Tips for driving in Europe

A few simple steps can help ensure your driving trip to mainland Europe runs smoothly.

Much of the best advice is common sense – ensure that your trip is well-planned, that your vehicle is in good working order and that you take your time.

However, rules and regulations vary from country to country – our tips for driving in Europe cover what we think are the most important points.

• Documents you should take with you:
  1. driving licence with paper counterpart if applicable
  2. vehicle registration document (V5)
  3. motor insurance certificate
  4. passport
  5. European breakdown call-out number – 0044 870 77 44 565 for those with ETA European cover

• Breakdown cover
  Get an instant quote for european breakdown cover for cars, vans and motorbikes aged up to 20 years.
  1. Breaking down on motorways in France
     If you breakdown on a motorway in France you will have to use the emergency phones at the side of the road to call out the recovery service operated by the French police – nobody else is permitted to attend broken down vehicles on this type of road. You will be charged a fee, but if you ask to be taken to the nearest exit slip, you can ask your own breakdown service provider to take you from there.
  2. French roads, new drivers and speed limits
     Whilst on the subject of motorways, it’s worth noting that in France lower speed limits apply to visiting drivers who have held a driving licence for less than two years (motorways 110kph rather than 130kph, open roads 80kph rather than 90kph and dual carriageways 100kph rather than 110kph)
• Alcohol and driving
  Alcohol limits for driver vary slightly from country to country – the best advice is to avoid drink completely if you are driving.
• Breathalyser Law in France
  Disposable breathalyser kits remain on the list of items you are required to take with you when you drive in France (see other items listed below), but there is no fine for not having a breathalyzer in your car. In January 2013, the French government said the fine for not having an unused breathalyzer with you (which was to have been €11) has been postponed indefinitely. In other words, you are supposed to take one but there is no fine imposed for non-compliance. Under French law, drivers are already required to carry a fluorescent vest, warning triangle, replacement headlamp bulbs and a rudimentary first aid kit. The high-viz vest is to be worn if the driver has to step out of the car after breaking down or simply stopping on a busy road.

• Insurance
  Don’t assume your car insurance covers your trip abroad – most policies include basic third party cover for driving in Europe but the only way to be certain of your level of cover is to read your policy or contact your provider.
• Medical treatment
  Some degree of reduced-cost care is available in most European countries, but the service is not always comprehensive and the cost of repatriation in the event of an emergency is never covered. The ETAprovides comprehensive holiday insurance – with discounts available for those who choose not to. Need holiday insurance?
• Child seats
  If you have young children and are hiring a car abroad, you might consider taking your own child seat with you. It might seem like a hassle, but the seats provided by the car hire company get a lot of use (and abuse) and to make matters worse, if it is a model you are unfamiliar with, you may find the local staff unhelpful – they are often told that for reasons of legal liability they are not allowed to fit the seats themselves.

• Reflective tabards and warning triangles
  France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia all require that drivers carry a reflective jacket or tabard for use if the car breaks down.

All cars in Europe must carry a warning triangle, and cars in France must carry a reflective tabard, replacement bulbs and a first aid kit. The ferry companies will gladly remind you of this and charge around £50 for these items if you buy them on board.

• Headlights
  You will need to adjust your car’s headlamps to suit driving on the right as failure to do so will dazzle oncoming drivers and could land you with a fine. Headlamp beam converter kits are widely available but Halogen or Xenon headlamps may need adjustment by your dealer.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK’s most ethical provider.