Breakdown Cover Articles

FAQs for driving abroad

If you are planning a trip abroad and are planning on driving then it is important that you research the driving laws of that country and ensure that you understand what driving standards and requirements are placed upon you. Often the laws of the road are different to that of the UK, so to help you, listed below are six frequently asked question (FAQs) and answers to ensure you aren’t caught out.

1. Does my insurance cover my car abroad?

It is recommended that you always call your car insurance company before you travel abroad to see what type of cover you have and whether this covers you abroad. If you are travelling to a European country that is part of the EU and your car is insured third party or comprehensive then you can usually assume that you can legally drive in that country. However, EU law means that your car will have a minimum legal cover of third party in most European countries (regardless if you are fully comprehensive in the UK). This means that if you have an accident that is your fault, you are covered for the car that you had the accident with but your own car is not covered.

2. What car documentation should I take with me abroad?

The most important document to take is your driving licence both the photo-card as well as the paper counterpart that comes with the licence. It will also be important to take your insurance documents with you as well as your vehicle registration documents (V5).

3. What do I need to do if I have an accident or my car breaks down?

If you have an accident then this is often handled in the same way as it is in the UK. Therefore, you will need to take some details from the people who were involved in the accident. This will include getting their names, addresses and car registration numbers as well as the car type and model. Make sure that you exchange insurer details and that you phone your insurer as soon as possible regarding the accident. To mitigate and protect your car against any breakdown it is recommended that you take out European breakdown cover. This will ensure that help is available 24/7 in case of a breakdown which will give you total peace of mind. This type of cover will ensure that your car is repaired or rescued; or that a replacement car will be provided so that you can continue your journey.

4. Do I need to modify any elements on my car?

If you are driving in Europe then you need to modify your headlights to adjust the headlight beam to suit right-hand driving. This will ensure that other drivers are not dazzled by your car lights. Some cars can adjust their headlights automatically however there are simple converter kits that can be purchased to ensure that headlights are converted correctly.

5. Do I need any specific car kit or equipment?

There are a number of European countries that require certain pieces of safety equipment to be present in your car. Such items include a high visibility jacket or vest and reflective triangles in case your car breaks down. You should therefore check what equipment is required in the country you are driving in.

6. Do I need to display a GB sticker?

These days many cars have the GB euro-symbol on their registration plates. However, if this is not the case then you will need to buy and display the GB sticker on your car as it is a the law across the EU for you to do this.

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