Safety Abroad

Driving a car abroad can be a daunting prospect as you will find the driving rules, regulations and local driving styles may differ to those in UK. Therefore, if you plan on driving a vehicle abroad, you should investigate the driving regulations and general driving information for your destination before you go away. Here you can find tips and information on how to safely drive a car abroad.

Drive like you would in the UK

The most important thing you should remember when you are abroad is to drive the vehicle with the same amount of care and concentration as you would when you are in the UK. Sometimes tourists become more relaxed while on holiday and completely disregard general driving rules that apply throughout the world. While you are away do not do anything you would not do while driving in your resident country.

Here are a few basic tips to remember when you drive abroad:

Abide by road signs and signals.
Wear a seatbelt regardless as to whether it is required by law in your location; wearing a seatbelt is for your own safety.
Be polite and respectful to other drivers.
Only park in a safe and legal location.
Appreciate driving styles may differ to driving styles in the UK.
Do not drive when you are tired and take regular breaks.
Do not use your phone while driving unless you have a hands-free product.
Make sure you can see out of the back window and do not overload your vehicle with luggage.
Do not drink and drive, some countries may have a lower alcohol limits than the UK or a zero tolerance for alcohol.
Never lose your temper while driving as you may become distracted and have an accident.
If you are involved in an accident whilst abroad you need to contact your insurer immediately and take any photos of the damage to your vehicle. The local police may need to be called.

Driving Your Own Car Abroad

Driving your own car abroad can be a cost effective way of viewing a country as you save money on hire cars and flights. However, when you drive your own car abroad remember the following information:

Adjust your vehicle: You may need to alter your vehicle to comply with different countries driving requirements. For example, you need headlight deflectors in France and snow tyres in the winter in Germany. If you are taking your own car abroad make sure that you have a GB sticker displayed clearly on the back of your car. It is your responsibility to properly equip your car when you are abroad. To check the vehicle requirements in your destination visit the www.fco.gov.uk. Even if it is not a requirement you should take an in car safety kit with you when driving abroad.

Documents: When you drive your own car abroad you may be required by law to carry your driving license, car insurance document, GB sticker, passport and V5 log book with you in your car. In some countries this is a legal requirement so make sure you have these with you just in case you are stopped by the police.Some countries insist you have an International Driving Permit to drive in their country. Click here to find out how you can get an International Driving Permit.

Insurance: You need to make sure that you have insurance that covers you to drive abroad and that breakdown cover and any medical expenses resulting from an accident are valid when you’re abroad.

Breakdown Recovery: You should purchase Breakdown Cover when you drive your car abroad. The AA offer European Breakdown Cover so you are covered for your driving period in an emergency. Take a look at our breakdown cover guide for more information on how to get covered when you’re driving on the continent.

Driving a Hire Car Abroad

When you go abroad you may find it useful to hire a car. If you do this you should hire from a reputable car hire company you know you can trust. Read our car hire page to find out more about hiring a car.

Remember to purchase and bring the following items when you hire a car abroad:

Insurance: If you are hiring a car abroad you may be offered a range of different additional insurance options which you can add to your rental at an additional fee. You should always pay that little bit more to insure your vehicle. You can buy additional car hire insurance from a specific car hire insurance provider. You need to make sure your insurance covers breakdown recovery and any possible medical expenses incurred from an accident.

Driving Licence: When you hire a car abroad you are usually asked to provide both the card driving license and the paper counterpart. You should carry these documents with you when you drive so that you have them ready if you are stopped by the police.

Driving Abroad Tips

When you are driving abroad you should remember that you may encounter a different driving experience to that of the UK. Here are a few tips you should bear in mind:

Driving Laws

All countries have different driving laws and regulations. What may be legal in the UK , may be illegal in other countries. Always familiarise yourself with these regulations before you go. You can usually find details about driving in your country destination in your destination’s guidebook or at the FCO.

Driving on the correct side of the road: The UK and Australia are 2 of the only countries who drive on the left hand side of the road. Most other countries around the world drive on the right hand side of the road and you need to be aware of this. Places where you may forget you are driving on the opposite side of the road are at roundabouts and crossings. Remember, always give way to the left at roundabouts and drive around roundabouts anti-clockwise.

Speeding: Be aware that the UK use mph for the speed limit signs, but in other countries they may use km/h, so make sure you know the speed limits.

Pedestrian Crossings: Around the world countries have different rules with regards to how you should react to pedestrian crossings. In some countries, drivers should always give way to pedestrians at crossings, while in others, it is up to the driver whether or not to give way. Always check what the rule is and keep an eye out for pedestrians stepping out into the road.

Driving Conditions

Parking: When you go away, you may be unfamiliar with your driving destination which may result in you leaving your car in unsavory locations which may be higher risk areas for car theft or damage. This is why it is good to read about your destination or check in your guidebook as to where the less desirable places to park your car are located. Also, use your gut feeling, if you do not feel safe parking your car in a specific location, park it somewhere else.

Parking in a more risky location also puts yourself in danger. Although a location may seem pleasant in the daylight, when you return to your car at night you may find you yourself are in danger from people who are in the area. Often tourists are seen as an easy touch for criminals making you a target for crime. Try and park in well lit public areas to avoid uncomfortable situations.

Only park in locations where it is legal to do so. Most countries abroad will clearly mark where you can and cannot park.

Damaged Roads: You may come across some roads when you are abroad that are poorer quality than those in the UK. In these situations you need to have your wits about you, drive carefully and drive slower than usual.

Driving Advice

Fuel: When you drive abroad do not forget to make sure you always have plenty of fuel. Try and locate fuel stations before you set off on a long journey to avoid breaking down.

Remember when you leave the fuel station to remain driving in the right hand lane in foreign countries. Often drivers forget to drive on the right hand side when driving in familiar situations such as leaving a fuel station.

Fuel abroad is usually just as expensive as fuel in the UK. Click here to find out how you can get more miles per gallon and save money driving abroad.

Carry a Map or Satellite Navigation Device: There is nothing worse than getting lost while driving, except getting lost while driving abroad. You should always make sure you plan your journey and know your route before you venture onto the road. However, it may be difficult to plan your journey when you are abroad as you are not familiar with your destination. Therefore, you should always carry a map with you in your car when you drive. You can also buy satellite navigation systems that work abroad to make it easier to navigate your journey. The most popular satellite navigation systems are:

TomTom offer a range of their own brand satellite navigation systems at different price points. If you plan on using your TomTom abroad you will need to make sure you purchase a TomTom device that covers your destination. On their website they list all the countries each different navigation system covers to make it easier for you to pick. You can buy TomTom devices to fit in your car or on your bike. They also have an iphone app. you can download so you have satellite navigation on your phone wherever you are.

Garmin also offer a range of their own satellite navigation systems at different prices so you have a selection to choose from. With Garmin you can purchase new maps and update your satellite navigation system so you can use your Garmin anywhere in the world. You can also add a traffic device to your Garmin so you never get caught in traffic again.

Driving Essentials

The following items may be essential when driving your own car abroad. In fact in some countries it is a legal requirement to have certain equipment in your car when driving:

	A red warning triangle (legal requirement in France)
	A GB sticker if your number plate does not already include this
	Yellow reflective jacket (legal requirement in France)
	A torch
	A detailed road map of your destination.
	Change for toll systems which operate throughout Europe.
	Your Driver’s License
	Spare tyre kit
	Headlamp converters for driving on the right hand side of the road to avoid dazzling other drivers at night.
	Car Insurance certificate and original vehicle registration document
	Spare Fuel

You should also carry your passport with you if you can as then you always know where it is. If you have an International Driver’s Permit you should also keep this on you while driving.

Whenever and wherever you drive, you should carry with you a car emergency kit in your car. This way you can be prepared for any type of emergency. Click here for more information.

Buying A Car Abroad

You should always be as careful buying a car abroad as you would buying a car in your home country. Make sure you check the car fully before you buy, ask for a test drive and double check it has up to date documents.