Europe road trip in December, laws and customs?

[sidekickdmr]

Hi,

Me and the oh are having a mini Europe road trip in December and going Dover-Calais, night in Bruges, 2 nights in Frankfurt a night in Antwerp and then back home.

So will be driving through France, Belgium and Germany. Is there anything I have to consider?

I don't have winter tyres, will this be an issue? (only sticking to motorways and towns)

Do I need to cary a high viz/brethaliser/snow chains?

Just want to make sure I'm not breaking any laws and I will be safe.

Thanks

[marshalla]

http://driving.drive-alive.co.uk/

[Bluebarge]

High-Viz - yes, one for driver and each passenger

Breathalyser - not clear yet, law not fully in force and may be "parked"

Winter tyres - Belgium and France no, Germany - think you may be deemed to be "at fault" if there is an accident and you don't have them fitted but don't remember reading anything more than that. seems highly unlikely the polizei would take an interest unless you crash or block the road.

Snow chains - no

Plus you need a GB badge and headlight convertors, original V5 and insurance certificate, and maybe Green Card if you want fully comp and it's not part of your insurance deal.

[g3org3y]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/comp...

HTH

Winter tyres (strongly)advised in Germany at this time of year. 95% of cars I saw out there were on winters

[krallicious]

custodian said:

Don't forget many German cities require you to display an emissions sticker. Failure will result in an instant 40E fine.

Although technically true, you do not have to worry about this at all. Winter tyres are required in Germany when there is snow on the ground. If that is the case and you are caught, you will be fined for each tyre and possibly be issued with points on a ghost licence. You also need to carry a warning triangle. That's about it for Germany but remember to keep a close eye on your rear view mirror when on the Autobahn.

If you need any pointers for Frankfurt then there are a few PHers out here (oh, and the Weinachtsmarkt starts in a week and runs until 23rd December).

Edited by krallicious on Tuesday 20th November 17:08

[sidekickdmr]

Thanks guys.

We are heading over for the Xmas markets and a few beers, any pointers on where to go/stay and see?

Only there 2 days/nights though

[majordad]

Going to Bernkastel-Kues this Friday. The market opens 5pm Sat, we spend Sat AM in Trier. AFAIK nothing much open on Sun 25th as it s a memorial day, so I'm going to the Ring and staying in the Tiergarten SUn Night.

[krallicious]

sidekickdmr said:

Thanks guys.

We are heading over for the Xmas markets and a few beers, any pointers on where to go/stay and see?

Only there 2 days/nights though

YHM

[sidekickdmr]

Ok so booking ferry/ hotels tonight.

Can I just confirm it is not a legal requirement to have winter tyres in France, belgium or Germany?

[sidekickdmr]

A lex said:

Its not a legal requiremnt.

However if there is snow on the ground (or the Police deems the conditions appropriate) you can be fined at the roadside (per tyre) for not having winters on the car - you will be allowed to continue your journey though - go figure!! If you are involved in any sort of collision in DE and do not have winters you are automatically apportioned part (or all) of the blame.

When are you going? Theres a decent cold snap and snow forecast for end November/start December at the moment....!

Also:

If someone flashes their lights at you it means 'I am coming', not 'you go' as in the UK. Be aware of huge speed differntials on the autobahn. Pay attention to priority right junctions. Make sure your hi-Viz jackets are in the car, rather than the boot. Make sure you have a warning triangle.

Thanks for the info.

We are going the 12-16 December, Wednesday dy night in Bruges, thurs and fri in frankfurt, sat in Antwerp and home Sunday.

I'll be sure to get the high viz/triangle/breathalyser!

[krallicious]

custodian said:

On what basis do you think he should ignore the emissions sticker requirement?

On the basis that since the stickers were introduced I know of no one who has been caught and that includes German cars which have the red or yellow stickers, which are now not allowed to enter the Umweltzonen. Do you expect the OP, or any foreign registared car, to visit a TÜV station to collect a sticker before entering an Umweltzone? It's a silly little rule that just about everyone ignores as it is just an excuse for you to pay an extra 40€ to the government.

[krallicious]

http://gis.uba.de/Website/umweltzonen/index.htm gives you and oversight of what cities are at which stage of proceedings. I've been around Frankfurt quite frequently for the past 3.5 years and know of no one who has been penalised, personally.

[sidekickdmr]

Last minute change of plan, the final destination is cologne now rather than Frankfurt.

4 hours less driving in total.

Se we are doing bruges on the Wednesday, Cologne on the Thursday and Friday, Brussels on the Saturday, home Sunday night!

[g3org3y]

sidekickdmr said:

Last minute change of plan, the final destination is cologne now rather than Frankfurt.

4 hours less driving in total.

Se we are doing bruges on the Wednesday, Cologne on the Thursday and Friday, Brussels on the Saturday, home Sunday night!

Good choice. See my Germany thread for my advice to Dog Star about Cologne.

[Silver993tt]

krallicious said:

Do you expect the OP, or any foreign registared car, to visit a TÜV station to collect a sticker before entering an Umweltzone? It's a silly little rule that just about everyone ignores as it is just an excuse for you to pay an extra 40€ to the government.

Most certainly. I did and it took 10mins to issue and cost €8 as a one off fee, couldn't have been easier. Mines green and class 4 and was checked in Munich.

[sidekickdmr]

g3org3y said:

Good choice. See my Germany thread for my advice to Dog Star about Cologne.

Thanks for that, just had a read and I'm pretty excited now

[AdiT]

A lex said:

Its not a legal requiremnt.

However if there is snow on the ground (or the Police deems the conditions appropriate) you can be fined at the roadside (per tyre) for not having winters on the car - you will be allowed to continue your journey though - go figure!! If you are involved in any sort of collision in DE and do not have winters you are automatically apportioned part (or all) of the blame.

Are you sure about winter tyres? I was told that the law was changed recently (2010/11?) and they're now a requirement between Nov and March. Story's on ski forums (more Euro winter driving than average) of German police targeting foreign reg' cars as an easy target for winter tyres.

[g3org3y]

sidekickdmr said:

g3org3y said:

Good choice. See my Germany thread for my advice to Dog Star about Cologne.

Thanks for that, just had a read and I'm pretty excited now

[sidekickdmr]

AdiT said:

Are you sure about winter tyres? I was told that the law was changed recently (2010/11?) and they're now a requirement between Nov and March. Story's on ski forums (more Euro winter driving than average) of German police targeting foreign reg' cars as an easy target for winter tyres.

Oh god, I do hope not, we would have just flown.

This could get very expencive (20" wheels)

Any more info guys? I'm off to do some googling!

[Silver993tt]

AdiT said:

Are you sure about winter tyres? I was told that the law was changed recently (2010/11?) and they're now a requirement between Nov and March. Story's on ski forums (more Euro winter driving than average) of German police targeting foreign reg' cars as an easy target for winter tyres.

Winter tyres are much safe in the Uk between November and March. Anything below 8C (which is most nights during this period) will be a distinct advantage for winter tyres.