The key to avoiding unpleasant surprises, such as accidents and falling foul of the law is to be fully prepared before travelling. So, before setting off you must ensure that you have adequate documentation relating to the vehicle, your driving status (such as an International Driving Permit) and relevant insurance cover. In addition you should also make sure that you’re covered for medical expenses should you need hospitalisation following an accident.
Before leaving for your trip abroad you should familiarise yourself with the driving laws in the country which you’re visiting, including the most obvious things such as on which side of the road motorists drive. Other things include the amount of safety equipment that you must have in the car, such as fire extinguishers and spare bulbs.
When it comes to driving, if you have a learner driver on board and you’re thinking of letting them have a spin behind the wheel while abroad, think again! Provisional UK driving licences are only valid in the UK, and can’t be used in any other country. So, letting your learner driver get behind the wheel would expose you first to breaking the law and secondly but most importantly if you are involved in a road traffic collision your car insurance is likely to be invalid.
While on the subject of car insurance you should check whether you are actually covered to drive outside of the UK before setting off. Some insurance policies include driving abroad as part of the normal cover, while other insurers will provide cover for an extra premium. You may also need a Green Card as well as your insurance certificate for the country that you are visiting, which provides proof of the minimum insurance required by that country’s laws.
As well as insurance cover you also need to check what breakdown cover will be supplied should you and your vehicle need assistance. You should also check that your vehicle doesn’t contravene the laws of the country in which you wish to drive.
Finally, make sure you have all the relevant contact numbers that you need, such as your insurer’s emergency helpline and a spare set of keys, which of course shouldn’t be left in the vehicle!
This article has been written for information and interest purposes only. The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author only, and should not be construed as advice or used to make financial decisions. Expert financial advice should always be sought and any links contained within this article are included for information purposes only.
Adam Singleton writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.
