In addition to the individual
regulations applicable there are several items also
needed when driving abroad.
Documents
Passports. Required in
every European country. Also visas required in
some but check with the appropriate embassy well
before you leave.
Driving Licence. A full UK licence is valid
in most European countries, others require photo
ID, this can be in the form of an IDP or the new
Photocard licence.
Minimum ages vary from 17 to 18
International Driving Permit is required
in some countries due to the inclusion of a photograph
but is recommended anyway.
Vehicle Registration Document will be needed
for customs purposes. If you are not the owner of
the vehicle (e.g. hire or company car) then a letter
of authorisation will suffice.
Bail Bond. Necessary in some countries
particularly Spain.
Vehicle Insurance. Inform your insurance
company that you will be taking your car/and trailer
abroad. Comprehensive cover in the UK may only be
Third Party while abroad. Check with your broker/insurer
as you may have to pay more for the extra cover.
You may be supplied with a "Green Card"
which is a multi lingual accident form.
Form E111 to enable health care to be carried
out if necessary and guarantees payment to the foreign
health system from the NHS. Only applicable to European
Union countries, consider extra personal insurance
anyway.
Ferry Tickets. Just imagine arriving at
the port without them!
Vehicle Requirements
Headlight Beam Deflectors.
With a UK based car the headlights dip towards
the kerb, as you will be travelling on the right
hand side of the road the lights would dip towards
on-coming traffic. For this reason you must either
block the part of the beam that dips or fit small
lenses that actually deflect it towards the right
hand kerb. My Headlamp
Conversion Simplified page describes the reason
and solution for this.
Spare Bulbs are required in most countries
but is a sensible thing to take anyway, along with
spare fuses.
GB Sticker
A UK registered vehicle has to display the appropriate
national identification letters on the vehicle and
any caravan or trailer you are towing. The approved
pattern is oval with black letters on a white background
and size (eg GB) at least 175mm by 115mm.
UK registration plates displaying the GB Euro symbol
(Euro Plates) became a legal option from 21 March
2001, but they must comply with the new British
Standard (BS AU 145d). These plates make display
of a conventional sticker unnecessary when circulating
within the EU.
The use of a GB sticker is advisable outside the
EU, even when displayed alongside a Euro Plate,
as the authorities in some countries still expect
to see a conventional sticker.
Emergency Triangle.
Necessary if your car breaks down and should be
placed according to the instructions on the box.
Also consider the Elite 2000 in addition to the
BS AU47 Triangle.
Fire Extinguisher. An obvious precaution
whichever country you are in. Again read the instructions
and do it now, you don't have much time after the
first smell of smoke.
First Aid Kit. Required in some countries
but another item you wish you had when the need
arises.
Spare Fuel Can. Legal in some countries,
illegal in others. If you are going to the latter
remember to empty it into your tank before entering.
Note it is illegal to run out of fuel on the German
motorway.
Tow Rope. Even if you don't go to Turkey
a tow rope could come in very handy when you wake
up to find your car up to the axles in mud due to
an overnight rain storm.
High Visibility
Vest. A legal requirement
in some countries when walking to a motorway emergency
telephone.
