Things To Consider Before Driving In Europe
Turning your European summer break into a road trip can give you the freedom to be
flexible with your plans and enjoy a sense of discovery on the open road. Driving in Europe can be a daunting experience, particularly for new drivers. Adjusting to different motoring conditions, such as local road laws, driving on the right side of the road, reading speed limits in kilometres instead of miles and following signs in a foreign language can be confusing. Preparing for your trip by researching and planning in advance can make this a much easier experience.
Research and prepare
Before driving overseas, always research and prepare for the countries youre visiting. Make sure your licence details are up to date and always take both parts of your driving licence, motor insurance certificate and your passport. If youre driving your own car, you may need to keep your V5 log book with you. In some countries, failure to carry the correct ownership documentation can result in a fine.
Be aware of speed limits for the countries you are visiting and never exceed these, make sure you know in advance which side of the road you will be driving on and if there are any local road laws you should be aware of.
With a valid full driving licence, you can legally drive a car in the UK aged 17. Be aware before planning a trip that other European countries may have their own age restrictions . There may even be minimum and maximum ages for driving in some countries . If you are above or below these ages you wont be able to drive, even if you have a valid UK licence.
Wherever you are, its best practice never to drink and drive. Remember that in other European countries legal blood alcohol limits vary from zero tolerance to just a bit lower than in the UK . Its worth paying particular attention to laws around drink driving for each country you intend to visit, as these may differ and extend beyond simply not consuming alcohol before you drive. For example, as of 1st July 2012, motorists in France will be legally required to carry at least two breathalysers in their vehicle at all times, failure to do so could result in an on the spot fine.
Its a good idea to buy maps of the area in advance and study these to familiarise yourself with your route and the local road systems. Many satnav systems also cover areas of Europe or can be upgraded to include European maps. Although its never a good idea to rely solely on a satnav to navigate, it can be useful if you find yourself in an area you dont recognise. If this happens, its always a good idea to find a safe place to pull over so that you can sense check the route generated before resuming your journey.
Renting a vehicle in Europe
Due to differences in vehicle requirements and driving conditions, its advisable to rent a car when travelling in Europe to avoid confusion while driving. For example, the majority of European countries drive on the right hand side of the road, so driving in a car built for right hand driving can make this a much easier experience.
Hiring a car in Europe from a reputable company should mean the vehicle meets the legal requirements to drive in that country, so you wont have to worry about modifying your UK car for countries youre visiting. Check local car hire rules in advance of your journey. In some countries extra insurance is required for drivers under the age of 25, hiring a car in the Republic of Ireland is more expensive if youre aged 69-74.
Driving your own car in Europe
Research legal vehicle requirements thoroughly before driving your own car overseas and make any necessary modifications in advance of your journey. For example, in some countries winter tyres may be compulsory in wintery conditions.
Display a GB sticker clearly and if driving on the right side of the road, you will need headlamp converters for your car. Find out if there are any items you need to legally have in your car for each country you visit. For example, in France its compulsory to keep a warning triangle and reflective jacket in your vehicle, failure to do so can result in a fine.
Check with your insurance company that youre fully covered to drive in Europe, this should include breakdown recovery and medical expenses resulting from an accident. Thoroughly service your vehicle before leaving the UK to lessen the chances of a breakdown.
In Europe, road speeds are quantified in kilometres instead of miles. If you are driving your own car in Europe and relying on your speedometer to indicate your speed, its important to remember that there are approximately 1.6 kilometres per mile. Research standard speed limits in advance of your trip and convert these into miles so that you can be sure you arent breaking the law by speeding.
by: Dominic Cohen
The Best Thatching Raw Materials In Europe Ltc Europe Tour At Your Finger Tips Now Ltc Europe Tour Independent Review Of World Ventures Ltc Europe Tour Common Types Of Senior Living Options Ltc Europe Tour The Truth About World Ventures A Perfect Europe Ltc Europe Tour With Your Budget Ltc Europe Tour Plan A Successful Europe Tour 3 Best European Mountain Camping Spots! West European May Extend Working Hours Of A Week More Topless Cars Bought In The Uk Than The Rest Of Europe Combined Glimpses Of European History Maruti A-star - Meeting European Emission Standards Ce Marking Is Vital In Europe While Importing Boats From Usa