Looking for driving tips and experiences mainland Europe

davepatr07

Hi,

Just wanted to ask anyone on this what tips you can give driving in mainland Europe particularly, France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Spain.

I've lived abroad before but only driven on the same side as here in Ireland, ie NZ, Australia, UK and even Malta (who drive on the left too).

I'm looking to drive around Normandy and Brittany in France maybe north of Spain, not keen on driving through the big cities. What do I need to be aware of and any tips?

Tks

D

blanch152

Watch out for multi-storey carparks with really tight entrances and spaces, especially in centres of old towns.

suvigirl

Get an automatic.

SoapMcTavish

Definitely get an automatic. Download maps to your phone for offline use, or get a European sim. Remember "Far left, near right" for turning. I did Normandy recently from Beauvais airport. You'll be surprised how quickly you adapt. I tend to try to follow someone if possible. Stay behind them until you have to turn off, or they do. Also - the price of fuel varies greatly ... top up when you see it at reasonable price. And be prepared for tolls. Some can be quite expensive - think one of mine was 16euro - standard suv.

Del2005

Be prepared for your front seat passenger to be terrified when passing vehicles on multi lane roads. Happened to me the 1st time I drove on the right, passenger scared by passing too close. Didn't know how bad it was till I was a passenger for a 1st time driver on the right. Just stay in your lane and it's fine.

As the others have said get an auto, if you have never driven auto before keep your left foot near the drivers seat to avoid left foot braking. Driving is fine when there is traffic you just follow it. Roundabouts just follow the natural flow. It's only when there is no traffic around that you might drive on the left.

When on some roads vehicles from the right have right of way, so you have to stop for vehicles coming from side roads. If the road has a yellow and white diamond then you have right of way.

munchkin_utd

In france, watch for the speed cameras. Theres nearly always a warning sign so theres no excuse to get caught but they are fairly frequent, even on non motorways.

Brittanny and Normandy have next to no toll roads so thats a positive. If you do hit toll roads, if youre in an irish car the co-pilot will have to do the honours for toll tickets and payment.

Also for an irish car, you will need those headlight adjuster stickers to stop you blinding locals if the car doesnt have motorised headlights that you can set. Its not an issue in the summer and or if you are 99% on motorways but from the sounds of it you are touring the countryside so you'll need it there. You'll also need to have high viz jackets and the warning triangle easily accessable (check the AA website for each countries exact requirments)

On the untolled roads in Normandy and elsewhere (dunno about brittanny but could be the same) theres very few public toilets and the ones there are, are horrendous. On the toll roads in France in general theres HEAPS of small rest areas with relatively clean and non stinky toilets, picnic table etc. They also nearly always have a toilet / small rest stop directly after a toll booth so thats something to keep in mind.

As for an automatic rental, why? If youre used to manual you'll get used to the new clutch biting point and youre sorted - just need to remember to stay on the right side of the road after that. If youre not used to an automatic it fairly easy to slam on the brakes when the reflex to release the clutch kicks in and thats a danger in itsself. Aside from that, it can be double or tripple the cost for an automatic so from my perspective its only reasonable to go for that if you are american, pay feck all tax and can afford to be rode senseless for not knowing how to drive a manual.

The Ging and I

A lot of rental cars are automatic so you might not have a choice.

I drive both right and left hand steering in Europe. I find you are more likely to make a mistake driving out of a hotel when theres no one in front of you.

josip

Are you bringing your own car or renting?

davepatr07

Thanks all for the replies... just going back on 1 reply... used an automatic for 7 years living down under. When I did get a chance to go on a break to either NZ or Oz (where ever I was based), I rented a manuel to keep in tune with the handling, ya never really forget how to drive one.

With regards to France, Normandy, Brittany would be taking ferry over as foot passenger and renting a car from there rather than using own car, (would use own car for UK)... Would think it would be easier with drivers side to the left, and driving on the right.

First Up

I always take my car. Driving on the right is easy. Just take care at roundabouts and turning onto main roads.