UK Ferry Tickets

We all know that we give way to the right on a roundabout and that we’re not supposed to park on double yellow lines… or at least we should if we have a licence to drive in the UK! If you don’t know either of the above then you’re at a disadvantage before you start, but even more so because the same driving laws do not apply in continental Europe. Although the laws do vary slightly from country to country over there, the differences between UK and European driving laws go above and beyond just driving on the opposite side of the road.

Too many people heading on a self drive holiday to the continent are so busy planning their trip that they forget to look up the simple rules of the road in their destination country, let alone look into the equipment they should be taking under the legal requirements of the road. You might well be asking why you should do that now but it is a must unless you want to spend your holiday looking at the scenery from inside a jail cell. It is possible! The following checklist should help you to learn some of what you need to know rather quickly:

• First of all, in some countries you need a reflective jacket in your car at all times because if you break down or have an accident then you are legally required to have one on BEFORE you leave the safety of your car. Obviously it is so that other motorists can see you! You also have to have a reflective triangle placed behind or in front of the car facing the oncoming traffic and your hazard lights on.
• The speed limits are very different in various countries. For example, the limit on the UK motorway is 70mph, or 110kmph, but the limit is only 110kmph in France when it’s wet. The general motorway speed limit in France is 130kmph but it’s just 90kmph in Norway. To confuse you even more, there is no motorway speed limit in Germany unless one is displayed! Police love to pull over Brits on the Continent so make sure that you do not give them any reason to!
• Always take your driving licence and relevant documents with you. Insurance, MOT, ownership papers or hire documents… all of them should be with you at all times to cover you should you be stopped.
• You should have a variety of other equipment in your car at any given time, although this varies from country to country as well. To be on the safe side, you are best to take a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, replacement bulbs and fuses, reflective jackets and a reflective triangle. With all of that in the boot you cover most applicable laws in Europe! 
• Finally, the laws on drink driving are totally different in Europe. if you think the UK laws are harsh (and some people do) then you ain’t seen nothing yet! The drink drive laws in the UK dictate you can have up to 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood but in Europe it’s actually 50mg. One glass of wine or pint could take you over the limit so you’re best not to drive at all if you have had a drink.

Guest Article by Louise Crowley

Friday, April 3rd, 2009