Driving Around Europe Advice/Clarity check!

[iamtheoneneo]

Me and the Mrs are planning on driving around a few countries in Europe for our summer hols in September. I have the route planned for the most part and will take us from Calais through Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and ending up in Austria and coming back again. All in all its 14 days worth of exploring with a few high risk activities along the way (nurburgring , alpine drive) where I will be praying hard the car doesn't get smashed up.

We will be taking the 07 Civic at present (its final send off), As unfortunately my new Audi is still being built as it seems like Audi have like one robot making stuff out there.

Has anyone done any driving around these countries before? These are the things I need to sort out to comply with the various laws:

Austria: Need a vignette - have people had luck getting these at border control or is it simply best to try and get them before hand?
France: Need NF Approved breathalyser in car
Germany: Need to apply for an environmental zone sticker to drive around most cities without running into issues.
General: Triangle, Headlamp convertors, GB sticker, Reflective vest

Anything I am glaringly missing that I would HAVE to comply with for the Law in one or more countries?
Im more then happy sticking up a travel log once its all organised if people are interested/looking to do the same!

 

[Bat]

Austria: Need a vignette - have people had luck getting these at border control or is it simply best to try and get them before hand?
France: Need NF Approved breathalyser in car
Germany: Need to apply for an environmental zone sticker to drive around most cities without running into issues.
General: Triangle, Headlamp convertors, GB sticker, Reflective vest

Anything I am glaringly missing that I would HAVE to comply with for the Law in one or more countries?
Im more then happy sticking up a travel log once its all organised if people are interested/looking to do the same!

Don't worry about the vignette. You can get them at service stations approaching the border. Have messed up before and picked one up within Austria no probs.

Never experienced the environmental zone sticker issue. Is that new? I've driven in German cities many times.

Sounds like you have it well covered. Cash for tolls and a map in case your sat nav throws a wobbly are a good idea.

 

[paradigm]

1) Austria: The first time I drove through Austria, I wasn't even aware of the need for the vignette. I drove straight through (didn't stop) to Slovakia without so much as a hint of a problem For the return leg, we got one at the Slovakia/Austria border (somewhere between Bratislava and Vienna), no issues there, certainly didn't need to pre-order one.

2) France: The breathalyser thing has been indefinitely delayed, so there is no legal requirement to carry one. You do still need your warning fandangle, hi-viz vests/jackets (one per passenger), spare bulb kit and headlight converters. If you are really desperate for the breathalysers, then Halfords have them.

3) Germany: No idea, I've never really ventured off the Autobahn other than the 'ring, and you certainly don't need no eco sticker for that

4) General: You don't need the GB sticker if you have GB plates (obviously). I'd double check your insurance (most do cover you using the "green card" method, but check anyway). Also it might be wise to ensure you have European-wide (or at least western Europe) breakdown/recovery. I've got mine though green-flag (but that's only due to getting my UK cover for free, so adding EU was a relatively small cost), but a lot of people recommend getting covered through ADAC.

 

[Bat]

2) France: The breathalyser thing has been indefinitely delayed, so there is no legal requirement to carry one. You do still need your warning fandangle, hi-viz vests/jackets (one per passenger), spare bulb kit and headlight converters. If you are really desperate for the breathalysers, then Halfords have them.

Being pedantic, but you don't have to carry spare bulbs. Your lights and reflectors do have to be working so it's a good idea to, but there is no penalty for not carrying a bulb kit in France.

 

[CooK1E]

Being pedantic, but you don't have to carry spare bulbs. Your lights and reflectors do have to be working so it's a good idea to, but there is no penalty for not carrying a bulb kit in France.

But apparently if you get caught with a blown light and you can't replace it when asked, its a fine. That said with the amount of sheds I saw driving around I can't really imagine that they stop many people.

Worth also noting that in France you should technically have a high viz for every occupant of the car and not just the driver.

 

[Dogbreath]

1) Austria: The first time I drove through Austria, I wasn't even aware of the need for the vignette. I drove straight through (didn't stop) to Slovakia without so much as a hint of a problem

First time I was in Austria it had only just been introduced and neither I nor my friend (who'd driven through several times before) was aware of it either. We got pulled over about 3 miles border whilst heading towards Switzerland, and the copper took us to a massive queue of (mainly foreign) people lining up at the back of a small police van to pay the hefty fine

 

[[TW]Fox]

Austria: Need a vignette - have people had luck getting these at border

I bought mine on the Hungarian side of the border in the last fuel station before the border.

Germany: Need to apply for an environmental zone sticker to drive around most cities without running into issues.

You actually probably don't need this unless you intend to drive right into the centre of town. I stayed in the outskirts and used metro/whatever to get into town so didn't need one despite visiting three towns where they were mandatory.

 

[NickXX]

The high-vis rule is sketchy - I don't think they are obligatory for passengers. However, the driver must have one and it must be accessible from within the passenger cabin (I.e. don't put it in the boot), so that you can put it on before you get out of the car.