Driving abroad
If you're taking your car abroad, here are a few things to check and be aware of.
Have a great trip.
- Consider taking out European breakdown cover.
- Do a thorough check on the country you are travelling to. Visit www.drivingabroad.co.uk.
- Plan your route before you leave. Use our route planner or contact the country's tourist office to get maps, guides and other tourist information. If you have a portable sat-nav, see if you can download a map of the country you'll be visiting.
- Do a thorough check on your car and make sure you have a rear GB sticker and headlight beam deflectors. Britannia Rescue members can call us to get a free GB sticker.
- Get a warning triangle, a complete set of bulbs, first aid kit (especially in Greece) and a fire extinguisher. This should comply with most European countries' laws.
- If you wear glasses when driving, make sure you have a spare set with you.
- Check your passports are current and your driving licence is valid for Europe.
- Tell your insurance company when you're going abroad and find out what to do if you have an accident.
- Allow plenty of time to get to the port or tunnel on the day you leave.
- Be extra careful at roundabouts and junctions as everything will be the opposite of what you're used to in the UK.
- Obey the rules of the road, eg in Spain if you park in the 'zona de grua' you will be towed away.
- If you break down on the autoroute in France you must use the SOS boxes to call for help. It's illegal to call with your mobile phone.
- Watch out for amber filter signs at town traffic lights which let you turn right (with care) on a red light.
- Never carry a full spare petrol can in your car as it's illegal in some European countries like Greece.
