If you’re thinking of going on holiday to Europe this year, you may need to decide whether you are going to take your own car or hire a car when you arrive there. If you want to take your own car, there are a number of things that are vital that you remember - from taking documentation with you to understanding the rules of the road in the country you plan to visit. We’ve broken down the key elements of driving through Europe that you need to make sure that your trip is one to remember in all the right ways.
What documentation should I take with me when driving in Europe?
When driving in Europe, there is important documentation that you must take with you and have ready if asked, otherwise you could be handed a fine of up to €750 (approximately £633 based on current exchange rates). Before you take your own vehicle to a European country, you must ensure the MOT and tax are up-to-date and valid. Ensure you also have the following documentation on you at all times:
- Full driving licence
- National insurance number
- Travel insurance documents
- Proof of ID (this could be your passport as you’ll have it with you anyway)
- V5C certificate
- Proof of vehicular insurance
- European breakdown cover policy number and any relevant documentation
- If you are driving in France, you will need a Crit’air sticker (this is a ‘clean air’ sticker that was introduced in some French cities in 2017 to improve air quality and restrict vehicles that don’t comply)
- You may also require an international driving permit
- You may also need a ‘UK’ sticker (this is only if you don’t have an identifier with the Union Jack on the registration plate)
It is vital that all of your documentation is in order before you take your car overseas. If not, you risk a hefty fine and the potential for having your car towed. Not displaying a Crit’air sticker could land you with a fine of €83 (approximately £70). Germany also has a similar scheme in place.
What equipment do I need to take with me to Europe?
Whilst it may be easy to remember your documentation, you may not realise that you’re required to take certain equipment with you as well. One such piece of equipment are headlight deflectors - whilst driving on UK roads, our headlights are configured for right-hand driving. If you drive on the right side of the road in a right-hand drive in European countries, you run the risk of dazzling oncoming drivers. To prevent this, you need deflectors. Depending on your car, you may be able to adjust the beam yourself manually. Some other equipment to remember includes:
- A warning triangle (a necessity in most countries)
- Reflective jackets (you must ensure you have one for each of your passengers and you must ensure they are in the cabin, not the boot
- First aid kit (a necessity in France, Germany and Austria)
- Safety helmets (these are mandatory for riders and passengers of motorbikes and mopeds
- Breathalyser (France requires you have one in your vehicle at all times)
There is a range of other equipment you could take with you when travelling to Europe, including replacement bulbs, a torch, a spare fuel can or additional oil and engine water, but these are recommendations rather than legal requirements. It’s important that you have other articles on you, such as sun cream, water and medication, just in case you’re travelling far and there are no stops en route.
What are the general rules when driving in Europe?
Driving in another country can be a whole new and different experience than driving in the UK. There are a number of crucial differences you should be aware of before you start driving in another country. Whilst some rules are generally the same, it is essential that you understand what the rules are in the country you are driving in to avoid fines or being pulled by the police. Some other general rules to be aware of include:
- Passing - on some narrower roads, drivers may use their indicator to let you know that you can pass them. It’s essential that you understand what the signs and road markings mean in other countries as well - for example, in the UK, we have a double white line to indicate that you must not cross it in either direction and it’s the same in Germany. However in France, it’s a single white that indicates that you must not cross it in either direction.
- Roundabouts- whilst roundabouts are a standard in the UK, driving on the opposite side of the road may be cause for some confusion. The same rules apply, for example, traffic on the roundabout has right-of-way. If you’re unsure of your exit, there’s no harm in driving around the roundabout several times in order to find the correct exit. Just like in the UK, you can use signage to find out which lane you need before you join.
- Red lights- in some European countries, it is against the law to turn right on a red light unless signage specifically states that you can. This is most common in Germany.
- Speeding- just like in the UK, it’s important that you follow the speed limits to avoid fines. A lot of European countries have speed checking and will send speeding tickets in the post. If you’re unsure what the speed limit is for the roads you are likely to be travelling on, research the area and what the speed limit is likely to be. It is worth noting that in Europe, speed is displayed in kilometres per hour rather than miles per hour - an example would be the national speed limit in France is 110 km/h (68mph) on dual carriageways.
- Drinking and driving - similar to in the UK, you can face fines and prison should you be caught drinking and driving. In France, it’s a mandatory requirement to have an unused breathalyser in the car at all times - these are supplied as standard in rental vehicles, but you’ll need to be aware of this rule if you have picked the car up from somewhere else.
- Safety rules- no country in Europe allows the use of a mobile phone behind the wheel. Some countries require you to have your headlights on at all times (a reason why daytime running lights are now fitted to most vehicles). This has been introduced in Poland, Bulgaria and Serbia to name a few. This is to improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians during the daytime, especially in countries where the weather changes often.
- European driving- whilst in the UK, we must follow the highway code at all times - failure to do so can result in fines or prison. When you are driving in Europe, the difference is very noticeable - for example, in Italy and Greece, road rules aren’t really taken into consideration. Red lights are more of a guide than a law, so driving through them isn’t an issue. This means you should be extra wary when driving.
What are the rules for renting a car in Europe?
If you decide to rent a car on your European travels rather than take your own car, there are a few things you should be aware of. The legal age for renting a car in Europe is 18, but some rental companies require you to be at least 25 before you can hire a car. It is also important that you have a full driving licence from the country you live in. Ensure your driving licence isn’t about to expire - it must be valid for the entirety of your stay.
Similarly to taking your own car, you’ll need to take all of the relevant documentation with you. When you hire through a rental company, the car must be covered by third-party liability insurance. Always keep your rental documentation with you at all times, as this will tell you the insurance you are covered by should something happen during your hire. If you plan to take the car from an EU country to a non-EU country, your rental company will need to know so that they can organise the right registration plates and ensure you are covered if you break down. Travelling to other EU countries shouldn’t be as much of a problem, though you may have to pay a fee when crossing a border - you’ll need to check the terms of your rental contract to see if there are any geographic limitations. If you want to drop your rental off in a different location or country from where you picked it up, you may need to pay a drop-off fee (not all rental companies ask you to pay a fee). If you want to tow a motorhome or trailer, you will need an updated licence and a green card.
Thinking of travelling through Europe? Find the right car for your needs today
Rules for driving through Europe are changing all the time, so it’s important that if you’re thinking of travelling with your own car or a rental, you must keep an eye on the laws and what is required of you as a visitor. If you’re thinking of buying a new car specifically for travelling to different countries, then it’s vital that you choose a car you are comfortable with driving on roads you haven’t driven on before. Take a look at our range of new and used vehicles today. If you’re unsure what you're looking for or would like more information about one of the vehicles you see on our website, don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our team and we’d be happy to help you.