Insurance
Please ensure that your vehicle is covered by a fully comprehensive policy for use outside of the UK and that this policy includes repatriation of the vehicle to the UK in the event of an accident. If your policy does not provide for this facility you should upgrade its status for the period the car will be outside of the UK. Keep your insurers emergency number close to hand.

Green Card
We strongly recommend that you obtain an International Motor Insurance Certificate (green card), from your motor insurer. It is important to check with your motor insurer or broker what cover you have abroad as a Green Card may not always be issued.

Breakdowns
If your car has a breakdown, it is your responsibility to repatriate it to the UK. We strongly advise for your total peace of mind that you take out a European Breakdown Cover policy, such as that offered by the RAC.

Travel Pack
It is required by law in many countries that you carry a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, headlamp beam reflectors and spare lamp bulbs.  Before starting your journey be sure to obtain these items.  It is also advisable that you take along with you some simple service items for your car such as spare fan belt.   If you have a spare set of keys, it is wise to take them and have another member of your party carry them.

GB Sticker
Vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) are no longer obliged to affix a GB sticker to the rear of the vehicle when driving in European Union countries. However, a GB sticker is still required on the rear of any UK registered motor vehicle, caravan or trailer when driving in non-European Union countries.

EHIC Form
We recommend that you obtain form EHIC located at the back of a leaflet called Health Advice for Travellers (Ref T6) which can be obtained from main post offices in the UK  You must produce this form if you or your family are taken ill or require treatment when you are abroad in European Economic Area Countries.

International Driving Permit
In addition to your current full UK Driving Licence, you may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to allow you to drive in certain countries. An International Driving Permit is internationally recognised and normally allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle without additional formality.  Please check the requirements in the countries you are visiting.

Vehicles with over 9 seats
Special requirements for vehicles with over 9 seats apply across Europe. Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have had a full year's car driving experience before hand. Special documents and tachographs are mandatory throughout the EU. For more information contact your local Department of Transport Area Office.

General tips and advice to make your trip safe and enjoyable.

• Pack an emergency kit in your car. Include motion sickness  medication if anyone in your group suffers from it.
• Remove any items from the car that you won’t need on your trip.
• Prepare some on road entertainment for your trip. Include games and CDs of music and/or audio books.
• Research the roads you’ll take. You’ll especially want to know if you’ll be travelling through areas of major road construction.
• Ensure the maps you are using are up-to-date. Check the roads before you go!
• Familiarise yourself with road signs and general road rules of the country you are visiting before you go. Fortunately the principles of road signs are the same: triangles warn, circles prohibit and rectangles inform.
• Speed limits are implemented rigorously. Radar traps are frequent. In France, anyone caught travelling at more than 25km/h above the speed limit can have their licence confiscated on the spot.
• Remember – Speeding and other traffic offences are subject to on-the-spot fines.
• Europe has strict drink driving laws, at least as strict as in the UK, and in most countries stricter.
• Most accidents abroad are caused by forgetting which way to look, everything is the wrong way round and nothing is where you would expect it to be. Think back to front - especially on roundabouts and road junctions.
• Be especially careful when setting off from service stations or restaurants on the left side of the road.
• Take care when overtaking - allow more space between you and the car in front so you can see further down the road ahead.
• Watch out for amber filter signs at town traffic lights allowing you to turn right (with care) against a red light.
• Remember that locals will always drive faster than the speed limit. You're on holiday, so there's no need to race (or even match) them. A car that is just a dot in your mirror will very quickly become a car that fills your mirror with flashing headlights, so overtake with care.
• Lock all doors and the boot when leaving the vehicle as well as closing windows and the sunroof.
• Park in a well-lit place.
• Avoid leaving possessions in an unattended vehicle. If you have to leave property, make sure it is in a locked boot. In a hatchback, the rear shelf should be in position. In an estate car, cover up property with a sheet or blanket.
• Be sceptical of locals pointing out 'problems' with your car while you are driving (this includes being flashed from behind). Do not stop immediately. Carry on to the next busy public place to inspect your vehicle.
• If an attacker tries to pull you over or block your way, do not stop the car - sound the horn, flash your headlights to attract attention and stay in the locked car if possible.
• Don't leave car insurance, passport, travel tickets or documents in your car when parked.
• Take your keys with you at the petrol station when you go to pay.
• Obey the rules of the road: being a tourist is no excuse for not being aware of them.
• If you break down on the autoroute in France you must use the SOS boxes to call for help. It's illegal to call by any other means e.g. mobile phone.
• 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, so don’t risk taking one.
• Never pick up hitch-hikers or strangers, no matter how innocent they may appear.
• And finally remember. have a good trip.

DID YOU KNOW?

• For most countries in Europe you have to be over 18 to drive.
• In Austria, all vehicles using motorways and expressways must display a motorway tax sticker, which you can get at petrol stations.
• In Belarus, it’s against the law to drive a dirty car.
• In Croatia and many other countries, it's forbidden to carry petrol in a can in your vehicle when driving.
• In Cyprus, you can't use your horn between 10pm and 6am and never near any hospitals.
• In Spain, If you wear glasses it is also an offence not to have a spare set with you.
• In Finland, you must use dipped headlights during the day
  In Greece, police can take away your number plate for parking illegally, so beware.
• In Macedonia, it's even illegal for a passenger, who's obviously had too much to drink, to travel in the front passenger seat of the car.
• In Russia, you're advised to avoid driving at night between towns. If you've held a driving licence for less than two years you must not go faster than 70km/h (43mph).
• In Slovakia, you can't have any alcohol in your blood when driving. Drink driving is strictly forbidden, and in Romania you might go to prison.
• You must have any visible damage to your car certified by the authorities before you can enter some countries.
• Vehicles entering Bulgaria are required to have their wheels disinfected to minimise the spread of livestock diseases.
• In Germany, it is illegal to run out of petrol on the Autobahn, as it is to make derogatory signs at fellow drivers.

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