There’s a lot to remember when it comes to planning a road trip abroad. Not being organised before you set off could be costly!
Whether you’re taking a car, camper van or motorhome, here’s all the essential information you’ll need to give you peace of mind that you have everything in place.
What Documents Do You Need To Take?
First and foremost, you need to ensure that all your important travel documents are kept with you at the front of the vehicle so they can be accessed quickly if required.
You’ll need your driving licence, insurance certificate and vehicle log book (V5C).
You’re also going to need to ensure that you have comprehensive breakdown cover that includes your European destination(s).
As of August 2021, drivers are no longer required to carry a Green Card (or International Motor Insurance Card) when travelling in the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes all EU countries plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. You can also travel without a Green Card in Switzerland, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Andorra.
What Safety Equipment Is Required?
UK registered vehicles must have a UK sticker on the back to drive in Europe, unless your number plate includes the Union Jack flag. These can be purchased online from Amazon, eBay etc or in store at Halfords.
You must carry a hi-vis reflective jacket, one for each person on board. Again, these must be accessible from within the vehicle so don’t store them in the garage.
It is important to add headlight beam converter stickers to your vehicle before you drive in Europe. Headlights on UK vehicles point to the left, so as to not blind drivers coming the other way. In Europe when driving on the other side of the road this would be problematic so the stickers direct the light to the right instead.
You must carry a warning triangle which will need to used to warn other drivers in the event of a breakdown.
It is also compulsory to carry a first aid kit in many European countries, including Austria, France and Germany.
Since 2020, it is no longer compulsory to carry a breathalyser when driving in Europe.
Have You Stocked Up On Essentials?
Before you embark on your journey, check you have adequate supplies in case of a breakdown.
Make sure you have enough drinking water and some snacks! Every good road trip needs an extensive selection of snacks!
If you use gas in your vehicle for cooking or heating, ensure that you have a full bottle and if possible even spares. It is possible to refill the gas bottles round Europe, but some countries use different gas to the UK so check where you can refill.
Will You Be Travelling on Motorways?
Some countries in Europe require you to have a window sticker or vignette to drive on their roads. If you plan on driving on the motorways in Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia or Switzerland you will be required to purchase a valid vignette. it is mandatory for both residents and tourists to display a vignette for driving on the national road network.
You can purchase the vignettes online before you travel, or alternatively they are available at the border crossings or nearby service stations.
Countries that don’t use vignettes often have toll roads. Most tolls take card payments, but it may always be worth keeping some cash ready just in case. It is also possible to purchase an automatic toll tag from Emovis, which totals up your toll passings and sends you a bill each month. It is also worth remembering that the toll booth windows will be on the left, which will be the passenger side of a UK vehicle.
European Driving Checklist:
- Driving licence
- Insurance documents
- Log book (V5C)
- UK sticker
- Hi-vis jackets
- Warning triangle
- First aid kit
- Drinking water
- Food/snacks
- Vignettes
- Toll tags
And last but not least, the final thing I would recommend is a good playlist! You’ll be on the road for hours on end so blast those tunes! 🎶
For recommendations on how to plan or track your travels, please refer to The 4 Best Tools For Planning an Unforgettable Roadtrip.
Live Laugh Love ✌🏼