SAVE over
on 2 weeks cover
£133
Driving abroad
Don’t drive abroad unprepared - read
our advice on travel insurance, european breakdown cover, accidents and driving conditions abroad.
Before you go
- *Familiarise yourself with the driving laws of the country you are
visiting – including local speed limits and which side of the road they
drive on!
- *You should be aware that provisional licences are a national
document issued within the framework of driver training and do not
entitle the holder to drive outside the territory of the issuing member
state.
- *Check with your insurance company that
you’re fully covered to drive abroad including breakdown recovery and
any medical expenses resulting from an accident
- *Check whether you need a Green Card for the country you’re visiting –
this provides minimum insurance
- *Check whether you need an International Driving Permit
- *Service your vehicle before leaving the UK
- *Check you can comply with the vehicle requirements of the countries
you’ll visit.
- *Check your safety equipment, bulbs, jackets, warning trianagles etc. Many are required abroad by law
Find out what you need to take:
The regulations of what you need
to carry with you in your vehicle when you're abroad can differ very
much from the UK. One example is your proof of vehicle ownership (V5 log
book). In the UK, you are advised not to carry this in your vehicle,
however in many European countries if you don't then you could be
subject to a fine.
Whilst you’re away:
- *Drive defensively and expect the unexpected – the local driving
style may be different to that of the UK
- *Don’t drive when you’re tired and take regular breaks on long
journeys
- *Always wear a seat belt and make sure other passengers do too
- *Don’t drink and drive – the alcohol limit may be lower than in the
UK and in some countries there is zero tolerance for drink driving
- *Don't use your mobile whilst driving
- *Don’t overload your vehicle and ensure you can see out of the back
window
- *If you’re involved in an accident, contact your European Breakdown Cover immediately
and take photographs of damage to your vehicle
Driving your own car
You should have a GB sticker clearly visible on the back of your car
if your number plate doesn’t include this information. You’ll also need
headlamp converters if you’re driving on the right-hand side of the
road.
Motorbikes
- *Make sure your travel insurance covers you before you decide to
drive or be a passenger on a motorbike - check the exclusions carefully.
Our recent research shows that a quarter of young travellers admit to
driving or being the passenger of a moped or quad bike without checking
if their insurance covers them first!
- *Always wear a helmet and protective clothing, whether you’re the
driver or a passenger
- *There should never be more than two people on a bike
- *Never ride the bike when you have been drinking alcohol