First time Driving to Europe

Marakith

Marakith

Marakith

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Joined
22 Nov 2004
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412
Location
London
Hello!

I'm taking the family on a driving trip into Europe for the first time this summer. We usually go by plane or train.

You guys always have excellent insights and experiences, so I've a couple of questions:

1] We're taking the Dover-Dunkirk ferry. I'm hearing the queues are terrible, and we should get there even earlier than the suggested 90 minutes. Is that right? What about coming back through Dunkirk? Are there any extra Brexit-related checks either way?
2] I bought some anti-dazzle stickers for the headlights (Eurolite ones). When do we put them on? Can I put them on in the UK the night before? Do we need to take them off when we come back to the UK?
3] We have a Touran - Has anyone fitted these stickers to a Touran? I'm super nervous about putting them on the wrong spot (even following instructions), so any tips relating to positioning, testing I got it right etc. would be most appreciated
4] We've got the other stuff, like warning triangle, yellow vests, breathalysers etc. Any other tips on must-pack accessories?


Thanks so much!
 
You need to have your V5C in the car for Europe, the police can ask for it at the roadside.
I think you need to have spare bulbs in the car for France, but I don't know if they actually check that one. I've only been stopped in Germany, Denmark and Norway, having to provide Passport, Driving Licence and Registration Document.
Have you got UK marked plates or a UK sticker for the back? (GB is no longer valid)
 
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alexp999 said:
You need to have your V5C in the car for Europe, the police can ask for it at the roadside.
I think you need to have spare bulbs in the car for France, but I don't know if they actually check that one. I've only been stopped in Germany, Denmark and Norway, having to provide Passport, Driving Licence and Registration Document.
Have you got UK marked plates or a UK sticker for the back? (GB is no longer valid)
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Ah yes! The v5c and insurance docs too, I think.
I have a magnetic sticker for the back. Have ordered a spare in case the one on the back gets nicked.

Thank you!
 
When we've put the eurolite stickers on, tend to put on whilst in the queue for the ferry as only a couple of minutes job...then remove them whilst in queue for ferry back.

Generally you queue for all your boarding and passport checks then you are assigned a lane which you go and wait in pre boarding the boat (similar for Eurotunnel too)

As mentioned already, have v5c and insurance printed.

Check country's your driving through but France at least 1x high Vis per occupant available within the cabin (so not in boot). RAC has some useful lists.

If your going to Switzerland/Austria you need vignette stickers to use their motorway system which can be bought at the border.

Make your keep up with your lane discipline,no UK hanging around in lanes of not needed. As speeds are higher in Europe things can approach quicker.

Be patient and observant as you will find people can drive slightly more aggressively but as long as your keeping an eye and giving space you should be all good!

Enjoy..I much prefer driving on the continent then the UK!
 
I wouldn't bother with the anti dazzle stickers. Just keep them on you and say you will put them on when it gets dark if stopped. You can basically see nothing at night with them fitted anyway. I actually bought some LHD headlights cheap and swap them over in UK before I leave. Have you checked if your car can be setup for LHD as a lot of new cars can do this?

I would advise taking a small tool kit with things like duct tape and cable ties and a tyre pump. A full size spare that is good would be ideal if you have one and making sure it actually holds air before you go.

Pre planning your route is essential in case something happens with phone or Sat Nav. I wouldn't rely on it but use it as guide. Know the roads you are going and pre check on google maps for services at around the times you will need to stop for a break or fill up. It will be a lot more relaxing journey that way instead of driving till you basically drop dead!

Services are a lot better than the UK but you do still have parts which are terrible. Some of the toilets off the Autobahn are horrid and id rather go in a bush tbh!
 
For France, a hi-vis vest for everyone in the car, accessible so they can be donned BEFORE exiting the vehicle in case you breakdown at the side of the road.
First Aid kit.
Warning triangle.
Means to change wheels if your car carries a spare. Tyre gunk and inflator if not.
A bottle of water and a snack bar for everyone in case of being stuck due to an accident.

In France, you are expected to come to a complete halt at Stop signs, apply handbrake, look around to check way is clear, release handbrake and move off. It’s a spot cash fine if the Gendarmes see you roll it or don’t think you were stationary for at least 4-5 seconds.
 
adam cool dude said:
I wouldn't bother with the anti dazzle stickers. Just keep them on you and say you will put them on when it gets dark if stopped. You can basically see nothing at night with them fitted anyway. I actually bought some LHD headlights cheap and swap them over in UK before I leave. Have you checked if your car can be setup for LHD as a lot of new cars can do this?
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OMG - this is amazing. I think there is indeed a "Travel Mode" on the Touran. I'll check later when I get home.

Will definitely research the route for service stops. Our destination is in Hessen, so we'll mostly be in Belgium and Germany.
 
Yeah with the beam deflectors just don't drive for 3+ hours until its getting dark and then try and do it in a petrol station when it's really windy and the instructions keep blowing away..

But look if your car has a switch as that's super handy if it does.

Most handy thing i got was one of those little transparent stickers you put int he corner of your windscreen showing which lane you need to be in on a roundabout when driving on the right, i got one from halfords back in the day. Saves a brain fart moment when everything's happening at once.
 
If your sat nav has speed camera alerts, turn it off, they don't seem to like them in Europe.
 
You no longer need to carry a breathalyser kit in France, that requirement was dropped a few years ago.
 
Uther said:
If your sat nav has speed camera alerts, turn it off, they don't seem to like them in Europe.
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Thats very honest of you! ;) Google tends not to show them from memory...Waze has them in as temporary cameras or average speed cameras for the most part.

I would say that if you do see a speed camera sign, there is a good chance within a few km you will see one. In france they are not obliged to paint them bright luminous colours and make them visible either so they can be quite hard to spot from a distance. They have quite a variety of different setups and different sizes!

Its worth noting France can be quite strict on speed limits, tends to be a lower amount of le-way then in the UK (however, whole debate around since brexit if you get snapped the liklihood of receiving the letter in the post is minimal). If you get pulled by police for speeding they may well drive you straight to a cash machine if you don't have the Euros to hand!

Don't think anyone has mentioned Crit'air yet, if your going to be driving in cities and towns/areas with Crit'air just be aware of the requirements, you can end up with some on the spot fines if caught without a sticker.

Its only a few £ so its worth registering your vehicle as part of the scheme, even if you don't get the sticker in time, you do get a letter to present stating you have applied and pending sticker arriving. When i did mine pre-lemans it was turned around in less then 2 weeks from application and payment to getting the sticker in the post.

Website to apply: https://certificat-air.gouv.fr/ - you need to scan your V5 as part of this.
 
If the driver wears glasses then in France you need to have a spare pair with you. Never seen this (or any of the requirements) checked ever but thems the rules.
 
Download Google maps for your intended route and destination so you don't need to rely on satnav or data.
 
Some of the autoroutes down South of France a7/a8 anyway don't have junction for 30 odd miles -
so if you go the wrong way it's a long U turn, I'd check your route in that respect for critical junction negotiation, especially for ferry appointment on return.

for route planning - if you pre-plan fuel stops at carrefours/hypermarkets close to autoroutes, petrol(&leccy?) is cheaper,
and the supermarket is much more fun than a motorway service station, if, you can even extricate the family;
section of autoroute near towns/cities often free so no additional cost.

sovietspybob said:
Most handy thing i got was one of those little transparent stickers you put int he corner of your windscreen showing which lane you need to be in on a roundabout when driving on the right, i got one from halfords back in the day. Saves a brain fart moment when everything's happening at once.
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more basically, when initially driving on the wrong side of the road, lhd in uk, I initially always parked and left a cloth on the steering wheel just to remind me to drive on the ..left,
it's first thing in the morning, on an empty road, where you might screw up.
 
Diddums said:
Be a bit awkard to wear your missus on your eyebrows wouldn't it?
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No I meant if my glasses were to go missing I could just get her to drive even though I can drive without glasses the eye strain would be unreal :p.

Also what if you did have a spare pair but genuinely lost them en route and then the police stop you? Just seems like a silly rule to me.
 
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