A road trip is one of the best ways to see Europe, giving you the freedom to stop where you like and reach places no train or tour will take you. But driving abroad comes with quirks that catch out the unprepared, from tolls and permits to local rules that carry on-the-spot fines. A little homework before you go saves a lot of grief on the road.
The paperwork
Carry your licence, your insurance documents and, if it is your own car, the registration and proof you are allowed to drive it abroad. Many countries require certain items in the car by law, such as a warning triangle, a high-visibility vest and sometimes spare bulbs or a breathalyser; the exact list varies by country, so check before you cross each border.
Tolls and zones
- Some countries charge tolls per stretch of motorway; others require a vignette, a sticker or electronic pass bought in advance, and driving without one means a fine.
- Many cities now have low-emission zones that require registration or a permit; entering one without it can be expensive.
- Research the system for each country on your route before you set off, not at the border.
The unwritten rules
Etiquette varies. In much of Europe the inside lane really is for driving and the outer lanes strictly for overtaking, and undertaking is frowned upon and sometimes illegal. Speed limits change for weather or whether you are a recent licence-holder, and enforcement by camera is widespread. Drive calmly, keep right, and adapt to the local pace.
Remember too that you will be driving on the opposite side from home in most of the continent, which takes real concentration for the first day, especially at junctions and roundabouts. Take it slowly, let your passenger help watch, and the strangeness soon fades. Get the preparation right and a European road trip is pure pleasure; skip it and the fines and stress can take the shine off a fine holiday.