Driving across Europe

JamBur

My wife and I are doing a drive across Europe in a few weeks time. France, Italy, Hungary, Romania on the way out, and , Austria, Germany, France on the way back. We've done something similar years ago.

My question is in relation to documents required. According to the AA, I need
Driving licence..... ok
Insurance cert..... ok
Inform insurer.... ok
Passport...... ok
Travel insurance docs... ok
DVLA driver record and a licence check code if needed..... do we have anything like that here?

Last time, I just had my insurance, vlc and passport, then jumped in the ferry.

coylemj

The AA tend to go overboard with their recommendations for driving in Europe. If you're driving in the EU, any regular Irish policy will cover you and you do not need to inform them in advance. The 'DVLA' is the UK driving licence crowd in Swansea, I can't see the relevance of anything they do for tourists, your Irish driving licence will see you right.

'Travel insurance docs'?

It's always wise to have a travel insurance policy but are you going to get grief from the cops in any of those countries if you can't produce a 'travel insurance doc'? No, you will not, it's none of their business. What you read was just a subtle way of the AA reminding you that you can buy travel insurance from them.

It's no harm to wear the hat of a cynic when taking advice from a company whose business is selling products (international driving licences) and services (travel insurance) to travellers.

Despite the image they portray, the AA long ago ceased to be an organisation with the interest of motorists at heart, they exist to make money.

munchkin_utd

the one thing you'll need is a copy of the cars registration documents to prove you own it. The police will ask for that along with your driving licence, and not for insurance or other stuff which they presume you will have

In many european countries you need the reflective vests and have them in the car with you. Similarily, you'll need a breakdown triangle and have it easy to get (i.e. NOT with your spare under your bags)

For Hungary/ Romania / austria you'll need to buy a motorway sticker which can be bought coming up to the border. The fine for not having one is €1500 or something in Austria, so you really shouldnt neglect it. Being a stupid tourist is also not an excuse, as these countries have so much foreign through traffic that they cannot make exceptions.

I'd also not be happy driving on a long trip without breakdown cover, but this might be in your travel insurance (or maybe not!).
I've had to use it twice abroad, once for a tow as we had a blowout and needed a new tyre, the other as a separate flat tyre couldn't be swapped with the spare as the bolts were stuck tight ! Sure even parked at home I once had to ring for a man to come out to give us a jump start as the sat nav was left plugged in and drained the battery enough to stop it from starting.
Its grand if you have your dad round the corner (which is often a standard solution and why breakdown cover at home is seen as unnecessary) but when 1000s of km away from home, its reassuring to have a number you can ring to get help when you need it.

BrokenArrows

I also like leaving a spare set of car keys with friends at home.
If you happen to lose yours then worst case scenario they can just overnight the spare to wherever you are staying and you lose one days travel.

JamBur

Thanks guys

Fred Swanson

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