How To Guide European Road Trip Preparation Guide

Allan Whittles said:
i went that route myself via rotterdam and no breath test must have been a lucky sailing maybe do random stops.
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Having done that route 7 or 8 times tests were random (less than 1 in 10) on every previous crossing. No one escaped the test in May though. Possibly it's random crossings now rather than random vehicles.

Certainly NOT worth the risk.
 
Chipper3 said:
Having done that route 7 or 8 times tests were random (less than 1 in 10) on every previous crossing. No one escaped the test in May though. Possibly it's random crossings now rather than random vehicles.

Certainly NOT worth the risk.
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agree
 
Good link thank you
 
Just a short note to update everyone on EU Travel - things to remember :-

How to travel to EU - checklist

  • Passport ( must have min 6 month left )
  • International Driving Permit * ( IDP ) get from Post Office (Not required in Ireland)
  • Plastic Driving License
  • Health Insurance Card – Global Health Ins Card
  • Personal / family Travel Insurance
  • Copy of Car Insurance
  • Copy of car log book / owners cert or VE103b if a leased car
  • Breakdown Cover
  • Green Card
  • GB sticker ( cover up EU on number plates )
  • Headlight beam deflectors ( for driving on RHS) not Ireland
  • Paper Map of area to travel through.
  • Full EU Driving Kit
  • Warning Triangle
  • Universal Bulb replacement Kit
  • Hi Vis ( for each passenger and must be accessible - not under luggage in boot)
  • First Aid Kit
  • AA – EU Drivers Handbook
  • Breathalyser tests ( EU spec )
  • Torch
  • Fire Extinguisher (not all countries)
  • Spare set of keys
Also suggestions

Small tool kit – pliers, screwdriver, adjustable spanner, insulation tape, penknife, etc

Sat Nav - TomTom Garmin etc

List of Contact Names / addresses / phone numbers / insurance & hotels etc

Note – to use correct path at Customs checkpoint – use “UK Customs” only

Currency – Euros - for use at service stations / toll roads / café

And most importantly - Sun glasses and Sun Cream

* Note for IDP = £5.50 from Post Office - need to show Passport and UK License and provide a Passport photo.
 
And if you are carrying prescription medications - a list of said meds from your doctor/pharmacist and they should be in their original packaging.
 
I think you'll find your V5 has to be the original not a copy, Germany & Austria will definitely get snooty with a copy, though the chances of being asked for it is slim.
 

Attachments

Remember that in France many of the old leaded petrol ppumps have been repurposed to supply paraffin, which is labelled as 'Petrole.'
Avoid le Petrole s.webp
 
Chipper3 said:
As I can see from the numerous posts and topics, many of you undertake European road trips in your Zeds, me too.

I know it can be a little confusing as to what you are legally required to take with you in terms of warning triangles, hi-viz vests, bulb kits, paperwork even breathalysers, etc so I've attached a guide obtained from a Jaguar website that I found very useful and informative for my recent trips.

Feel free to use the info within it to hopefully stop you falling foul of some of the strange laws and requirements of the European countries and to help prevent you picking up nasty, costly local fines.

Colin.

EDIT: Attached PDF file to the thread directly as previous dropbox links kept changing. Gaz
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For a road trip in Europe, you will definitely need a car. In my experience, it is better to rent a car at airports. So you will save money and be sure of the quality of the car. When I was in Mallorca I also rented a car for a few days and it really helped me to feel comfortable and at ease on the island see more information
 
jessmilligann said:
For a road trip in Europe, you will definitely need a car. In my experience, it is better to rent a car at airports. So you will save money and be sure of the quality of the car. When I was in Mallorca I also rented a car for a few days and it really helped me to feel comfortable and at ease on the island see more information
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A rental car may be OK but you can't beat a trip through the Alps in a Zed.
 
Funny! I went on a driving trip around France (August 2022, Dordogne) and I did none of that. I refuse to change my GB (UK, really?) sticker; didn't cover the EU sign on my number plate; no IDP. Nobody bothered to challenge any of that.

Not the Z3, so the Mercedes had automatic light adjustment (no need for beam deflectors), but pretty much else on the list kind of covered.

I suppose it's just that the French are not particularly interested in enforcement… ;)
 
Mus Musculus said:
Funny! I went on a driving trip around France (August 2022, Dordogne) and I did none of that. I refuse to change my GB (UK, really?) sticker; didn't cover the EU sign on my number plate; no IDP. Nobody bothered to challenge any of that.

Not the Z3, so the Mercedes had automatic light adjustment (no need for beam deflectors), but pretty much else on the list kind of covered.

I suppose it's just that the French are not particularly interested in enforcement… ;)
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You rebel. I'd stick to France, try being a smart-arse in the Germanic counties and you may get a Heckler & Koch stuck in your right ear. :happy:
 
Hi
Anyone got any further advice for European road trips?
We are going to Spain and France in June. I have driven plenty in Europe but things do move on.

I see that a V16 emergency lamp is now a requirement in Spain and France requires an Air Crit certificate.

Cheers David
 
David62 said:
...but things do move on.
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More and more restrictions on the roads, much more traffic & radar cams.

France got a general speed limit of 80 Km/h on country roads, if not explicitely limited.
David62 said:
I see that a V16 emergency lamp is now a requirement in Spain
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AFAIK only for cars registered in SPAIN, not for tourists.
www.auto-motor-und-sport.de

V16-Warnleuchte in Spanien 2026 vorgeschrieben: Das müssen deutsche Autofahrer beachten

Ab dem 1. Januar 2026 ersetzt in Spanien die neue Warnleuchte V16 das klassische Warndreieck. In vielen Berichten wird derzeit behauptet, auch ausländische Autofahrer müssten die V16 künftig mitführen. Diese Meldungen sind falsch.
www.auto-motor-und-sport.de www.auto-motor-und-sport.de

David62 said:
...and France requires an Air Crit certificate.
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AFAIK only when driving into bigger cities. Has to be preordered, the process takes some weeks.
 
I have noticed that since we escaped the EU, if you set off a speed camera in france you do not get a letter. Previously, I have had a fine from France, only peanuts though.
 
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I have just ordered Air Crit certificate and it says one week plus postage time...

Further research reveals V16 lamp is not compulsory for foreign cars in Spain but is advised.
 
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