When driving abroad, you may be asked to produce your documents at any time. Make sure that they are in order and available to avoid the risk of a police fine or even having your car taken away.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all documentation needed to comply with the requirements of immigration, customs, health and other relevant regulations. If you are travelling in a vehicle other than a car or motorcycle, or you are taking a boat, you may need additional documents.
When travelling abroad, you need to take with you: a valid and full (not provisional) driving licence; driving licence paper counterpart if you have a photocard licence; original vehicle registration document (log book); motor insurance certificate; your travel insurance documents; passports; and an international driving permit when necessary. For more information, visit http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/idp-requirements-by-country.html#notes
Check with your motor insurer to make sure you have the cover you expect when driving abroad. Your insurer may ask to be notified when you travel abroad or provide only third party cover when you do.
If you are taking a vehicle abroad that is company owned, hired or borrowed you will need a letter of authorisation from the registered keeper. In addition you will need to take either the original vehicle registration document (log book) or a vehicle on hire certificate.
For emergency situations, 112 is the European emergency call number you can dial anywhere in the European Union in case of accident, assault or in any other distress situation. To prevent yourself falling victim to crime, don’t leave handbags or other attractive items in view at any time, even when you are in the car.
For drinking and driving, there is only one safe rule: if you drink, don’t drive. Laws are strict and the penalties severe. On March 1, 2012, the French government confirmed that from July 1, 2012 drivers of all motor vehicles and motorcycles (excluding mopeds) must carry a breathalyser. The regulation was to be enforced from November 1, 2012 (later postponed to March 1, 2013) and anyone stopped after that date who fails to produce a breathalyser when requested was to receive an on-the-spot fine of €11. In January 2013, the French government announced that the implementation of the sanction for drivers not carrying a breathalyser, a fine of €11 has been postponed indefinitely. This means that you are still required to carry a self-test breathalyser when driving in France but there is no current legislation demanding a fine for non-compliance.
If you’re going to a European Economic Area country or Switzerland, make sure you have a free European Health Insurance Card. The EHIC card entitles you to reduced cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries but the cover provided under the respective national schemes is not always comprehensive.
Travel tips
• Use of a handheld mobile phone while driving is prohibited in many countries.
• The RMF membership card gives access to hundreds of discounts in Europe and the US.
• Take a spare pair of spectacles if you wear them, especially if you are the sole driver.
• It’s easy to forget to drive on the right, particularly after doing something familiar, such as leaving a petrol station or car park.
• Many countries require all drivers including visitors to carry reflective jackets. In Norway and Portugal they are compulsory for residents only but it is still recommended that you carry them. RMF recommends that you carry at least two reflective jackets or waistcoats, one for the driver and one for a passenger. Reflective jackets must conform to EU Standard BS EN 471: 1994 Class 1 or 2.
• Adjust the beam pattern to suit driving on the right so that the dipped beam doesn’t dazzle oncoming drivers. The legal requirement is to not cause dazzle to oncoming drivers rather than specifically to adjust or convert headlamp beam pattern.
• Delays and bad weather can’t always be predicted so even if you’re only making a short trip and don’t plan to drive at night, it is recommended that you at least carry a set of headlamp beam convertors with you, unless your lights can be adapted without them.
• Many countries require visiting motorists to carry a warning triangle.
• Don’t overload the car as, safety risks apart, this can incur fines and possibly invalidate your insurance.
• Service your car well in advance to reduce the chance of expensive breakdowns while you’re abroad.
• 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. Some countries also prohibit the use of GPS based navigation systems which have maps indicating the location of fixed speed cameras.
• Take out travel insurance for your trip abroad to ensure that you’re covered for accidents and emergencies. For a competitive quote for travel insurance, including special trips such as skiing, backpacking and weddings, visit the Atlas Travel Insurance website.
• Check tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth before you go.