Tips When Travelling With A Car Through Europe

Traveling by car, plane, train, insurance, speed limits, tips and more… Driving license In some countries, in addition to a valid driver's license, you must bring your car registration plate with you. Remember, in most countries, you must be 18 or older to drive. The minimum rental age is not fixed at the EU level and varies between 20 and 23 years. Maximum age limits, ranging from 65 to 75, are also possible. Car insurance When traveling in the EU, your car insurance automatically provides you with minimum legal liability (civil liability). This is also true of Iceland, Norway and Switzerland. If you have full insurance in your country, check that it is valid when traveling in other countries. The Green Card is not compulsory when traveling in the EU, but is an internationally recognized proof of insurance and facilitates the settlement of accidents. If you do not bring a green card, bring your insurance contract. The green card system currently covers 44 countries and is managed by an association of insurers. Their website English provides additional information on the green card system and its objectives. Your insurer can give you a European Accident Form, a standard document that makes it easy to file on the spot if you have an accident abroad. EU rules facilitate quick compensation for victims of road accidents outside their country. This applies not only to accidents in the EU but also to accidents between two EU persons in a non-EU country participating in the green card system. In 2005, new improvements were adopted, facilitating the receipt and filing of insurance claims for drivers and enhancing the protection of accident victims by setting higher minimum values ​​for compensation for injuries and property damage. Check Your Car Battery! It is very important to check your car battery prior to leaving as a dead car battery might leave you in the middle of the road for hours. If you are not sure or you don't know how to measure/ check your auto battery, every mechanic will do it for you, and you better visit the nearest garage. Most of the professional car mechanics will even do that for free because it is very easy and fast. To check reliable car batteries read carefully the expert thoughts from MotorCities. On the list above we have reviewed and suggested reliable batteries that will never leave you in a bad situation. Driving safely In all EU countries, passengers should put their belts on all vehicles, including coach buses and minibusses. Children should also have appropriate child restraints in cars and trucks and, if possible, in other vehicles. Remember that in Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, and the United Kingdom you have to drive on the left side of the road and that in some countries, such as Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal and France, priority is given to vehicles coming from the right. The use of a mobile phone while driving significantly increases the risk of a fatal accident and is directly or indirectly prohibited in all EU countries. In some countries, hands-free (hands-free) devices are allowed. Although the maximum blood alcohol level in most EU countries is 0.5 mg/ml, in others it varies between 0.2 mg/ml and 0.8 mg/ml (0.9 mg/ml in Cyprus), and some countries do not allow any alcohol in the blood when driving. The European Commission has recommended that all countries adopt a standard limit of 0.5 mg/ml. Speed ​​allowed The speed limit on motorways is usually 110, 120 or 130 km / h and the maximum permitted speed in settlements is 50 or sometimes 60 km / h. Keep an eye on the signs to be sure what the restriction is and if any special conditions apply. The table below shows generally the maximum permissible speed for cars in January 2007. In some countries, it is lower in bad weather or for novice drivers.