April 2008

 

 

 

 

Travelling in Europe

You’ve bought the motorhome. You’re packed and ready for that European tour you’ve 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:

Documents

If you are travelling within the EU, you will need:

• Passport

• Valid full driving licence – don’t 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 won’t 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.

Equipment

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 Union’s 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 do’s and don’ts