When you’re planning a driving holiday to the Continent, use our handy travel checklist to make sure you’re not caught out.

You will need the following:

• Valid passport
• Travel tickets
• Foreign breakdown cover
• Insurance for your car
• V5C registration document or permission from the vehicle owner to take the car abroad
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance

Check the legal requirement for the countries you are visiting. You may need the following:

• Fold-out warning triangle
• Spare car light bulbs
• First aid kit
• Reflective vest

Remember:

• All road signs and speed limits on the Continent are in kilometres, not miles
• Some motorways are toll roads
• Driving habits can vary dramatically across the Continent. It may sound like stereotyping but the northern European countries tend to be very disciplined. In southern European countries such as Italy, a red light can sometimes appear like an invitation to speed up

Also check that you’ve got:

• Usable spare wheel, or puncture sealing kit
• Jack and wheel brace
• Locking wheel nut key
• First-aid kit
• Jump leads
• Torch with spare batteries

Related articles