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European Driving Checklist for British Drivers
This essential checklist will help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while away.
Info correct at time of posting.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
- Full, valid driving licence and national
Insurance number
- Proof of vehicle Insurance
- Proof of ID (passport)
- V5C Certificate
- Travel Insurance documents
- European Breakdown Cover policy number and documents
- Before you travel ensure your vehicle's tax and MOT are valid and up-to-date
- Crit'air sticker (If driving in France)
France has introduced 'Crit'air' (clean air) windscreen stickers as a legal requirement in some of its cities, to identify a vehicle's emissions levels and to, in some cases, restrict access in order to improve air quality.
British drivers heading to France are advised that driving without a French 'clean air' sticker, called a Crit'Air vignette – which costs as little as €5 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.
EQUIPMENT:
- Reflective jackets (there must be one for each passenger and be kept within the cabin of the car).
- Warning triangle (compulsory in most countries)
- Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you'll either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
- Breathalyser (compulsory in France)
- Safety helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers of motorcyclists and moped users
- GB car sticker (if you don't have a GB Euro number plate)
- First aid kit (compulsory in Austria, France and Germany)
OPTIONAL RECOMMENDED:
- Fire extinguisher
- Replacement bulbs
- A high quality torch
- Additional engine oil and water (for topping up)
- An up-to-date road map or satellite navigation system
- Photocopies of important documents
- European Health Insurance card
Useful information
- Drive carefully and cautiously - remember the local driving style may be very different to that of the UK.
- We recommend that you get your vehicle serviced/checked before making any long journey, but particularly if you are planning to drive to Europe.
- Don't forget most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road (the exceptions are: the UK, Irish Republic, Cyprus and Malta).
- You may be able to save time on your journey if you purchase a toll card in advance of travelling to France, Spain and Portugal. Follow this link for more information. www.saneftolling.co.uk
- Motorways in France are privately managed so law states that if you break down you must use the roadside emergency telephones or dial 112 as we cannot send out assistance. You'll be put through to the police or motorway services operators who'll send out a rescue company to come to your aid, if they dont then call your European Breakdown company number.
- You may have to pay labour and towing charges on the spot but we will cover these charges as long as the vehicle is towed to the recovery company's depot.
- On a motorway, if you have a breakdown, it is vitally important that you get all people out of the car immediately, put your high-vis jackets on and move to a safe position.
Travelling with children
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt or appropriate restraint.
Child car seats
Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel on the front seats of vehicles without using a special child restraint, unless there is no rear seat in the vehicle, or the rear seat is already occupied with children under 10, or there are no seat belts.
Unlike the UK the use of child car seats is not determined on height but on weight. Under French law, children up to the age of 10 or less than 1.4 metres tall must travel in an approved child seat or restraint.
Weight
Group 0: < 10 kg - Rear-facing child seat placed either at the front passenger seat or at the back seat (if placed at the front, the airbag must be switched off). Babies can also travel in a carry cot (this can be placed at the rear seat only).
Group 0+: < 13 kg - Child restraints in this category are slightly bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be installed under the same conditions as those in Group 0.
Group 1: 9 - 18 kg - Child seat with a harness or a protection tray.
Group 2: 15 - 25 kg - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt.
Group 3: 22 - 36 kg - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt.
This essential checklist will help you plan for your trip abroad and stay safe while away.
Info correct at time of posting.
IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS:
- Full, valid driving licence and national
Insurance number
- Proof of vehicle Insurance
- Proof of ID (passport)
- V5C Certificate
- Travel Insurance documents
- European Breakdown Cover policy number and documents
- Before you travel ensure your vehicle's tax and MOT are valid and up-to-date
- Crit'air sticker (If driving in France)
France has introduced 'Crit'air' (clean air) windscreen stickers as a legal requirement in some of its cities, to identify a vehicle's emissions levels and to, in some cases, restrict access in order to improve air quality.
British drivers heading to France are advised that driving without a French 'clean air' sticker, called a Crit'Air vignette – which costs as little as €5 – makes them culpable for an on-the-spot fine of up to £117.
EQUIPMENT:
- Reflective jackets (there must be one for each passenger and be kept within the cabin of the car).
- Warning triangle (compulsory in most countries)
- Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you'll either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
- Breathalyser (compulsory in France)
- Safety helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers of motorcyclists and moped users
- GB car sticker (if you don't have a GB Euro number plate)
- First aid kit (compulsory in Austria, France and Germany)
OPTIONAL RECOMMENDED:
- Fire extinguisher
- Replacement bulbs
- A high quality torch
- Additional engine oil and water (for topping up)
- An up-to-date road map or satellite navigation system
- Photocopies of important documents
- European Health Insurance card
Useful information
- Drive carefully and cautiously - remember the local driving style may be very different to that of the UK.
- We recommend that you get your vehicle serviced/checked before making any long journey, but particularly if you are planning to drive to Europe.
- Don't forget most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road (the exceptions are: the UK, Irish Republic, Cyprus and Malta).
- You may be able to save time on your journey if you purchase a toll card in advance of travelling to France, Spain and Portugal. Follow this link for more information. www.saneftolling.co.uk
- Motorways in France are privately managed so law states that if you break down you must use the roadside emergency telephones or dial 112 as we cannot send out assistance. You'll be put through to the police or motorway services operators who'll send out a rescue company to come to your aid, if they dont then call your European Breakdown company number.
- You may have to pay labour and towing charges on the spot but we will cover these charges as long as the vehicle is towed to the recovery company's depot.
- On a motorway, if you have a breakdown, it is vitally important that you get all people out of the car immediately, put your high-vis jackets on and move to a safe position.
Travelling with children
The driver of the vehicle is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under 18 are wearing a seat belt or appropriate restraint.
Child car seats
Children under the age of 10 are not allowed to travel on the front seats of vehicles without using a special child restraint, unless there is no rear seat in the vehicle, or the rear seat is already occupied with children under 10, or there are no seat belts.
Unlike the UK the use of child car seats is not determined on height but on weight. Under French law, children up to the age of 10 or less than 1.4 metres tall must travel in an approved child seat or restraint.
Weight
Group 0: < 10 kg - Rear-facing child seat placed either at the front passenger seat or at the back seat (if placed at the front, the airbag must be switched off). Babies can also travel in a carry cot (this can be placed at the rear seat only).
Group 0+: < 13 kg - Child restraints in this category are slightly bigger versions of those in Group 0. They must be installed under the same conditions as those in Group 0.
Group 1: 9 - 18 kg - Child seat with a harness or a protection tray.
Group 2: 15 - 25 kg - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt.
Group 3: 22 - 36 kg - Booster seat or cushion with an adult seatbelt.