Driving to Belgium/France/Spain. First time driving abroad..
Discussion
Hello! next week i'm embarking on a mega road trip with some pals. Were away for a month, going to a few festivals (rock wertcher, worldwide, benicassim) as well as hitting some cool cities such as Brugge, Paris, Barcelona, Madrid.... and tipping it all off with a weeks surfing in Biarritz, can't wait!
I've never driven abroad before and i'm a bit anxious about it. Any tips regarding driving over there?
I'm also tempted to get some european breakdown cover but AA quoted me £300! thought that was a bit steep, anyone got any recommendations?
My little 118d is being treat to a new set of tyres, retro-fitted cruise control and a lovely service next week so hopefully she'll be able to handle the 3,300 miles journey a-ok!
I've never driven abroad before and i'm a bit anxious about it. Any tips regarding driving over there?
I'm also tempted to get some european breakdown cover but AA quoted me £300! thought that was a bit steep, anyone got any recommendations?
My little 118d is being treat to a new set of tyres, retro-fitted cruise control and a lovely service next week so hopefully she'll be able to handle the 3,300 miles journey a-ok!
I'll try my best! don't fancy the on the spot fines. That said, it's a 2.0 bmw diesel with 4 people, a load of luggage and a roof box so i don't think i'll be going anywhere too quickly 
Am i right in thinking the (motorway) speed limit is 80mph in France? is it 70 in Belgium & spain?
Am i right in thinking the (motorway) speed limit is 80mph in France? is it 70 in Belgium & spain?
It's fine. You'll discover how crap our roads are when you've been to France especially. Just watch the direction of that first roundabout and likewise when you get back you'll be disorientated on the first half mile so be wary.
The Dutch drive like loons, the Belgians drive rather nice metal and whilst the French all have fairly crap shopping cars (your 118d will be in the 'posh car' category there) they sure know how to make progress. A peasant farmer in an ancient Citroen Visa with a stinking Gauloise hanging out of his mouth embarrassed us in a Z4 when we did a Euro-hoon last year.
Some fab roads in Europe, stick to the back roads where possible and enjoy!
The Dutch drive like loons, the Belgians drive rather nice metal and whilst the French all have fairly crap shopping cars (your 118d will be in the 'posh car' category there) they sure know how to make progress. A peasant farmer in an ancient Citroen Visa with a stinking Gauloise hanging out of his mouth embarrassed us in a Z4 when we did a Euro-hoon last year.
Some fab roads in Europe, stick to the back roads where possible and enjoy!
Just take it easy, show some extra caution until you've familiarised yourself with it. The only issue I had was for the first ten minutes, reaching to the wrong side for the gearstick! You'll be surprised how quickly you adapt, you'll find it pretty instinctive to mirror everything.
One thing: cameras. The Europeans like them more than us.
One thing: cameras. The Europeans like them more than us.
You're driving your own car so be alert and remind yourself every time you get in to drive on the right. Don't break speed limits as being done for it will spoil your holiday. Play safe on inner city parking to avoid fines or worse. ADAC European cover is about 80 Euros. Previous posters are right the Dutch and Belgian drivers are unpredictable nutters - play it safe here too.
Once you get used to it, it's rather fun, so relax and enjoy
Once you get used to it, it's rather fun, so relax and enjoy
If your taking a Sat Nav its now illegal to have a speed camera database of cameras in France so make sure they are removed from your device.
http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_...
Otherwise make sure you have the compulsory gear you don't want a fine for not having a breathalyser!
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/comp...
http://uk.support.tomtom.com/app/answers/detail/a_...
Otherwise make sure you have the compulsory gear you don't want a fine for not having a breathalyser!
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/comp...
Get a piece of A5 card and fold it in half. On one side write KEEP RIGHT and on the other side write KEEP LEFT. On arrival in France, put this card with the KEEP RIGHT message showing on the dashboard facing you, and secure it with blu-tac - tiredness can make you do funny things on the road at the end of the day - such as swerving to the left (wrong) side of the road at traffic islands in town, and setting off from a garage on an empty road on the left... 99.5% of the time, you will get it right, but just occasionally... .
And when you get back to Blighty, turn the card around and marvel at how many cars drive up the right hand lane of the M20 out of Dover as if it was the inside lane .
Roundabouts... In France, almost all are as you are used to in Blighty (they all have signs "cedez la passage" or "vous n'avez pas le priorite"), but there is the odd rare one (the signs are different, can't recall what they say but you will recognise the different sign!) that still obeys the old rules (the vehicle entering has priority), which keeps one on one's toes (I found one in Angers, wondered why everyone had stopped on the roundabout, saw the "different" sign then promptly stalled
).
You need to take various pieces of kit for the different countries - including a breathalyser kit for France (these are not compulsory until November, but have two anyway to be prepared and not risk les gendarmes fining you anyway) and Hi Viz vests in the passenger compartment, instantly available for every passenger in France as well (although I think the driver only needs one, better to avoid the risk of les gendarmes taking the mick again).
Speed limits are clearly displayed. "Wet roads" in France (hence the limit being 110kph not 130kph on the autoroute, for example) are defined by the need to use wipers... Speed limits in French towns start at the "town sign", are usually 50kph (this is the default) and end at the 'crossed through' "end of town" sign at the far end...
In Spain, there are signs at the beginning of tunnels saying "use headlights" - this is compulsory (and they also have signs saying when they can be turned off as well ).
Do a google search on the different countries' requirements and laws, it can be quite enlightening.
Finally - enjoy it. A month touring on the continent sounds like a good idea to me .
All the above off the top of my head - there may be some minor errors but it should see you well on your way .
.And when you get back to Blighty, turn the card around and marvel at how many cars drive up the right hand lane of the M20 out of Dover as if it was the inside lane
. Roundabouts... In France, almost all are as you are used to in Blighty (they all have signs "cedez la passage" or "vous n'avez pas le priorite"), but there is the odd rare one (the signs are different, can't recall what they say but you will recognise the different sign!) that still obeys the old rules (the vehicle entering has priority), which keeps one on one's toes (I found one in Angers, wondered why everyone had stopped on the roundabout, saw the "different" sign then promptly stalled
).You need to take various pieces of kit for the different countries - including a breathalyser kit for France (these are not compulsory until November, but have two anyway to be prepared and not risk les gendarmes fining you anyway) and Hi Viz vests in the passenger compartment, instantly available for every passenger in France as well (although I think the driver only needs one, better to avoid the risk of les gendarmes taking the mick again).
Speed limits are clearly displayed. "Wet roads" in France (hence the limit being 110kph not 130kph on the autoroute, for example) are defined by the need to use wipers... Speed limits in French towns start at the "town sign", are usually 50kph (this is the default) and end at the 'crossed through' "end of town" sign at the far end...
In Spain, there are signs at the beginning of tunnels saying "use headlights" - this is compulsory (and they also have signs saying when they can be turned off as well
).Do a google search on the different countries' requirements and laws, it can be quite enlightening.
Finally - enjoy it. A month touring on the continent sounds like a good idea to me
.All the above off the top of my head - there may be some minor errors but it should see you well on your way
.
RE: breathalyser, purchased one yesterday! Bought all the relevant gear on ebay today... gb stickers... hi viz's... warning triangles and all that jazz.
aw51 121565 - thank you very much for all the advice, much appreciated. I believe DRL's are also compulsory in residential areas in Belgium. I think i'll probably just leave them on all the time. Bought some beam adaptors too. The foreign police aint got s
t on me.
aw51 121565 - thank you very much for all the advice, much appreciated. I believe DRL's are also compulsory in residential areas in Belgium. I think i'll probably just leave them on all the time. Bought some beam adaptors too. The foreign police aint got s
t on me. Radebe said:
I'm also tempted to get some european breakdown cover but AA quoted me £300! thought that was a bit steep, anyone got any recommendations?
Probably worth shopping around, but definitey worth having some cover. 20 years ago, the AA paid for hotels for me and a mate for three nights, new luggage, trains and flights home from Rome, and brought our Sherpa van home rom Naples when the gearbox packed up. No cover would have been awkward and very expensive.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff