| Lots of people like to drive themselves around when | | | | It’s essential you have insurance that will cover you |
| visiting Europe and if coming from the UK it is quite | | | | for every situation, so give your insurance company a |
| easy these days to get there in a matter of hours. If | | | | call before you travel to check you have adequate |
| you are considering taking your car abroad then | | | | cover as well as breakdown recovery, and if they will |
| ensure you are prepared. Look online at the FCO | | | | cover any medical expenses resulting from an |
| website, it offers lots of travel advice by country, | | | | accident. Standard UK insurance normally only |
| you’ll also need to check what insurance and | | | | provides third-party cover outside the UK, so if you |
| breakdown cover is required. | | | | want fully comprehensive cover you’ll need to |
| Europe can be a great place to explore by car, | | | | obtain the extra. Your insurer should provide you, free, |
| especially if you are heading to the countryside. Rolling | | | | with a European accident statement form to be filled in |
| hills, quiet roads, beautiful scenery, and you get to stop | | | | if there should be an accident. |
| whenever and wherever you want. The road | | | | It’s a good idea to get your car serviced before |
| infrastructure is good in European countries and traffic | | | | you go as if something goes wrong in a country |
| isn’t a problem at most times of the year, apart | | | | where they may not speak good English it could be |
| from the cities of course. If you have to drive in the | | | | very frustrating and stressful. |
| city it can be quite stressful, particularly if you are not | | | | There are a few important items that you should carry |
| sure of the road system and don’t know the areas. | | | | with you in case of an emergency, a spare set of car |
| Try to avoid certain holiday seasons such as | | | | keys may well come in handy, if you lose yours then |
| Christmas if you are nervous and new to driving on | | | | you could end up paying a lot just to get a |
| the opposite side of the road. | | | | replacement. Some other items that may be useful |
| The FCO provides information on the driving laws of | | | | include a first aid kit, a tool kit, spare bulbs for the car |
| the country you plan to visit, including local speed limits, | | | | and a warning triangle. In some countries, Spain for |
| what you have to do to comply with the vehicle | | | | instance, you are required to carry 2 warning triangles |
| requirements of the country you are visiting, and | | | | which is why it is so important you check each |
| whether you need an International Driving Permit. If you | | | | countries individual requirements. A reflective vest is |
| are required to get one then you only need your | | | | also compulsory in France, Italy, Belgium and Spain, |
| current driving license to apply and you can get it within | | | | sometimes one per passenger. |
| 24 hours in the UK by applying online. | | | | Driving your own car you need to have a GB sticker |
| Not every country requires you to have an | | | | clearly visible on the back of your car. You'll also need |
| international driver’s license; however it is an | | | | headlamp converters if you're driving on the right hand |
| internationally recognised document and can facilitate | | | | side of the road to avoid dazzling other drivers. In |
| contact with the authorities in the event of an accident | | | | Europe they drive on the right, which means that if |
| or traffic violation. It doesn’t replace your | | | | your car is a right-hand drive, you have to adjust the |
| driver’s license however, and when travelling you | | | | direction of your headlamp beams for driving on the |
| will need to show both. | | | | right, either by using the converters or adjusting the |
| Always carry your travelling documents with you | | | | lights. This is particularly important if you drive at night |
| when driving abroad, this includes your passport, driving | | | | as UK headlights dip to the left, which means that they |
| license, car registration papers, breakdown policy and | | | | dip into the view of oncoming traffic. Headlamp |
| insurance documents. Emergency helpline numbers | | | | converters can be purchased online. |
| should also be easily accessible if needed. | | | | |