April 2008
Youve bought the motorhome. Youre packed and ready for that
European tour youve been promising yourself. But before you go, make sure you
have all the relevant documents and other items you will need to make sure you
stay safe and within the law while travelling.
Here is a checklist that might help:
If you are travelling within the EU, you will need:
Passport
Valid full driving licence dont forget the paper counterpart if you have a
photocard licence. All EU countries should accept a UK driving licence. However,
in Spain, Italy and Portugal in particular, if you still have an older style
paper licence you should either update this to a photocard before you go, or
obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP). This will cost you £5.50 and you
can get an application form from the post office. You will need to check which
type of IDP you need (depending on where you are going) and the AA also has a helpful
list on its website at
www.theaa.com.
Vehicle Registration document - if you are hiring or leasing a motorhome, you
should ask the leasing company for a vehicle or hire certificate. If you are
borrowing a vehicle the registered keeper can give you a letter of authority.
Insurance certificate contact your insurer before taking a vehicle overseas
to ensure your cover is adequate and up to date and that you have the documents
you need to prove it. If you are unlucky enough to be involved in an accident
while travelling abroad, your insurer probably provides a 24-hour UK-based
emergency helpline that you can call for advice etc. Make sure you take the
details with you and keep them in a safe place.
Green card - if you are travelling to Bulgaria, Poland, Romania or Turkey you
will need a Green Card. This is an internationally recognised document that
proves you are insured to drive in the country you are visiting. You wont need
one in other European countries if you have your insurance certificate with you.
However, if you are planning a long trip, you may want to get one from your
insurer anyway. If you are involved in an accident while travelling abroad your
Green Card is easily recognisable proof that you have third party insurance,
Breakdown cover make sure you have the right level of cover for the
countries you are visiting. Your insurer or motoring organisations such as the
AA, RAC or Green Flag can offer advice on what you might need.
Different countries have different rules about the equipment
that drivers must carry with them in their vehicle in case of emergency or a
breakdown. In the following countries, as well as the documents listed above,
the following items are either compulsory or recommended:
Austria
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has Europlates, ie with the GB Euro symbol),
warning triangle
Reflective jacket
First aid kit
Belgium
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has Europlates),
warning triangle
Reflective jacket for the driver. This must be worn if you have to get out of
your vehicle on a motorway or major road
First aid kit (recommended)
Fire extinguisher (recommended)
Croatia
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has Europlates),
warning triangle (two are needed if you are towing a trailer)
Reflective jackets for the driver and at least one passenger. These must be
worn if you have to get out of the vehicle in an emergency.
First aid kit
Spare bulbs for headlights
Denmark
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has Europlates),
warning triangle
First aid kit (recommended)
Fire extinguisher (recommended)
France
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has Europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
Reflective jacket (recommended)
Germany
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
First aid kit (recommended)
Ireland
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (compulsory for vehicles with an unladen weight of 1524 kg)
Italy
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle
Reflective jackets for the driver and at least one passenger. These must be
worn if driver/passengers gets out of a vehicle on the highway at night or in
poor visibility.
The Netherlands
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
Norway
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
Reflective jackets (recommended)
First aid kit (recommended)
Fire extinguisher (recommended)
Portugal
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
Reflective jackets for the driver and at least one passenger
Spain
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
Two warning triangles
Reflective jackets for the driver and at least one passenger. These must be
worn if you get out of your vehicle on a motorway or busy road.
Spare bulbs for headlights and the tools to change them must be carried at all
times
Sweden
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle (recommended)
First aid kit (recommended)
Fire extinguisher (recommended)
Switzerland
GB sticker (unless your vehicle has europlates),
warning triangle
Headlamp adjustment is compulsory across mainland Europe although not in
Ireland - and you are recommended to use dipped headlights when driving during
the day.
More detailed information about travelling in each of the countries listed above
is available to download from the AA web site at:
www.theaa.com
Travel insurance
The European Health Insurance Card or EHIC, replaced the old E111 form in
January 2006, which provided reciprocal healthcare for UK nationals in mainland
Europe. E111 forms are no longer valid and you should ensure that you have a
EHIC before you travel.
However, even with an EHIC, you should still arrange your own travel insurance
as EU countries will not necessarily pay the full cost of medical treatment,
even under the European Unions healthcare arrangements.
Your EHIC is valid in the European Economic Area (that is all 25 members of the
EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland. If you one of your
family needs medical attention while you are away, treatment will be generally
be provided free or at reduced-cost id you can produce a valid EHIC. Private
treatment is not normally covered and state-provided treatment may not cover all
of the things that you would expect to receive free of charge from the NHS.
You can get an EHIC free of charge by filling in the form Health Advice for
Travellers (HAFT available at most Post Offices or by telephoning 08701 555
455.
And finally...
Some suggested dos and donts
Do wear your seat belt and keep children strapped into a suitable car seat at all times
Do take a spare pair of glasses with you if you need them for driving
Do be aware of local speed limits
Do take your keys with you when you go to pay for petrol
Dont leave your insurance and vehicle registration documents etc in your motorhome
Dont drink and drive this is illegal everywhere and may carry a stiff penalty
Dont use your mobile while driving