Stay on the right track when driving abroad

The approaching summertime means many drivers will be considering driving abroad as a way of taking a holiday.

Thousands of Brits cross the Channel each year in search of new locations and experiences, with many people seeing motoring as a great way of keeping a trip as flexible as possible.

But driving abroad does differ in some key areas to motoring here in the UK, which is why there are some things to remember before you buckle up and head out.

We’ve got some of the key things to bear in mind...

MAKE YOUR CHECKS

Even before your car turns a wheel, make some pre-flight checks to ensure that your whole vehicle is in good working order.

Tyre pressures need to be checked and increased if they’re low – according to manufacturer guidelines – while fluids such as oil, coolant and windscreen wash all need to be topped up before you head off.

If you’re going on a particularly long drive, you might want to have your car serviced and inspected by a trained professional prior to your departure – it could flag up an issue which might cause a real headache during your trip.

PACK KEY EQUIPMENT

There are some items that you’ll be required to carry in your car once you reach mainland Europe.

Make sure you have a “UK” sticker on the rear of the car – these can be purchased in a variety of areas. The old “GB” stickers are no longer permitted.

While in some countries a “UK” badge on your number plate will suffice, countries such as Spain always require a sticker.

Other European countries are stricter when it comes to essential kit to carry with you. The following is required:

≤ A reflective jacket for every person in the car

≤ A warning triangle

≤ Headlight beam deflectors (if your car cannot automatically do this for driving on the other side of the road).

≤ First aid kit, which is mandatory for driving in Austria, France and Germany. Companies such as the AA and RAC will sell you a European driving kit bundle with all of the above.

HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTS

You’ll need to make sure that you have some key documentation when you’re travelling abroad.

First, you’ll need your passport, while whoever is behind the wheel will need their full and valid driving licence as well.

There are documents for your vehicle you’ll need too. Have your car’s V5C registration document – which should be in your name – in the vehicle. If your car is leased, you’ll need a document showing who the car belongs to and your entitlement to drive it.

A hard copy of your insurance documents is required, too.

Though breakdown cover isn’t mandatory, we’d

always advise having some cover in place before you embark on a drive abroad.

Just make sure that any policy you take out covers European breakdowns.

SPEED LIMITS

UK speed limits are wellknown to its residents, but limits change from country to country in Europe.

It’s commonplace for a country’s speed limits to be shown when crossing a border but you should always double-check.

A 130km/h (81mph) speed limit is quite common across Europe, but always make sure before reaching that speed.

A number of countries, such as France, also have variable speed limits which change in periods of poor weather. So, during rain, the speed limit will fall from 130km/h to 110km/h (68mph).

ALCOHOL LIMITS

The UK – excluding Scotland – has some of the highest blood-alcohol level limits in the world.

However, this isn’t a trend followed by many other countries, which is worth remembering when you’re driving abroad.

Countries such as the Czech Republic and Hungary both have zero-tolerance approaches to blood-alcohol levels, so bear this in mind.

CLEAN AIR ZONES

It isn’t just parts of the UK which have adopted Clean Air Zones – or CAZS – as there are plenty across Europe, too. Used to tackle pollution, these zones are enforced based on a car’s age and its emissions.

Check whether your car can enter such areas. In many French cities, you’ll need a Crit’air sticker for your car to enter a low emissions zone or you could end up with a fine. There’s a similar set-up in Germany, too.

WE’RE ALL GOING ON A SUMMER HOLIDAY: But it’s important to make sure your vehicle is in good working order if you’re planning to drive abroad on your annual break.

Breakdown cover is recommended when driving abroad, and make sure your paperwork is up to date and you have a first aid kit in the car as required by law in Europe.

From top, old ‘GB’ car stickers must now be changed to ‘UK’ ones; make sure you check the oil before you set off, and alcohol limits differ in other European countries.