Driving in Europe

Driving in Europe is often viewed as more intimidating than it really is.  Most competent drivers should be able to drive in Europe with few problems.  It does help though if you have some advice before you go. Continental European roads do vary from country to country quite considerable, as do the rules.  The general requirements are that if you have a photo card license, you need to carry it and the counterpart.  In addition most countries require you to also carry your passport.  If you do not have a photo card license you have to carry photo ID in addition to you license (normally your passport). 

In addition certain countries require you to carry certain things.  For example in France you are required to carry a warning triangle, and enough reflective jackets for every one in the car.  In addition you need to have these in the passenger compartment – so you can put them on without leaving the car first.  If you take a UK (left hand) car to Europe you also must have beam deflectors added to your head lamps.  This will help to prevent you from dazzling oncoming traffic.

General advice for you to follow when you arrive in Europe, is to take your time and get used to the differences in the car.  One of the things that will immediately impact you is the fact that you will need to use your mirrors differently, especially as the wing mirror you normally use to see if cars are coming up along side you, changes side.  If you have taken your own car to Europe, you will also need to get used to going round corners – as you road position has changed, and this means that you will need to practice positioning the car in the rights part of the road for the direction you want to turn (especially turning Left).  If you have a Right hand drive car, the first time you may well also find it takes you some time to get used to the gear stick being on the other side of you.  This can be got round by using an automatic car, but be warned, if you are not used to driving an automatic, it may well take some time for you to adjust to this as well.

If you are driving in Europe with your own car, remember to pay attention to the small print of you insurance and breakdown cover.  A lot of policies only give you 3^rd party cover in Europe, without paying extra (even if it says European cover on the policy, it may well only be 3^rd party).  Equally breakdown cover should not automatically be assumed to be equal to the UK version.  Replacement cars or taking you the rest of your journey are often not covered – or not in the same way as in the UK

The links and table below will take you to individual country advice sections.