Travelling around europe - road tax?

[JIM600]

Hi, hope this is in the right forum...

We are planning 1 yr of driving around Europe. Odds are we will average between 2 weeks and 1 month in each major country, and only a couple of weeks in the UK.

What happens about road tax in this scenario? (I have tried googling but not found much).

Presumably you don't buy road tax for every country you enter, is there a time limit, does your UK road tax cover the lot? - do you even need a years UK road tax?

Thanks in advance
Jim

[Stu_00]

Firstly you will have to remain registered in the UK, unless you have a address in Europe. Then you will have to keep taxing the car in the UK.

• Switzerland /Austria - you need to get a motorway ticket (vignette) around £30 a year for Swiss ticket and a bit more in Austria but you can get them for shorter period's
• France /Italy - tolls are pay as you go for the Motorway

Biggest problem is insurance - UK fully comp polices normally only give 30-90 days max - Example of how we really are not in Europe!

Good luck and enjoy!

[JCW]

As already said, the vehicle has to remain road legal in its country of registration which includes insurance, MOT and tax however, I'm sure you must be able to obtain cover for prolonged periods abroad; possibly A Plan could help?

[JIM600]

Hi, thanks for the info - pretty much as I suspected. Unlikely we will hit many toll roads so really just the vignettes to budget for.

As for insurance, it's something I'm looking into at the moment. The bikes/backup van we are using are not worth alot so 3rd party insurance will be fine - it seems some companies are willing to extend the 90 day cover to 1 year but most only offer 3rd party cover.

Thanks
Jim

[AddieB]

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicl...

The DVLA will send the tax disc to you if you are abroad. Had a similar issue while on a tour of europe in a camper van.

Vignette's are required in Austria, Switzerland (1 year minimum), Czech, Slovkia and Slovenia while France and Italy have toll roads and Austria has both (due in part to all the tunnels). Hungary use an ANPR system and you give them your registration number and they give you a receipt.

Germany has no vignette - but if you plan to drive into any citys you will need a Umweltzonen (Emissions) Stiker:
http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/int_england.php

I've driven most countries in Western / Eastern EU and beyond so just shout if you need any more info.

[Stu_00]

Also these guys are good for insurance for this purpose !

http://www.stuartcollins.com/

[JIM600]

Thanks guys - some great info there, still working on insurance. We are trying to cover 2x bikes and 1x support van so a lots of phone calls being made.

Does anyone have any opinions on driving a rhd van in Europe (A lhd versions seems to be almost double the price plus the problem of getting it from france, insurance etc.) But no rear windows in the van - we will be sticking to side/B roads almost entirely and unlikely to be driving through any major towns or cities - what do you think, will we cope driving a right hander?

[Killwilly]

JIM600 said:

will we cope driving a right hander?

Don't worry about driving on the right hand side of the road, it becomes second nature after the first few hours. In fact I find it odd driving on the left when I return to the UK. Enjoy your trip, it sounds fantastic.