DRIVING
ABROAD
-
Source FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Don't
drive abroad unprepared - read our advice on insurance,
breakdown cover, accidents and car hire. We've also
got tips for motorbike drivers, things to look out for
if you're a pedestrian abroad and advice on bus and
coach travel.
Driving
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!
- See
the FCO travel
advice by country for more information on driving.
- 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.
Don't
go without taking:
- A
spare set of car keys
- Fire
extinguisher, first aid kit, tool kit, spare bulbs
a warning triangle
- Your
registration document, driving licence and passport-
check if you'll need an International Driving Permit
- Your
UK motor insurance certificate, Green Card (if issued)
- Breakdown
policy and contact numbers
- Travel
insurance documents
- Emergency
helpline numbers
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 to
- 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 insurer
immediately and take photographs of damage to your
vehicle
Driving
you 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.
Hiring
a vehicle:
- Hire
from a reputable company - the cheapest deal may
not always be the best!
- Insurance
cover is often limited to the legal minimum
of the country or state you hire in. You could be
held personally responsible for any claim for injury
or damage over this limit.
- Ask
your tour operator or insurer if they can provide
top-up
insurance to increase your cover. This may be
cheaper than buying it abroad.
Motorbikes:
-
Make
sure your travel
insurance covers you before you decide to drive
or be a passenger on a motorbike
- check the exclusions carefully
-
Travelling
by motorcycle, scooter or moped is significantly
more dangerous than by car - if you're not accustomed
to riding a motorcycle you should not attempt to
ride one for the first time abroad on unfamiliar
roads
-
If
you do decide to hire a motorcycle or scooter, make
sure you use a reputable hire company - check that
they are licensed to hire bikes to tourists
-
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
-
If
you hire quad
bikes check your travel insurance covers you
for their use. Only hire them from a reputable company
and find out whether it's legal to ride them on
the public road
-
Ensure
your insurance includes third party cover
Pedestrians:
-
Wear
light coloured clothing when walking at night so
that you're clearly visible to drivers
-
Don't
assume drivers will stop at zebra crossings
-
Jay-walking
is illegal in many countries - always cross at designated
points
-
Face
the oncoming traffic when walking along the roadside
- this way you will be able to see vehicles approaching
you.
Bus
and Coaches:
If
you have concerns over the safety of the vehicle don't
get on and inform the tour rep or organiser. You should
always wear a seatbelt if one is available and avoid
travelling in overcrowded vehicles.
Source FCO - Foreign and Commonwealth Office ? Crown
copyright 2007 - jml Property Services hold a Core Licence
C02W00008738
Reflective
Vests and warning Triangles:
A reflective vest is complusory in France,
Italy, Belgium and Spain - In Spain you must carry reflective
vests for all occupants. You must also carry two warning
triangles in Spain, most other countries one.
Driving
in France:
General
Driving Tips (some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos) Speed
limits :
Built-up-areas: 31mph/50kmh outside towns: 56mph/90kmh
priority roads and toll-free motorways: 68mph/110kmh
toll motorways: 81mph/130kmh
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
Traffic
on major roads has priority. Where two major roads cross,
traffic coming from the right has priority as warned
by the sign 'danger priorit? ? droite'. Where there
is no sign, give way to the right.
Traffic
on a roundabout has priority and signs saying 'cedez
le passage' or 'vous n'avez pas la priorit?'. In some
areas the old rule of traffic entering roundabouts having
priority applies so be cautious where there are no signs
If
a driver flashes his headlights in France, he is generally
indicating that he has priority and you should give
way. This can be confusing as in the UK it usually indicates
that a car is usually indicates that a car is letting
you out.
Stopping
for someone waiting at a zebra crossing is a fineable
offence for holding up traffic. The crossings indicate
where is best to cross.
Do
not overtake a tram when it is stationary with passengers
alighting or boarding.
Traffic
lights don't show amber after red. Flashing amber means
continue with caution.
It
is compulsory for front and rear seat occupants to wear
seat belts if fitted.
Carrying
hazard warning lights or a warning triangle is compulsory.
It is recommended that visitors equip their vehicle
with replacement bulbs. From July 2008 A reflective
vest is also complusory (like in Italy Belgium and Spain
- In Spain you must carry reflective vests for all occupants).
Driving
in Britain
General
Driving Tips (Some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos) Speed
limits :
Built-up areas: 30 mph single carriage ways: 60 mph
dual carriage ways: 70 mph motorways: 70 mph.
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
Drive
on the left and only overtake vehicles on the right.
At
roundabouts, traffic coming from the right has priority.
Make
sure you understand about double and single yellow line.
parking.
It
is illegal to use a hand-held mobile when driving.
As
long as you hold a full licence in your own country
and have done so for at least a year, you can drive
on British roads.
Motorways
are shown by 'M' plus a number on signs. There are no
toll charges to pay on British motorways except the
M4 Severn Bridge into Wales, the Humber Bridge near
Hull, the M25 Dartford Tunnel and part of the M6 (north
of Birmingham).
Try
and avoid the M25 'London Orbital ' and the M5/M6 in
Birmingham during rush hour times (0800-0930 and 1630-1800)
as these can be extremely busy
Driving
in Ireland
Drive
on the LEFT
Seat
Belts:These must be worn at all times in the
front and back of vehicles.
Mobile
phones: It is illegal to drive a vehicle or motorbike
whilst using a hand held mobile phone. Since September
2006 drivers caught using their mobile phones in a car.
or about to use them face an automatic 60 fine and two
penalty points on the driving licence. If the person
does not pay the fine within twenty eight days the fine
can be increased to up to 2,000 and penalty pointd doubled
to four.
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
Foglights
must only be used in fog or falling snow.
You
must not use a horn between 11pm and 7am.
The
'give way' signs are red triangles with the point at
the bottom and the words 'yield right of way' or 'geill
sli'.
Driving
in Spain
General
Driving Tips (Some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos)
Driving:
Drive on the RIGHT
Speed
limits : Towns: 31 mph/50kmh, outside built up areas:
56-62mph/90-100 kmh, motorways: 74mph/120kmh
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
On
uneven (odd) dates in one-way streets in towns, vehicles
should be parked on the side of the road where the houses
bear uneven numbers. On the side where houses bear an
even number, parking is allowed on these dates.
Drivers
in Spain who wear glasses must carry a spare pair with
them at all times.
Motorists
must carry a set of replacement bulbs.
Reflective
vests are also complusory (like in France, Belgium and
Italy) - In Spain you must carry reflective vests for
all occupants).
You
must also carry two warning triangles.
Stationary
trams may not be overtaken when passengers are boarding
or alighting.
Outside
built-up areas, signal your intention to overtake by
sounding your horn in the daytime or by flashing headlights
at night.
It
is compulsory for front and rear seat occupants to wear
seat belts if fitted.
Driving
in Italy
General
Driving Tips (Some information supplied by Holiday
Autos)
Driving:
Drive on the RIGHT
Speed
limits :Built-up-areas:
31mph (50kmh), outside built-up areas on secondary roads:
55mph (90kmh), main roads 68mph (110kmh), motorways:
80mph (130kmh).
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
A
reflective vest is also complusory (like in France,
Belgium and Spain).
Take
care in city city centres like Florence and Rome. There
are now charges for non authorised vehicles - similar
idea to London congestion charge and because of inter-European
co-operation the fines can be sent to the owners home,
so foreign registrations will not help.
It
is compulsory to use vehicle lights half an hour after
sunset until half an hour before sunrise.
On
three-lane roads, the middle lane is reserved for overtaking.
No full beam lights allowed in built-up areas.
Driving
in Greece
General
Driving Tips (Some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos)
Driving:
Drive
on the RIGHT
Speed
limits :Built-up areas: 50kmh/31mph major roads outside
towns: 80kmh/50mph major roads outside towns:100kmh/62
mph).
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
It is compulsory to carry a first aid kit, fire extinguisher
and warning triangle.
It
is illegal to carry a can of petrol in a vehicle.
It
is illegal to use a horn at any time in towns apart
from warning of danger.
A
motor vehicle parked at night on a public road must
have the rear red light clearly illuminated.
Few
petrol stations will accept credit cards.
Another
car flashing its headlights at you generally means 'move
over, I'm coming through'
Driving
in Malta
General
Driving Tips (Some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos)
In
Malta,driving is on the left. There are speed limits
of 64 kph on the open road and 40 kph in built- up areas.
Comprehensive insurance is advisable. National or international
driving licences accepted.
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws.
It
is compulsory to carry a warning triangle.
Seat
belts are compulsory in the front and, if fitted, in
the rear.
Driving
in Belgium
General
Driving Tips (Some of this information supplied by Holiday
Autos)
Vehicles
drive on the RIGHT and overtake on the left.
Speed
limits Built-up areas: 50kmh/31mph major roads outside
towns: 90kmh/56mph motorways: 120kmh/74mph
Drink
and driving: See
Drink Drive Laws
A
'blue zone' parking system operates in major towns.
Discs are available from police, garages and tobacconists.
Seat
belts are compulsory in both the front and rear
It
is compulsory to carry a warning triangle.
Reflective
vests are also complusory
Dipped
headlights should be used between dusk and dawn.
Driving
on side lights only is illegal.
Motoring
offences attract an on-the-spot fine. An official receipt
should be issued.
Do
not park within 50 feet (15m) of a bus, tram or trolleybus
stop or in the immediate vicinity of train and tram
lines crossing the road.
Traffic
entering roundabouts has priority except where signs
say 'cedez le passage' or 'vous n'avez pas la priorit?',
where the traffic on the roundabout has priority
Please
note that the above information should not be relied
on for accuracy as regulations are constantly changing
in the countries quoted
There
are an excellent selection of Driving Guides at the
insurance4carrental.com site
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