking is the alternative to the UK. You’ll overtake on motorways to the lane on the left, not the best, of the automobile you might be driving previous. 

The exceptions are the Republic of Eire, Cyprus and Malta.

Plan your route earlier than you allow

Planning your route earlier than going in your European journey is at all times higher than simply winging it on the day. As talked about beforehand, some international locations ban the usage of tools with radar detection, mentioning the place pace cameras are situated, so it’s finest to know the place you might be heading upfront. 

Be sure you take free change in your automobile

Many European international locations, reminiscent of Portugal particularly, have toll roads that may solely be accessed utilizing money. Within the UK, we’re used to utilizing infrastructure with our credit score/debit playing cards, however lots of these roads can solely be paid for with tender. 

With that stated, don’t go away cash seen when parking your automobile, as it’s possible you’ll appeal to thieves. 

Take a break when drained

Driving is tiring at the perfect of occasions, however if you’re driving abroad in unfamiliar areas, concentrating on driving on the right-hand aspect of the street and studying completely different street indicators, it may be much more exhausting.

Make sure you take frequent breaks and cease in a protected place for a relaxation if you’re feeling drained.

Inform your insurer if one thing occurs 

In case you are unlucky sufficient to be concerned in an accident, contact your insurer instantly and name the police.

Get hold of the opposite driver’s full particulars, along with the names and speak to particulars of any witnesses.

Keep in mind to take images of the harm to your automobile.

Refuel earlier than you come house

Petrol and diesel are loads cheaper on the continent than within the UK, so when you’re driving house, it’s finest to cease off in France earlier than getting the ferry again and refuelling to save lots of your self some cash.

Roundabouts are anti-clockwise

In addition to driving on the alternative aspect of the street, additionally, you will must method roundabouts otherwise. Fairly than approaching clockwise, you can be driving anti-clockwise.  

Watch out for tunnels

Tunnels in Europe are surprisingly lengthy, loads longer than within the UK, and subsequently might be unsettling to even probably the most skilled of drivers.

The longest in Norway is round 15 miles lengthy, whereas the longest within the UK, the Queensway in Liverpool, is simply over two miles in size. As you enter a tunnel, keep in mind sun shades off, lights on. Maintain your distance and look out for telephones and emergency exits.

Insurance coverage you’ll be able to belief

Regardless of the place you drive in Europe, you will want car insurance that protects you when driving overseas. 

At Adrian Flux, we’ve fashioned relationships with insurers over a long time to make sure you get the perfect worth deal to your particular person wants, irrespective of which household hatchback you go for.

Name us on 0800 369 8590 or book a callback at a time that fits you.
Our breakdown cover is out there from £99 a 12 months and offers you with 90 days’ breakdown cowl whereas driving in Europe, in anybody calendar 12 months, providing roadside restoration or a dependable house restore service, whether or not your automobile or van breaks down within the UK or Europe.  

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