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Taking Your Car to Europe

When planning to drive in Europe, there are certain things that you need to bear in mind. Let Express Insurance give you a few tips, which if you use your common sense should give you an enjoyable trip.

As with all the best holidays there should be a certain amount of preparation. Before you go, check your car insurance, license and breakdown cover are all valid whilst abroad. If you need European breakdown cover just ask Express whilst you are checking you insurance policy. It will be worth you're while to get your car checked before you go. Then you will need to go shopping, as you'll need recent maps, a warning triangle, a spare set of bulbs, a first aid kit, and probably a fire extinguisher. If you are driving in Spain, you may even need to visit the Opticians, as you should have a spare pair of glasses if you wear them normally! You may need to remove things from you car- for instance a spare petrol can is illegal in Greece!

The other thing you need is to do is check out the laws, speed limits, and road signs in the countries that you are visiting and passing through. Most speed limits are different, and there can be high penalties for breaking them. Beware if you are in France as French police can prosecute speeding on evidence taken from the time its taken you to get from one autoroute tollbooth to the next. Also in France, anyone caught traveling at more than 25km/h above the speed limit can have their licence confiscated on the spot. Some of the laws are stricter than ours, be aware that Drink Driving laws are different as well, again in France their laws are more stringent those in UK.

Some roads signs are different, be especially careful to check out what their traffic lights mean, especially the flashing amber. Of course, sometimes locals don't keep the laws, but make sure that you do, as some countries give on the spot fines, that can be up to £100. If you are a new driver, you might have more restrictions on speed that other drivers. Also be aware that the customs may be different, flashing your lights in Italy is indicating that they are coming through- not you!

In some European countries toll roads are more common than in the UK, so always carry some spare change with you in your car, and be aware of the countries that require permits to drive on the toll roads. Always keep an eye on your petrol tank, running out of petrol is not fun at the best of times, especially in a foreign country, but in Germany it's illegal to run out on the Autobahn. Don't get upset in Germany either as it is an offence to make derogatory signs or use abusive language.

The most obvious difference is that driving in Europe is on the right, meaning that you need to be constantly aware where you are looking. Also you're mirrors will give you different blind spots, roundabouts will be the wrong way, and pulling out, especially from parking, will be hazardous. Always look left! Never let you guard down, and beware especially when getting of the ferry as most accidents happen then.

If you hire a car abroad there are different hazards, as whole car that you are driving is different. And you are still driving of the right, so most of the above still applies.

The wisest thing to do is to check out websites, or books from the country, to find out the particular differences. But most importantly, make sure you have car insurance sorted for your vehicle, and enjoy your driving.

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