Happy Holidays!

Yes, it’s that time of year again when the weather warms up (sometimes) and we start thinking about going on holiday. Probably one of the most exciting ways to take a vacation is the ‘do-it-yourself’ holiday. No advance bookings of flights, no anticipating a hotel full of people doing exactly the same thing as last year; just going your own way and the perfect way to do this is in your very own car.

It’s handy that the whole of Europe is just a short boat or train trip away. Plan your own route; book into out of the way camp sites or hotels and go as you please. It is, for the most part, the same currency everywhere too. First though, think about forward planning. Like everywhere else, European destinations have rules of the highways and byways and they can differ from country to country. Here are a few ideas to make life easier on the open Continental roads:

Forward Planning

Think of it as a military campaign; one that the whole family can enjoy. If you are planning on taking your car with you to get the maximum amount of freedom, there are certain things you need to check to ensure you have the best time away. It’s not hard. A bit of thought beforehand can make all the difference.

Your Car

We spend large sums of money on cars and we all know it make sense to look after them. That’s a given. It makes for happy motoring and for better resale value when the time comes for a change.

First and foremost; get your car fully serviced. Tell your local car servicing garage that you are driving abroad and ask for the usual service and have a check up done at the same time. One simple example might be to have the brake pads changed as an insurance against failure of the existing part-worn pads.

Your local professional garage will be happy to advise on what’s required for safe driving. These days, even if your car is relatively new, it isn't necessary to go to a main dealer either. There will be well-recommended garages nearby who may also be an approved MOT testing station. That way you know your car is being examined by properly trained personnel.

Papers Please

Gather together all the documents you think you’ll need. Passports (Yes, remember Britain is not in the EU). You will also need essential travel insurance details. You will require information about your car insurance to make sure you can prove you are fully covered in whatever country you are travelling to. Check with your provider. You should also ensure that you have your V5C vehicle registration documentation. Proof of ownership is sometimes required via this paper. Furthermore, if a vehicle is left following an accident or breakdown, the vehicle can’t be scrapped or repatriated by your breakdown provider without the V5C. 

Having all of these together, can help save time and reduce your stress should you be asked about it. It's also a great way to ensure you don't forget anything before you leave home. Note: Ensure that any documents are not getting near the expiry date; renewing early if necessary.

Know Before You Go

Many countries across Europe have different driving laws or etiquette than we do in the UK, notably driving on the ‘wrong side of the road’! The driver will need to remember that they will be sitting on the near side and that roundabouts go the other way. Tricky at first but the idea is quickly learned.

 

Checking the driving laws in and the road etiquette for each country before you go off will assist in driving safely abroad. Failing to know the driving laws in the European country you are heading to could rapidly increase your stress levels and have you accidentally committing a motoring mistake, or even breaking the law. Traffic police the whole world over are generally not a forgiving bunch.

 

Depending on where you are travelling to it’s certain that road signs will not be in English and of course speed limits will be in kilometres, so unless you are fluent in the appropriate language, try to ensure that signs can be recognised for what they are. It's important to double check what the legal driving limit is for alcohol and any prescription medication you may be taking. If you do take pills ask your GP for an authorising document as evidence.

 

The Road Ahead

Main Continental roads are mostly in good or excellent condition, often better than those in the UK. Side roads can be a different story but, as with any route you don’t know, the best solution is to slow down and remember, what you don’t want to do is to break down. That’s why a fully serviced and inspected car is probably the most important aspect of any holiday trip.