Driving in Europe
General advice for motoring in Europe
Your documents
You may be asked to produce your documents at any time. To avoid a police fine and/or confiscation of your vehicle, be sure that they are in order and readily available for inspection.
Documents you should take with you
- A valid full driving licence (not provisional), with paper counterpart if you have a photocard licence
- An International Driving Permit when necessary
- The original vehicle registration document
- Your motor insurance certificate
- Your passport
You may need a visa for certain countries if you hold:
- A UK passport that was not issued in the UK
- A foreign passport that was issued outside Europe
If you're travelling in a vehicle other than a motor car or motorcycle or taking a boat, make sure you have any additional documentation that may be required.
If the vehicle you're driving is borrowed, hired or leased, contact us for guidance.
Your passengers and you
Breakdown cover
Make sure that you have adequate cover. AA European Breakdown Cover provides cover for many European countries.
Car crime
Never leave handbags and other attractive items in obvious view even when you are in the car, and never leave anything in an unattended car.
For advice on car crime or personal safety in specific countries, contact the Foreign Office Travel Advice Unit on 0845 850 2829 or visit the Foreign Office web site at
www.fco.gov.uk/en/travelling-and-living-overseas/travel-advice-by-country/ .
Drinking and driving
There is only one safe rule – if you drink, don't drive. Laws are strict and the penalties are severe.
Insurance
Contact your insurer for advice at least a month before taking a vehicle overseas. Ensure that you're adequately covered and have the necessary documents to prove it.
Medical treatment
Generally you can get urgent medical treatment at reduced cost, from the health-care schemes of those countries with which the UK has health-care arrangements. You'll find details in the Department of Health booklet 'Health Advice for Travellers', available from any main post office. Don't rely exclusively on these arrangements, as the cover provided under the respective national schemes is not always comprehensive – and the cost of bringing a person back to the UK in the event of illness or death is never covered. Make sure you have adequate travel insurance.
Credit Cards
Occasionally we hear reports of UK issued credit cards not being accepted at stores or petrol stations in other countries.
If you're going to rely on a particular credit card whilst away we recommend checking with the card company to confirm that it can be used in the country you're visiting.
Mobile phones
The use of hand-held mobile phones while driving is prohibited in many countries.
Pets
Contact the PETS Helpline on 0870 241 1710 or visit the PETS website at www.defra.gov.uk/animalh/quarantine/pets/index.htm.
Show your card
If you are a Personal AA member, ask for an ARC Europe 'Show Your Card', giving a wide range of savings and discounts in Europe.
Spectacles
Take a spare pair of spectacles if you wear them – especially if you are the sole driver.
Think right
It's easy to forget to drive on the right, particularly after doing something familiar, such as leaving a petrol station or car park.
Your car
Child restraints
Never fit a rear-facing child restraint in a seat with a front airbag. Find out more about child safety in cars.
GB sticker
Compulsory, and failure to comply could result in an on-the-spot fine.
Euro-plates - number plates that include the GB euro-symbol - have been legal since March 2001 and make display of a conventional sticker unnecessary within the EU.
In some countries outside the EU a conventional sticker is required even if you have euro-plates, so it is always safer to display one.
Reflective jacket/waistcoat
When visiting Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia.
The AA recommends that each vehicle carries at least two jackets/waistcoats in the passenger compartment - one for the driver and one for a passenger. Our country-by-country advice includes details of specific national requirements - you should check this for the countries you're visiting.
The Jacket/waistcoat must conform to EU Standard BS EN 471: 1994 Class 1 or 2.
If you intend hiring a car in one of the countries that require reflective jackets it's important to be aware that not all suppliers provide reflective jackets as standard with their cars. We advise checking with the hire company concerned before you travel.
Suitable jackets/waistcoats for both adults and children are available from www.aatravelshop.com and from AA Travelshops: Dover and Eurotunnel (Folkestone).
Headlights
If you're driving to the Continent then you must adjust the headlamp beam pattern to suit driving on the right so that the dipped beam doesn't dazzle oncoming drivers.
Never go without adjusting the headlamp pattern as it is a compulsory requirement in most countries.
Headlamp beam converter kits are widely available but don't leave headlamp conversion to the last minute, as a dealer may need to make the adjustment.
Modern high-intensity discharge (HID) or xenon headlights
These can't be adapted by applying an external mask. Fortunately, many feature an internal 'shutter' that can be moved into place by a screw or lever adjustment at the back of the headlamp unit. But some designs are less convenient and the dealer will need to make the adjustment.
Modern halogen-type headlamps
Some of these now require external masks of such complex design that motorists struggle to follow the instructions and work out exactly how and where the mask should be applied.
Check with the dealer or the car's handbook for advice – especially if your car has HID or XENON headlamps. Remember to remove the converters as soon as you return to the UK.
Warning Triangle
A warning triangle is compulsory in some European countries including Austria, Belgium, Italy, Switzerland and Spain and is recommended in others such as France, Germany, Netherlands and Portugal.
For a full list of all other car essentials visit www.aatravelshop.com
Leaded petrol
Leaded petrol is no longer generally available in northern European countries and Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) is getting more difficult to find. If LRP is not on sale, an anti-wear additive (for treating unleaded petrol) can be bought from the filling station shop.
Overloading
Don't overload the car as, safety risks apart, this can incur fines and possibly invalidate insurance.
Booze cruises
We're called out regularly, especially around Christmas, as overloaded cars break down on their return from the Continent. Remember, carrying five cases of wine is equivalent to having another passenger in the car. If you overload your car you could pay more in repair bills than you saved on your shopping. Overloading can cause the following problems:
- damage suspension
- burn out the clutch
- cause punctures or uneven wear on tyres
If you are planning a booze cruise, take the stress out of breaking down abroad with European Breakdown Cover – ideal for short trips to the Continent.
Rear-view mirrors
If your vehicle is not equipped with a door or wing-mirror on the left-hand side we recommend that you get one fitted to aid driving on the right.
Servicing
Service your car well in advance to reduce the chance of expensive breakdowns when abroad.
Speed-trap detection devices
The use or possession of devices to detect police radar is illegal in most European countries. Penalties can include fine, driving ban, and even imprisonment.
Tyres
Like the UK, most countries require a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm over the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference.
We recommend a minimum of 2mm but consider changing tyres if the tread is down to 3mm before you go. Tyres wear out quickly after they get down to 3mm.
Wheel chains
Important for any winter motoring and compulsory in some countries even when using winter tyres.
Snow Chains are available from the AA's Dover and Folkestone shops - the Folkestone shop is beyond the customs point.
Customers must ring first to check availability and will be asked for the vehicle Make & Model and the tyre size read from the sidewall of the tyre.
Prices start @ £49.99 and AA members get a 5% discount.
AA Port Shop Free phone Number:
Why not take advantage of our free phone contact number at Eurotunnel by calling ahead to pre- order your car essentials!
Folkestone: 0800 072 4372