A Drivers Guide to European Motoring

Travelling overseas can be very entertaining, especially if you are going to be driving a vehicle. You will be able to explore more of the countries, insinuate yourself in the culture, and have a freedom those without a car lack. Many roads in Europe are considered the best and you will not want to miss them. Nevertheless, before taking your car with you there are some laws and safety considerations to make.

When planning to drive through Europe you will need to make sure you take the correct paperwork with you, this will include a valid full UK driver’s licence, insurance certificate, vehicle registration document and if the vehicle is more than 3 years old, the MOT certificate.

It is important to check with your motor insurance company that you are covered when driving abroad. Most policies will allow you a certain number of days of European motoring as standard, although you should check to be sure. If you plan to visit a country outside the EU then you may need to carry a green card insurance document as well.

You may elect to hire a car instead of bringing yours. You will need to ascertain which countries allow you to hire a car. You must also have the official document verifying your right to drive the automobile.

For vehicles that you take with you there are GB stickers needed at the rear of your vehicle, unless you have a modern Europlate Numberplate. All vehicles will need to have their headlamps readjusted for driving on the right side of the road. This can be completed with beam reflectors on the headlamp lenses for most cars. HID xenon lights come with a switch which manually changes the beam for you without the need for the reflectors.

Legally you must have an emergency kit in your car as you move around Europe. Items in the car kit include a warning triangle, first aid kit, reflective coat, spare bulb kit, and fire extinguisher.

Driving overseas may speed up your excitement to drive faster and test your car on some of the roads. However, radar detection equipment is illegal to have in your car in many countries. France is usually most difficult in this, as they will remove the equipment from your car if they see it.

Police in Europe can fine you at the spot you were stopped. It is wise to have local currency on you to pay the fines because the other choice is a confiscation of the vehicle until you can reach a cash machine. The UK typically has higher speed limits and blood alcohol levels, which mean you need to be careful of the European country you visit. Pay attention to the speed limit posts and do not drink while on the road.

Driving abroad is a fantastic way to explore other countries, however before setting off make sure you have properly prepared from your journey. One final point to remember is that on the continent they drive on the right. This may seem an obvious point but you can easily be caught out when pulling out of junctions or approaching a roundabout.

If you want to make sure that motoring abroad is not disrupted by the inconvenience of finding a replacement car bulb like the H4 Bulbs it can be a good idea to make sure you are prepared. By carrying a Spare Bulbs Kit in your boot or glovebox you can be motoring again in no time.