The summer holidays are almost upon us. For many, that means packing up the car - with luggage, children, maybe even a dog - and heading for that vast wilderness outside of Ireland that we collectively refer to as ‘abroad’.
Driving abroad is one of those things that we tend to build up too much in our heads. Thousands of ‘what ifs’ flood our brain - none of them positive - and before you know it we’re approaching it in much the same way soldiers must have felt before landing on the beaches of Normandy.
But like many things, the anticipated fear of driving in a different country is almost always a whole lot worse than the real thing. With our seven handy tips here, you can put your mind at ease and look forward to the holiday ahead.
7 Practical Tips for Confident Driving Across Europe
Set out on your European driving adventure with confidence. Whether manoeuvring through narrow lanes in historic city centres or cruising along dual carriageways, each drive is a journey into new cultures and landscapes.
As you prepare, consider these seven steps to ensure confident driving anywhere in Europe. Don't forget to verify your car insurance abroad to ensure you're fully covered under all circumstances. This will help you handle any unexpected situations smoothly.
1. Plan your Journey with Offline Maps and Road Trip Essentials
One of the biggest fears about driving in a different country is getting lost. The idea of pulling into a ramshackle village high in the Portuguese hills and trying to ask for directions doesn’t appeal to many.
Fortunately, with sat navs, Google Maps and other GPS tools, it’s pretty tricky to get lost while travelling anywhere in Europe - that is until you come to those alarmingly small roads that your AirBnB may or may not be down at the end of.
Before leaving, it’s worth planning out your route first and even downloading the offline map to your phone to use it even when the internet signal vanishes.
Also, ensure you have a paper map - yes one of those old-fashioned ones. Paper maps can often save the day if your phone runs out of battery or signals suddenly disappear.
2. Ensure Your Car is Roadworthy for European Roads
Another major fear concerns the dreaded nightmare of breaking down aboard and dealing with tow trucks and mechanics in a foreign language.
There’s not a lot you can do about bad luck. If something happens while you’re abroad that’s out of your control, well, that’s life. However, if you’ve left Ireland and your car is sputtering like an old man who’s smoked all his life, you're asking for trouble.
Before leaving the safe confines of the Emerald Isle, it’s imperative that you get your car serviced, and then check things like wiper blades, indicator lights, brake lights, tyres, oil and water just before departure.
Before you set off, it may be useful to have a local breakdown assistance phone number to hand while driving in Europe
3. Familiarise Yourself with Local Driving Regulations
It can be easy to assume that driving safety abroad is all the same, whether you’re in Ireland, Spain or Croatia, but in fact, driving laws around the world vary quite dramatically.
In France, for example, drivers must carry a high-visibility vest and an unused breathalyser kit in their vehicles, along with other items that most Europeans would never even think to have in their cars.
In Vienna and various other cities and towns across Europe, it's illegal to use your car horn, while in Finland, where the horn is seen for emergency use only, using it inappropriately could see you hit with a fine.
In Germany, it’s against the law to run out of fuel or pass on the right on the autobahn, while in Norway, you must keep your headlights on 24 hours a day, even in summer.
Most European nations recommend carrying a spare bulb kit which will allow you to change your headlamps in the event of a problem and in several countries, including Spain and France, you must carry this spare bulb kit by law.
4. Review Your Car Insurance Coverage
If your Car Insurance policy is with 123.ie, you will have the minimum level of coverage to drive in all EU countries. If you notify us before you travel we can provide full cover for 30 days free of charge. Talk to our customer care team if you are travelling for more than 30 days but more information on driving abroad can be found here.
If your insurance isn't with 123.ie, make sure to check your insurance policy or contact the provider to see if you are covered for driving in Europe and if so, how much coverage you have.
5. Review Your Car Insurance Coverage
When driving on European roads, motorists must use headlamp converters by law. This is because vehicles travel on the right-hand side - the opposite side of the road to Ireland and the UK - meaning motorists could dazzle oncoming traffic with headlights designed for Irish and British roads.
Fitting headlamp converters will reposition the angle of your beam, ensuring the safety of other road users and giving you the right visibility of the road ahead. They can be purchased before you go for as little as €9.99 and it’s certainly not uncommon for the police to pull over those not using them.
6. Monitor Your Speed and Local Traffic Laws
Most places you are travelling will have speed limits and it’s not uncommon for ‘on the spot’ fines to be handed out by local police officers.
On the Autobahn in Germany, there are large stretches that have no speed limit, allowing drivers to decide for themselves how fast to drive. Although there are no speed restrictions on parts, 130kph is recommended and the police still keep a careful watch out for dangerous drivers.
Driving on the Autobahn is an exhilarating experience, but keep an eye on the signs as you could quickly enter a section which has a speed limit.
7. Take It Slow and Adapt to Local Driving Conditions
It doesn’t matter how confident you normally feel driving in Ireland, using your car in a foreign country, especially one that requires you to drive on the opposite side of the road that you’re used to, can be unnerving.
It’s always a good idea to take things easy when you first begin. There’s no need to screech into that fast lane as quickly as you can, and an hour of getting your bearings can really settle any existing nerves.
Adapting to Local Driving Etiquette
Another factor to bear in mind is that driving safely abroad is sometimes very different to what you might be used to in Ireland. Drivers in Italy, for example, have a habit of driving like they’re in a Ferrari going around the famous Monza circuit, even if they’re in a Fiat 500 going through the streets of Milan.
Fast, and at times erratic driving can be daunting to be around, but it’s important to continue to drive in your own way and not get involved in anything you aren’t comfortable with.
Your Adventure Awaits
With these 7 essential tips, you’re now set to navigate the roads of European countries with ease and confidence.
Whether exploring city centres or cruising on dual carriageways, remember to adapt to local driving styles and road signs, and always have your travel insurance and vehicle registration documents handy.
So get out there and enjoy the journey and freedom of mastering driving in
Europe—your adventure awaits!
If you are travelling for more than 30 days abroad, don’t hesitate to contact our customer care team. They’ll be happy to guide you through all the necessary requirements and offer insightful safety tips to make the most of your journey.
