First Road Trip to Europe

[idej_z4]

Next week I'm taking the Z on its first road trip to Europe. Our final resting spot will be Brussels. We're going from Dover to Dunkirk.

As I've never taken my own car out of the UK, I was wondering if anyone had any tips or advice for driving in Europe. I've already bought the mandatory breathalyser.

Also wondering if anyone has any tips for roads / routes based on where I'm landing and heading.

Thanks in advance!

 

[buzyg]

Can't really help out with routes. Been a few years since I was driving in Europe. Seem to recall all the good roads were the other side of Brussels to be honest. Hopefully someone will be along to refute that any minute. Have a great road trip.

 

[Chris_D]

Belgian drivers suck bananas! ( apart from franzino if he's reading this )
Careful at intersections as right of way is for those emerging tfrom your right, even though you may be on a more major road. There will be white lines denoting give way junctions and if not, yield.

 

[NickDE]

There's a lot of good advice out on the internet. It's worth checking out the main 'Highway Code' rules of the countries you will drive in before you go. I have had many experiences of meeting a road sign or road markings that I initially had no clue how to interpret (like dragon's teeth in The Netherlands).
My favourite tips:
- If you have a TomTom/Garmin etc, reset it to display in KM - helps with distances, and much easier to control your speed than using the small kmh numbers on the speedo
- Remember to drive on the other side of the road. The locals appreciate your consideration.
- Enjoy the trip, you will have a great experience to remember

 

[Kingfisher]

Breathalysers aren't mandatory ... yellow waistcoats are. I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

 

[Chris_D]

I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

try that theory out over here in Holland. i dare you.

 

[Kingfisher]

I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

try that theory out over here in Holland. i dare you.

That must be for bicycles in Holland surely? ... ... slam your brakes on for someone coming in from the right in France and you'll get the back end written off ... tailgating is a national sport! ...

 

[Chris_D]

I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

try that theory out over here in Holland. i dare you.

That must be for bicycles in Holland surely? ... ... slam your brakes on for someone coming in from the right in France and you'll get the back end written off ... tailgating is a national sport! ...

Nope, for everything. If theres no white lines on the road coming from the right then they have right of way. And people just pull out of a smaller road without even looking left. Bonkers. But that's the dutchies for ya! Noses in the air until tragedy strikes :roll:

 

[idej_z4]

Breathalysers aren't mandatory ... yellow waistcoats are. I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

Thanks for the heads up!

 

[Number5]

To simplify things;
- Carry a spare bulb kit
- Carry two breathylisers
- Carry a warning triangle
- Carry your V5, Insurance & MOT Cert (I take colour copies)
- Advise your insurance company of your travel dates
- Check on or add European breakdown cover (if you wish)
- The Hi-Viz waistcoat must be in the car, where you can reach it before exiting - not in the boot.

I believe you are subject to on the spot traffic fines, but speeding tickets by unmanned cameras dont come through later, as they do in the UK.

 

[Lance]

Spare bulbs are not mandatory.

 

[idej_z4]

To simplify things;
- Carry a spare bulb kit
- Carry two breathylisers
- Carry a warning triangle
- Carry your V5, Insurance & MOT Cert (I take colour copies)
- Advise your insurance company of your travel dates
- Check on or add European breakdown cover (if you wish)
- The Hi-Viz waistcoat must be in the car, where you can reach it before exiting - not in the boot.

I believe you are subject to on the spot traffic fines, but speeding tickets by unmanned cameras dont come through later, as they do in the UK.

Handy checklist! Cheers!

 

[NickDE]

I think the priority right rule went out in the 60s.

try that theory out over here in Holland. i dare you.

That must be for bicycles in Holland surely? ... ... slam your brakes on for someone coming in from the right in France and you'll get the back end written off ... tailgating is a national sport! ...

Bicycles in Holland live in a parallel universe when it comes to road laws or even customs. Very liberating if you're the cyclist, scary as a car driver.

 

[Pastry]

Spare bulbs are not mandatory.

I'm pretty sure they are mandatory and carry a max fine of €80 if you don't carry them

 

[Lance]

Spare bulbs are not mandatory.

I'm pretty sure they are mandatory and carry a max fine of €80 if you don't carry them

They're not required, just something that seems to get repeated time and time again.

Here's a list of European requirements - https://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/touring-tips/compulsory-equipment.pdf?la=en

 

[idej_z4]

Spare bulbs are not mandatory.

I'm pretty sure they are mandatory and carry a max fine of €80 if you don't carry them

They're not required, just something that seems to get repeated time and time again.

Here's a list of European requirements - https://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/touring-tips/compulsory-equipment.pdf?la=en

Thanks for this - didn't know about the V5 thing!

 

[Pastry]

Spare bulbs are not mandatory.

I'm pretty sure they are mandatory and carry a max fine of €80 if you don't carry them

They're not required, just something that seems to get repeated time and time again.

Here's a list of European requirements - https://www.theaa.com/~/media/the-aa/pdf/touring-tips/compulsory-equipment.pdf?la=en

Well I never! I've been taking a spare bulb kit for 9yrs! That said it was the same BMW kit but I went I 5 different cars