Whether you’re planning to take your car along with you on your holiday abroad, or rent a vehicle when you arrive at your destination, it’s important that you’re fully prepared for spending time on foreign roads. To help get you as prepared as possible, we’ve put together these top tips for driving abroad. So, read on to make your trip as hassle-free as possible.
Get used to the ‘wrong’ side of the road
Depending on where you’re jetting off to, your biggest source of stress behind the wheel might be getting used to driving on the ‘wrong’ side of the road.
Driving in the right-hand lane can be confusing at first, but you’ll quickly acclimatise if you follow a few simple rules. Firstly, stick to quiet roads whenever you can during the first few days of the trip, even if it prolongs your journey. This will give you a chance to build up your confidence and tackle the busier roads without breaking a sweat a few days into your holiday.
If you’re not sure which side of the road the country you’re heading to drives on, you can find out quickly and easily with whatsideoftheroad.com.
Make sure your insurance has you covered abroad
According to research by moneysupermarket, a third of Britons mistakenly assume their fully comprehensive car insurance will provide the same level of cover abroad. However, unbeknownst to many drivers, insurers tend to downgrade your policy to the minimum level of cover required by the country you’re visiting. Make sure to contact your car insurance provider before you leave and ask them what level of cover you’ll get abroad.
What’s more, a sure-fire way of spoiling your holiday is by breaking down on the side of a foreign road without any breakdown cover. When you’re shopping around for this safety net, make sure you take out a policy that covers you on European roads, such as the breakdown cover from MB&G Direct. This way, you won’t have to worry about spending your trip finding a garage that will make the repairs.
Get acquainted with your destination’s driving laws
Every country has its own driving laws, and you should make sure to read up on your destinations’ before heading off on holiday. This will allow you to take to the roads with complete confidence and ensure you don’t accidently break any laws on your travels.
While some driving laws will be hard to miss — which is the ‘right’ side of the road, for example — others are a bit less obvious. For example, it’s illegal to park against the direction of traffic in Italian cities, and it’s against the law to not have a breathalyser in your car in France.
Follow these three tips and your time on foreign roads is sure to be as stress-free as possible, which will help your trip to go smoothly.