These tips come from the Institute of Advanced Motorists.
With the summer holiday season beginning it’s time to consider the preparations you need to make if you are planning to drive abroad.
Whether you will be driving in your own vehicle or hiring, road traffic regulations can vary widely from country to country and getting your head around these can be a daunting task. The IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists) have prepared some simple tips to help you understand what it is you’ll need to know while away.
The Law: Most countries legislation is similar to the UK; however, it’s worth checking you know how local laws will affect you. For example, the drink drive limit in Germany is 50mg per 100ml of blood compared with 80mg in the UK. Don’t be tempted to drink and drive while on holiday.
Documents: Whilst driving abroad you may need your full driving licence, with paper counterpart, an international driving permit in some countries, the vehicle registration document and your insurance details.
Services: Service stations are widely accessible in the UK. Some countries have petrol stations which are few and far between. It is worth getting an idea of how frequently you will need to fill up. This will ensure you don’t end up running out of fuel before you get the chance to reach the next station.
Breaking Down: Different countries expect motorists to carry a variety of items, in case of a break down. For example, it is now compulsory to carry a yellow jacket in France, and a first aid it in Croatia.
Camera Detectors: Some countries, such as Switzerland and Germany, prohibit the use of safety camera detectors and it’s worth checking the law of the country you are visiting, prior to arriving. If your sat nav has built in detectors you may have to switch this facility off.
Driving on the left or right: In European countries, they drive on the ‘other’ side of the road. This can be confusing at first so you may need to concentrate harder. Remind yourself with the mantra “Think right, look left.”
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