Regulations and Requirements:

• Before you travel
  The items you are required to carry with you in your vehicle can vary from country to country. To help you prepare for your journey, visit www.rac.co.uk for a full guide to the requirements for every European destination
• European motoring kit
  Before starting your journey be sure to pack a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, headlamp beam reflectors and spare lamp bulbs. These are required by law in many countries and are advisable in any case. Note that in Spain, Turkey and Cyprus it is a legal requirement to carry two warning triangles. In Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia it is also a requirement for motorists to carry reflective jackets in their vehicles
• European Breakdown Cover and Travel Insurance
  To give you and your family total peace of mind when you are away it is advisable to take out RAC European Breakdown Cover and Travel Insurance
• Green card
  RAC strongly recommend that you obtain an International Motor Insurance Certificate (green card), from your motor insurer. It is important to check with your motor insurer or broker what cover you have abroad as a Green Card may not always be issued. Additionally you should take RAC European Breakdown Cover to protect your journey against motoring emergencies
• European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) form
  The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles UK residents who are travelling abroad to reduced cost, or sometimes free, medical treatment in a number of European countries. You will the EHIC form at the back of a leaflet called Health Advice for Travellers (Ref T6) which can be obtained from main post offices in the UK or by calling 0845 606 2030, or by visiting www.ehic.org.uk. You must produce this form if you or your family are taken ill or require treatment when you are abroad in European Economic Area Countries
• GB sticker
  UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-plates (circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background) are no longer obliged to affix a GB sticker to the rear of the vehicle when driving in European Union countries. However, a GB sticker is still required on the rear of any UK registered motor vehicle, caravan or trailer when driving in non-European Union countries. One is included in your RAC European Breakdown Cover documents
• Camping Card International
  If you intend to spend some of your holiday camping or caravanning we strongly recommend that you obtain a Camping Card International. Issued to RAC Members for just £6.50 the Card is valid in the year of issue and is compulsory in Denmark and accepted as ID in lieu of a passport at most European sites. It also provides Third Party Liability insurance of up to 2,500,000 Swiss Francs and entitles the holder to special discounts at sites and tourist attractions in many countries
• International Driving Permit
  In addition to your current full UK Driving Licence, you will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to allow you to drive in certain countries. An International Driving Permit is internationally recognised and normally allows the holder to drive a private motor vehicle without additional formality. You can check individual country requirements at www.rac.co.uk
• Vehicle On Hire Certificate
  Wherever you need to drive in Europe it is mandatory to carry the original Vehicle Registration Document. If you cannot obtain the original you will need a letter of authority from the owner and a Vehicle on Hire Certificate (VE103B) instead. This is especially important if you are driving a hired or leased vehicle. Vehicle on Hire Certificates can be obtained from RAC for just £6.00
• Passport or visa
  Check that all members of your party have a full 10 year passport which is valid for the full period of your journey. If you are visiting Bulgaria or Romania and hold a UK passport you will also need a visa
• Special requirements for vehicles with over 9 seats
  Drivers must be at least 21 years old and have a full year's car driving experience. Special documents and tachographs are mandatory throughout the EU. For more information contact your local Department of Transport Area Office for details
• Customs regulations regarding cars
  The vehicle must be for your personal use and not be left abroad, lent or hired to anyone else, sold or otherwise disposed of, without consent from the Customs Authority of the country you are visiting. Furthermore, the vehicle can remain in the country visited for a maximum of 6 months (12 months in some countries)
• Taking boats abroad
  You should obtain a Certificate of Registration when temporarily importing a boat into Europe. Available from the Small Ships register, PO Box 165, Cardiff, CF14 5SH, telephone 029 20 44 88 00. It covers vessels under 24 metres long

Your vehicle:

• Headlamps – these may need adjusting for driving on the right, in order to avoid dazzling oncoming motorists. Failure to do this could result in a fine. Check in with a dealer for your make of vehicle in good time before you travel. For some vehicles, headlamp beam reflectors may be adequate, but sometimes a manual adjustment may be necessary
• Check that tyres are legal. Most countries have the same tread-depth requirements as the UK (1.6mm minimum) but don’t let your tyres get close to the limit before considering changing them
• Make sure your vehicle is fully serviced to minimise the chances of breaking down and to avoid potentially expensive repair costs when abroad
• Don’t overload your vehicle – as well as being unsafe, you could incur a fine
• Speed-trap radar detection devices are illegal in many countries. Possession of such devices, even if they are not set up in the vehicle, can lead to fines, confiscation even imprisonment

General advice for travellers

Before you go:

• Plan your route carefully before you travel. RAC has a useful route planner for European journeys – visit www.rac.co.uk
• Check www.dh.gov.uk/travellers for general medical and country advice, and ask your GP at least six weeks in advance about any vaccinations you need
• Tell someone where you’re going, when you’re coming back and your contact details abroad
• Take a credit card. Should you require a replacement vehicle whilst you are abroad, many companies will not provide you with one if are not carrying a recognised card. It also makes sense to carry one for peace of mind if your cash is lost or stolen

While you’re there:

• Keep thinking right – it can be easy to forget to drive on the right side of the road, particularly when starting your journey
• Find out what the speed limits are for the country you are visiting, and stick to them. Heavy fines can be imposed for motorists who break the limits, in some cases payable on the spot
• Remember never to use a mobile phone whilst driving – as well as being a dangerous habit, it is illegal in many European countries
• Be aware of security and take sensible precautions, such as not leaving valuables unattended in your vehicle
• Touch base with your family and friends in the UK, especially if you’re travelling alone, in a remote area or if any serious incidents occur
• Respect local customs and keep to local laws. Travel guidebooks, tour operators and hotel staff are all useful sources of information
• Follow any health advice you received before travelling, plus take the usual sensible precautions such as applying sunscreen and drinking plenty of fluids

For further information contact:

RAC Press office
Jon Day

Telephone: 01603 681914
jon.day@aviva.co.uk

Updated August 2007

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