Driving licence
If you hold a driving licence issued in Malta or in any EU member state, you may drive in all EU countries, provided that your licence is valid and that you only drive the category of vehicles you are entitled to.
To drive in a non-EU country that is party to the Geneva Convention on Road Traffic, it is advisable that you obtain an international driving permit. This permit is issued for a year, on presentation of a valid licence issued either in Malta or in an EU member state.
You will be required to produce: a completed application form (DRV.06), your identity card or passport; two passport-sized photographs; a medical certificate (DRV.08) if you are aged over 70. The permit will be issued immediately against a €29.11 fee.
In some countries, in addition to carrying a valid driving licence, you will need your vehicle registration document. The minimum age for driving a car is 18.
Minimum age limits for hiring a car vary between 20 and 23, while maximum age limits can vary between 65 and 75.
Motor insurance
Your car insurance policy will automatically provide the minimum cover (third party liability) required by law in the EU. This also applies to Iceland, Norway and Switzerland.
If you have comprehensive insurance at home, check that the cover extends to travelling abroad. You may also want to consider vehicle breakdown assistance, such as the European Breakdown Service provided by RMF.
Green cards
A green card is not obligatory when travelling in the EU but it serves as internationally recognised proof of insurance and makes it easier to claim compensation.
If you do not take a green card with you, you should carry your certificate of insurance. The green card system currently covers 44 countries. Your insurer can give you a European accident statement form, a standard document that makes it easier to make a declaration on the spot if you have an accident in another country.
Car ferries
You have a choice of ferries from Malta to mainland Europe. Virtu Ferries Fast Ferry for passengers and vehicles sails to Pozzallo in Sicily. All trips leave and arrive at Malta at the Sea Passenger Terminal, Pinto Wharf, Valletta, operating approximately five days a week during the low season and daily in summer. Daily crossings are increased during the high season. The trip takes approximately 90 minutes to Pozzallo.
Grimaldi Lines operate a passenger and cargo ferry three times a week in summer (Saturday, Monday, Wednesday) and twice a week in winter (Saturday, Monday) between Malta, Augusta and Salerno.
Augusta is conveniently located between Syracuse and Catania, while Salerno is ideal for that motorist who wants to travel from Rome upwards.
Information requirements
In accordance with the international directive Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), when you book your ticket at a travel agent, you must submit the following details: name and surname, sex, age, type and registration number of the vehicle. It would be helpful to declare any disability.
For non-citizens/residents of the EU, the following details are also required: nationality, passport number and expiry date, date of birth and place of birth.
Driving safely
In all EU countries, it is compulsory to wear seatbelts in both the front and back of the car.
Child car seats have to be used for children travelling in cars. Remember to drive on the left side of the road in Cyprus, Ireland and the UK.
In some countries, such as Belgium, France, the Netherlands and Portugal, you normally have to give way to traffic coming from your right. Using a mobile phone while driving greatly increases the risk of a fatal accident and is either explicitly or implicitly forbidden in all EU countries. In some countries, the use of hands-free devices is tolerated.
Although in the majority of EU countries the maximum permitted blood alcohol level is 0.5mg/ml, in others it varies between 0.2mg/ml and 0.8mg/ml (0.9mg/ml in Cyprus) and some countries do not allow any alcohol in the blood while driving.
Remember that every other country in Europe, except the UK, Cyprus, Malta and Ireland, drives on the right-hand side of the road. It’s especially easy to forget or get confused when pulling out from a parking spot, at roundabouts or starting off in the morning.
One of the most difficult things about driving in Europe is being on the right-hand side of the road. Repeat ‘drive on the right’ to yourself until you are sure you have got it. If you are driving a left-hand-drive car, overtaking on European roads should be done with extra caution. If you have to overtake, get a passenger to tell you when it is safe to do so.
Moving out from a town parking space can be a dangerous manoeuvre too, especially when reversing, so take extra care.
In some countries it is compulsory to carry an emergency warning triangle with you in case you break down. On top of this, some countries (including Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia) require you to have a reflective jacket in your car in case you need to get out of the vehicle on a busy stretch of road.
Before you go, you will need to adjust your car’s headlamp beam pattern for driving on the right-hand side, so that the dipped beam does not dazzle oncoming drivers – this is a compulsory requirement in most countries.
Headlamp beam-converter kits are widely available, but don’t leave it to the last minute, as a dealer may need to make the adjustment.
Speed limits
The speed limit on motorways is generally 110, 120 or 130km/h and the limit in built-up areas is 50 or 60km/h. Keep an eye on the signs to make sure of the exact limits and any special conditions that apply. This table (see top) gives general maximum speed limits for cars. In some countries, limits are reduced in bad weather conditions or for newly-qualified drivers.
High-speed driving
The left-hand lane on an autobahn is for people going very fast. If you need to use it to overtake a slower vehicle, check the rear view mirror very carefully and look as far back as you can. Try to overtake quickly and then move back into the right-hand lane as soon as possible, without cutting up the vehicle you are overtaking.
The major danger on an autobahn is the huge difference in speeds between lanes. If there are only two lanes in your direction, the left will have vehicles travelling over 80km/h faster than the big trucks in the right lane, which are plodding along at 96km/h and even slower up hills.
If you drive between 112km/h and 144km/h, you may find yourself too slow for the left lane and too fast for the right. This means you will be constantly switching lanes, which requires a high level of concentration. A few hours of this will take its toll and you may get tired more quickly, so take regular breaks.
If you have a car that’s up to it and decide to use the fast, left-hand lane, you will need to stay especially alert. To avoid having to slam on the brakes, watch the vehicles in the right-hand lane closely for any signs that they intend to pull out – such as a flashing indicator signal.
Take extra care when passing trucks and other large vehicles as they tend to have bigger blind spots and slower reaction times.
Tolls
There are toll roads in many countries including Austria, the Czech Republic, France, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and the UK. Visitors using Austrian motorways and ‘A’ roads must possess and display a toll label or vignette on their vehicle.
These can be bought at all major border crossings into Austria and at larger petrol stations.
Traffic signs
In Western Europe, the traffic signs are well standardised, although there are still some country-specific exceptions in many countries.
Triangular shapes (white or yellow background) are used on warning signs. The prohibition signs in Europe are round with a red border. Informative and various other secondary signs are of rectangular shape.
Traffic penalties
In December 2008, the European Commission agreed to cross-border enforcement of traffic penalties. These regulations come into force in 2010, but will be applied retroactively to fines from 2006 onwards.
This means that, at the request of a foreign government, local government will enforce fines if you have been caught committing a traffic offence in the EU.
This may also cover fines a foreign government has already made against you which you didn’t pay at that time. The amount of the fine may have increased considerably. www.traffic-penalties.eu
Essential items
When travelling on the continent, ensure you comply with European motoring requirements by carrying the following essential items of accident, emergency and breakdown equipment:
Headlamp beam adaptors
Warning triangles
Spare bulb kits
Fire extinguisher and First Aid kit
Reflective vest