EUROPEAN TRAVEL ADVICE ALBANIA

Transcription

1 ALBANIA A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. If you re driving into the country, make sure you contact the Albanian Embassy in London before you go and ask them to give you the latest information on any documents you ll need. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A warning triangle in case you breakdown. A basic emergency repair kit, including jack, spare wheel, fan belts, wiper blades, local phrase book, water and overnight food there are no recovery services in Albania so if you breakdown, it s best to be prepared. Driving in Albania is not for the faint-hearted. Roads are generally in poor condition, flash flooding is a possibility throughout the year, there are no street lights outside of built-up areas and major roads and there are frequent power cuts. So it s a good idea to use a four-wheel drive vehicle. Some Albanian drivers can be aggressive and erratic, and minor traffic disputes can get out of hand so tread carefully and don t react to other drivers provocative behaviour. Remember, they may be armed. If you re involved in an accident, you must wait until the police arrive. At weekends and during the summer, border crossings can get busy, so be prepared to queue. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

2 ANDORRA A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. If you don t have a photo card licence, you ll need an International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. Spiked tyres and snow chains during winter. Snow chains must be used when road conditions or signs indicate. For Motorcyclists, dipped headlights are compulsory during the daytime. Dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. You won t have to pay any motorway tolls. Petrol (leaded and unleaded) and diesel are readily available. You can t get LPG. You can t carry petrol in a can. Speed limits vary across Andorra, so check the signposts for maximum speeds. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. Children under age 10 can t sit in the front. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

3 ARMENIA A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. Winter tyres or snow chains if you re travelling between November and February. Roads in Armenia can be of a poor standard, particularly in rural areas. Not all insurers cover driving in Armenia so check before you go. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

4 AUSTRIA A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. If you don t have a photo licence, you ll need another form of photographic ID, like your passport. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance required, including trailers. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A reflective jacket within reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. A motorway sticker if you re driving on the motorway you can buy this at the border and at main petrol stations. Winter tyres, if you re driving in snow, slush or ice. Children under 14 and under 1.5 metres must have suitable restraint systems. Dipped headlights must be used when visibility is poor due to bad weather conditions. If you re driving a motorhome with a maximum permitted weight of over 3.5 tonnes, you ll need a GO-Box. This is a small device that automatically registers when you pass a toll. You can either pre-pay when you get the GO-Box, or pay by card after your trip. Be 18 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company.

5 AUSTRIA CONTINUED You ll have to pay motorway tolls. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. Some stations also offer a lead replacement additive. Petrol in a can is permitted up to a maximum of 10 litres. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 100kph on open roads and 130kph on motorways. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml). If you ve had your licence less than two years, the limit is 10mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. It s illegal to use any radar detection equipment. Children under age 12 can t sit in the front unless they have an appropriate seat restraint. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

6 AZERBAIJAN A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. Your passport and visa keep them with you at all times as local police often do spot checks. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate and V5 registration document or hire car paperwork. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. The drink driving limit is zero so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving. Take care when driving in Azerbaijan, particularly at night. Roads can be of a poor standard, particularly in rural areas and are not well lit. Not all insurers cover driving in Azerbaijan so check before you go. Watch out for pedestrians many step out into the road and cross wherever is convenient. Don t turn left, cutting across traffic. If you need to turn left, drive further on until you can find a safe place to turn round, then drive back the other way to turn off. Outside Baku, petrol stations are few and far between so it s a good idea to carry a can of petrol with you. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

7 BELARUS A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. Third party insurance is compulsory, fully comprehensive insurance recommended. An International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate and V5 registration document or hire car paperwork. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Not required for two wheeled vehicles Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Vehicles must use lights in poor visibility and when towing or being towed. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Dipped headlights are compulsory at all times. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. Spark plugs, wiper blades, a fan belt and other basic spares. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. Winter tyres and snow chains.

8 BELARUS CONTINUED You ll be charged a road tax at the border. How much you pay depends on how long you plan to stay but the amount varies between $20 - $150 USD. Not all insurers cover driving in Belarus so check before you go. If not, you must take out short-term motor insurance when driving into the country third party is the minimum level of cover but we recommend you go for fully comprehensive. Unleaded petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available but leaded petrol is not. Children under age 12 can t travel in the front seat and must be seated in a suitable restraint system. The speed limit is 60kph in built-up areas, 90kph on open roads and 100kph on motorways, but if you ve held your licence for less than two years, you shouldn t exceed 70kph. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. You must use dipped headlights during the day between November and March. If you re driving in rural areas at night, watch out for unlit pony & traps. There are often long queues at the border but it s best to ignore the private facilitators offering to get you through. It s common for state police to stop drivers and check documents, particularly if your car has foreign plates. It s illegal to drive a dirty car and to use a mobile phone whilst driving. Radar detectors are prohibited. Foreign visitors are required to purchase health insurance. Up to 20 litres of fuel in a metal can is permitted, but must be declared on entry. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

9 BELGIUM A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. A warning triangle within reach inside the car. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A reflective jacket within reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. Dipped headlights in poor visibility must be used Motorcycles must always have dipped headlights during the day. Be 18 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company.

10 BELGIUM CONTINUED You don t have to pay motorway tolls in Belgium. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. Super leaded (98 Octane) is sold but can be hard to find. Children under 18 or less than 1.35m tall must use an appropriate seat restraint, unless you already have two child seats in the back and can t fit in a third the third child can then use an adult seat belt. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 90kph on open roads and 120kph on motorways there are sometimes lower limits around schools, hospitals and churches and they re not always well signposted, so keep an eye out. If you re caught committing a motoring offence you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you can use this but you mustn t use any device that actively searches for cameras or interferes with police equipment. The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml). If you re in a built-up area, you can only use your horn in cases of extreme danger. Trams usually have priority. You should give way to traffic coming from the right (even if they ve stopped at a junction or to let pedestrians cross), except on motorways, roundabouts and roads signposted with an orange diamond on a white background. It s illegal to use cruise control on motorways. If you choose to use winter tyres in bad weather, you must put a sticker on the dashboard showing the maximum recommended speed for those tyres. Crossing a level crossing when it is not permitted carries a 2750 euro fine. It is prohibited to use a rear facing child seat on the front seat with a frontal airbag, unless it has been deactivated. Petrol cans are permitted but are forbidden on ferries. A white disc bordered in red, bearing the word Peage in black indicates that drivers must stop. The Dutch word Tol sometimes replaces Peage. If you re driving a van or motorhome weighing over 3.5 tonnes, there are some other rules you should be aware of: You mustn t use the left-hand lane on roads with more than three lanes (unless the lanes are forking off in different directions). You should never exceed 90kph, even on motorways. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

11 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. A Green Card it backs up your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. You can get one from your insurance company. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate and V5 registration document or hire car paperwork. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown two triangles if you re towing a trailer. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights and a spare tyre. Winter tyres if you re travelling between 15 November 15 April. Carrying snow chains is recommended. Snow and ice must be removed from cars or a fine will be enforced. Use of radar detectors is prohibited The use of dipped headlights during the day compulsory throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina. GPS must have a fixed speed camera PoI (Points of Interest) function deactivated. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle and as a passenger. This is compulsory for LPG vehicles. Reflective jacket Tow rope/bar

12 BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA CONTINUED Not all insurers cover driving in Bosnia-Herzegovina so check before you go if yours doesn t, you can buy temporary cover at all border posts except Neum. Petrol (leaded and unleaded), diesel and LPG are readily available. Petrol cans are permitted. Children under the age of 5 must use an appropriate child seat. Children under age 12 can t sit in the front seat. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 80kph on open roads and 130kph on motorways, unless the signs say otherwise. The drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. Never go off-road in rural areas without an experienced guide you run the risk of coming across landmines and unexploded devices. Anyone under the influence of alcohol can t sit in the front seat, even as a passenger. You must use dipped headlights at all times. It s a good idea to avoid driving at night, if you can, as many roads have no lighting. If you re involved in an accident, you must wait until the police arrive. On mountain roads, you have right of way going uphill. Trams on the left have priority. You must stop at pedestrian crossings, as soon as someone shows they want to cross. The authorities at the frontier must certify any damage to a vehicle entering Bosnia and Herzegovina and a certificate must be obtained; this must be produced when leaving. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

13 BULGARIA A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate, showing you have permission to drive in Bulgaria. Your V5 registration document or hire car paperwork. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. A road tax sticker prominently displayed in your car you can buy this from ports, border points and petrol stations. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle and as a passenger. Dipped headlights must always be on. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. Winter tyres and snow chains are recommended as they may become compulsory in snowy/icy conditions.

14 BULGARIA CONTINUED You might have to pay motorway tolls, depending where you travel within Bulgaria. It s illegal to carry or use any radar detection equipment. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. Unleaded petrol and diesel are readily available. The speed limit is 50kph in towns, 90kph on open roads and 130kph on motorways. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The drink-driving limit is 49mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. Don t use your horn between 10pm - 6am or 12pm - 4pm. Children under age 12 can t travel in the front seat. Children under 3 must use child restraints. Some drivers can be aggressive and erratic, and minor traffic disputes can get out of hand so tread carefully and don t react to other drivers provocative behaviour. There have been reports of criminals impersonating policemen and imposing fines or stealing cars or personal belongings. Try to avoid driving at night apart from the poor road conditions and lack of street lighting, it s common to come across horse-drawn carts, motorcycles and scooters driving without lights. If you re driving in mountainous areas, watch out for falling rocks and landslides. If someone flashes their lights at you, they re not offering to let you go first. It either means they expect you to get out of their way, or they re warning you that there are police ahead. Visiting motorists are required to drive through a liquid disinfectant on entry for which the charge is approximately 12, and also purchase a vignette (road tax). The vignette is available to buy at the border and most petrol stations. Heavy fines are imposed for non-compliance. In one way streets, parking is on the left only. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

15 CROATIA A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A reflective jacket within easy reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. A tow bar and tow rope. Use of spiked tyres is prohibited Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. Winter tyres, if you re driving between November April.

16 CROATIA CONTINUED Not all insurers cover driving in Croatia so check before you go if yours doesn t, you can buy temporary cover at the main border crossings and some smaller crossings. You might have to pay motorway tolls, depending where you travel within Croatia. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available at most filling stations, along with Super leaded (98 Octane). Petrol in a can is forbidden. Children under age 12 can t travel in the front seat. Children under age 2 must be seated on a suitable child seat. The drink driving limit is zero so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving. Never go off-road in rural areas without an experienced guide you run the risk of coming across landmines and unexploded devices. You must use dipped headlights at all times. You can get emergency road advice in English by dialling 987. During the tourist season you can also get traffic updates at 98.5FM. Speed limits vary across Croatia, so check the signposts for maximum speeds. Cars coming onto a roundabout have right of way. School buses and public transport vehicles always have right of way when pulling out. Don t drive on tram lines. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. You should only use your horn in an emergency. In mountainous areas you have right of way driving uphill. The authorities at the frontier must certify any visible damage to a vehicle entering Croatia and a certificate obtained; this must be produced when leaving the country. Radar detectors are forbidden. There have been reports of gangs pulling over at the side of the road and pretending to be in trouble, then robbing those who stop to help them so be careful! automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

17 CYPRUS A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. 2 warning triangles inside the car in case you breakdown. Vehicle lights must be used between half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sun rise Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. You drive on the left and overtake on the right. You won t have to pay motorway tolls in Cyprus. Unleaded Petrol and diesel are readily available. You can t get LPG or leaded petrol. Petrol in a can is forbidden. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 80kph on open roads and 100kph on motorways. The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml). If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine however, they cannot collect them. If you re driving in the south of Cyprus, you may not be insured to drive in the north if you do want to travel between the two, make sure you have all the appropriate paperwork. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. You shouldn t use your horn between 10pm 6am or near hospitals. Children under age 10 can t sit in the front and must use an appropriate child restraint in the back. If a driver flashes their lights at you, they want you to give way. If you have an accident, you mustn t move the car until police say you can. You mustn t eat or drink while driving. Smoking in the car with anyone under 16 is prohibited. Please note that is valid in the South of Cyprus only. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

18 CZECH REPUBLIC A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. If you don t have a photo card licence, you ll need an International Driving Permit you can get this from the Post Office. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates (number-plates that show a circle of 12 stars on a blue background). Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A motorway sticker if you re driving on the motorway you can buy this at the border and at larger petrol stations. Spare bulbs and spare fuses for your car s external lights. A reflective jacket within reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. Winter tyres or snow chains, if you re driving between November and April. Spiked tyres are prohibited. Motorway tax must be paid. Dipped headlights during the day are compulsory. If you usually wear glasses or contact lenses, you must carry a spare pair with you in the car. Be 18 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. It is forbidden to smoke whilst driving. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company.

19 CZECH REPUBLIC CONTINUED Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. Leaded petrol contains a lead-replacement additive. You can also get Super Leaded (98 Octane) and Special (91 Octane). Up to 10 litres in a can is permitted. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 90kph on open roads and 130kph on motorways. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The drink driving limit is zero so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving. You must use dipped headlights at all times. Children under 12 or less than 1.5m tall can t sit in the front unless they have an appropriate seat restraint. A child seated in the front where the airbag is activated must face the front. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. 50m before a level crossing, a driver should not exceed 30 kph. Vehicles with a max speed of 80 km/h or under are not permitted to travel on motorways. The authorities at the frontier must certify any visible damage to a vehicle entering the Czech Republic. If any damage occurs inside the country a police report must be obtained at the scene of the accident. Damaged vehicles may only be taken out of the country on production of this evidence. The use of an audible warning device is only permitted in built up areas to avoid imminent danger, they are prohibited between 8pm and 6am. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

20 DENMARK A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Be 17 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle and as a passenger. Spare bulbs. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. Reflective jacket Children under three years must be in a restraint system adapted to their size. Children over three and less than 1.35m must be seated in a child restraint system suitable for their height and weight. A child must not be placed in the front seat with their back to the road if the airbag is active.

21 DENMARK CONTINUED You don t have to pay motorway tolls in Denmark although you do have to pay a toll for the Oresund and Storebaelt bridges. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. Leaded petrol contains a lead-replacement additive. Petrol in a can is permitted but is forbidden on ferries. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 40 kph in Central Copenhagen, 80kph on open roads and 110kph on motorways (with some signed stretches at 130kph). If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine and the offence can be reported to the UK authorities. The drink driving limit is 49mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml). You must use dipped headlights at all times. You must indicate when changing lanes. A line of triangles means you must give way. You should only use your side lights when waiting at a level crossing. Buses always have priority. Cycling is very popular and cyclists often have right of way so it s important to keep an eye out for cycle lanes when you re turning right. Radar detectors are prohibited Right hand drive vehicles must have wing mirrors on both sides. Private cars must be equipped with an exterior side mirror and an interior rear view mirror. In towns, horns may only be used in an emergency. Merge in turn when entering motorways automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

22 FRANCE A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo card and paper counterpart. A GB sticker clearly displayed on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates A copy of your motor insurance certificate. Third Party insurance is compulsory. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A warning triangle and reflective jacket for use if you break down or have to pull over to change a wheel or deal with any other problems. If you don t have these, you could be fined around 90. From 1st November 2012*, all motorists (excluding mopeds) must carry a certified breathalyser showing an NF number. The French Authorities state that one unused certified breathalyser must be produced. We recommend that two single-use breathalysers are carried, so if one is used or damaged you will still have a replacement to produce. Drivers and Passengers of motorcycles over 125cc or a motor tricycle over 15 KW/h must wear reflective clothing when riding their vehicles. Snow chains to be used on snow-covered roads. Dipped headlights to be used in poor visibility. Motorcycles must have their dipped headlights on all of the time. Be 18 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. *Effective from 1st July 2012, enforced from 1st November 2012.

23 FRANCE CONTINUED You ll have to pay motorway tolls - often these are automated barriers, so take plenty of change. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available at most filling stations. You can also find lead replacement petrol (LRP) it s called Super Carburant. Children under 10 can t travel in the front seat. The speed limit is 50kph in towns, kph on open roads and kph on motorways. If you re caught speeding, you could be given a hefty on-the-spot fine and your car and licence could be confiscated there and then. For EU License holders, breaking the speed limit may result in your licence being confiscated. The drink-driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. You should only use your horn in an emergency. If you want the car in front to give way, flash your headlights. In built-up areas, if there s no yellow diamond sign, you must give way to any cars coming out of a side turning on the right. The last car in a queue of slow-moving traffic must use their hazard lights as a warning. Parking discs for blue zone parking areas can be obtained from police stations, tourist offices and some shops. Fixed speed camera Points of Interest (PoI) function should be deactivated. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

24 GEORGIA A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. An International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. Spark plugs, wiper blades, a fan belt and other basic spares. Children under age 7 must use a suitable child restraint. The speed limit is 60kph in built-up areas and 80kph elsewhere, unless otherwise signposted. The drink driving limit is zero so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving. Avoid driving at night where possible as roads can be in a poor state and some local drivers can be rather erratic. Heavy rain and flooding can cause problems for drivers so be prepared. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

25 GERMANY A valid UK driving licence both the photo card and paper counterpart. A GB sticker displayed clearly on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Copy of your motor insurance certificate. A warning triangle to use if you break down or need to pull over to change a wheel or deal with any other problems. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way). Winter tyres are mandatory in snowy conditions. Be 18 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions.

26 GERMANY CONTINUED You don t generally have to pay motorway tolls in Germany. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. You won t be able to find lead replacement petrol (LRP) but you can buy a lead additive substitute to put in your fuel tank. Petrol in a can is permitted but is forbidden on ferries. Children under 12 or less than 1.5m tall can t travel in the front seat without a suitable child restraint. Unless the airbag has been deactivated, it is prohibited to use a child seat in the front. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas. There s no official speed limit on motorways but a top speed of around 130kph is generally recommended. In all other areas it s 100kph unless the signs say otherwise. Vehicles using motorways must have a top speed of at least 60kph. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. Blinking yellow lights at a junction mean you have to stop. If you re involved in an accident, it s illegal to leave the scene without getting help or offering assistance. If it s just your car in the accident, you must wait there for at least 30 minutes. The drink driving limit is 50mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for most drivers (less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml). If you re under 21 or have held your licence for less than two years, you can t drink alcohol at all before driving. If you are found to be over the limit, it will result in a fine and a ban from driving in Germany. Using dipped headlights is recommended at all times and it s compulsory to use them in rain, snow or fog. Using side lights only is not allowed. Dipped lights are compulsory for motorcycles. You can t overtake a school bus if it s slowing down and getting ready to stop. Some cities have green zones and you need a special badge before you can drive in them. You can get a badge by taking your car and V5 registration document to a range of outlets such as a repair centre or car dealership in these cities. Badges cost around 5/10 and last for the lifetime of the car. In built-up areas, if there s no yellow diamond sign, you must give way to any cars coming out of a side turning on the right. Fines are given on-the-spot. Colour coded vignettes are required for emission zones. Spiked tyres are prohibited automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

27 GREECE A valid, full UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Compulsory for motorcyclists to use dipped headlights in poor daytime visibility. Be 17 or over. Wear your seatbelt when travelling in the front of the car it s advisable to wear one in the back too. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company.

28 GREECE CONTINUED You might have to pay motorway tolls these are usually payable in cash so take plenty of change with you. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. Petrol and diesel are readily available at most filling stations, along with Super 2002 which contains a lead-replacement additive. You can t get LPG for private cars. Don t let your tank get too low petrol stations usually close in the evenings and on Sundays. Children under age 10 can t travel in the front seat without a suitable seat restraint. If using child restraints in the front seat, air bags should be deactivated. Children age 5 and under must use an appropriate seat restraint at all times. The speed limit is 50kph in towns, 110kph on open roads and 120kph on motorways. The speed limit for motorcycles is 40kph in built up areas, 70kph on open roads and 90kph on motorways. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given a fine but you won t have to pay it on the spot. The drink-driving limit is 25mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood for most drivers lower than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. If you ve held your licence for two years or less, the limit is 10mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. Many roads are three lanes wide, one lane going each way and a middle lane for passing from either direction. Where there s little room to overtake, faster drivers will expect other drivers to pull over at the side of the road so they can pass. You should only use your horn in an emergency. If you have an accident and you have a camera to hand, you re expected to photograph anyone involved in the incident, plus any potholes or damage in the road. If you re approaching traffic lights and they re about to change to red, check your rear-view mirror locals may well speed up to get through. For the same reason, be careful pulling away when the lights change to green you might find there are still cars coming the other way. Cars are recommended to use snow chains in snowy/icy weather. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises travellers not to hire motorbikes, mopeds or scooters but if you must, there are a few things you need to be aware of: You should check that your travel insurance covers you for the relevant activity (for more advice see travel insurance) and you should note that failure to wear a crash helmet might invalidate your travel insurance if you are involved in an accident. If you intend to hire a moped you should be aware that you would require a valid driving licence with at least category A1 - light motorcycle for this purpose. Category P, which is valid in the UK for driving mopeds up to 50cc is not valid in Greece. Greek law requires you to wear a crash helmet on a scooter, moped or motorcycle. You may be arrested if you do not. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

29 HUNGARY A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. If you don t have a photo card licence, you ll need an International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car even if your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A reflective jacket within reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. Snow chains can be compulsory. Spiked tyres are prohibited. Be 17 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. You will have to pay tolls for some motorways you ll be given a sticker to put in your car as proof of payment. Petrol, diesel and LPG are readily available. You can t get leaded petrol. Petrol in a can is permitted up to 10 litres. Speed limits vary across Hungary, so check the signposts for maximum speeds. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine. The drink driving limit is zero so there must be no alcohol in your blood when driving. You must use dipped headlights during the day outside built-up areas. It s illegal to use full-beam lights in built-up areas at night. You shouldn t use your horn except in cases of extreme danger. Children less than 1.5m tall can t sit in the front unless they have an appropriate seat restraint. If you re taking your own car to Hungary and the body is damaged, it s wise to get a police report confirming the damage when you enter the country otherwise, police will query this with you when you leave. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

30 IRELAND A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate. Third party insurance is compulsory. Dipped headlights are compulsory during the day for Motorcycles. Dipped headlights should be used in poor daytime visibility. Be 17 or over. Wear your seatbelt at all times (this applies to everyone in the car). Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A warning triangle. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. You have to pay tolls for some motorways most don t take credit cards so make sure you ve got some change. Petrol, diesel, LPG and lead replacement petrol (LRP) are readily available. Petrol in a can is permitted but forbidden on a ferry. Children under 12 and less than 1.5m tall must use a suitable seat restraint. The speed limit is 50kph in built-up areas, 80kph on regional and local roads, 100kph on national roads and 120kph on motorways. It s illegal to carry or use any radar detection equipment. If you have a GPS navigation system that shows you where any fixed speed cameras are, you must deactivate this function. Don t use your horn between 11.30pm - 7am. Fines are payable within 28 days and go up by 50% after. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less

31 ITALY A valid UK driving licence both the photo and paper parts. If you don t have a photo card licence, you ll need an International Driving Permit. A GB sticker on the back of your car unless your car has Euro-plates Your motor insurance certificate and V5 registration document or hire car paperwork. Third party insurance is compulsory. A warning triangle inside the car in case you breakdown. Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights when you re driving on the right, so your lights don t dazzle motorists coming the other way), or mechanically adjusted headlamps set to neutral. A reflective jacket within reach inside the car. You ll need to wear this if you stop for any reason outside built-up areas or where there s poor visibility, even if you re just setting up a warning triangle. Snow chains and winter tyres if you re driving in the Val d Aosta region between 15 October 15 April. Be 18 or over. Make sure everyone in the car wears a seatbelt at all times. Wear a crash helmet if you re riding a motorcycle. Spare bulbs for your car s external lights. A Green Card it s a useful back-up to your motor insurance documents and shows you ve got the minimum legal level of cover. If you d like to find out more, contact your insurance company. A Camping Card International to give you additional proof of identity, third party liability insurance, plus discounts at a wide range of campsites and tourist attractions.

32 ITALY CONTINUED You will have to pay tolls for most motorways. Petrol (unleaded and lead replacement), diesel and LPG are readily available. Petrol in a can is permitted. Speed limits vary across Italy, so check the signposts for maximum speeds. On toll roads, police often monitor timings between tolls to make sure drivers aren t speeding. If you re caught committing a driving offence, you ll be given an on-the-spot fine these are usually around and are payable in cash. The drink driving limit is 51mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood less than the UK limit of 80mg per 100ml. You must use dipped headlights during the day on motorways, dual carriageways and out-of-town roads. If you re driving in cities, watch out for motorbikes and scooters they often don t follow the rules of the road. You shouldn t use your horn in built-up areas except in cases of extreme danger. Outside built-up areas, use your horn to let someone know you want to pass them. Children under age 4 must use a suitable child restraint. Children aged 4-12 can t sit in the front unless they have an appropriate seat restraint. If you hire a car, check your insurance carefully. You might not be covered for accidents unless a third party is involved (so you wouldn t be covered if you drove into a wall) and you might not be covered against fire and theft in some areas. It s illegal to carry any radar detection equipment, whether or not it s switched on. Be careful at motorway service stations and rest stops as thieves often operate in these areas. It s also wise to be wary of anyone offering to help if you get a flat tyre there have been reports of people puncturing tyres deliberately. Private and hire cars can t drive in the centre of many historic Italian cities. If your hotel is in one of these cities, you can buy a short-term pass from most hire car companies but this is only valid for that particlar city. These no-drive zones are usually marked with signs saying ZTL in black on a yellow background. If you drive past one of these signs your number plate will automatically be recorded and if you don t have a pass you ll be given a fine. AREA C (formerly Eco-pass): A pollution charge levied in the centre of Milan. Charges apply Mon-Fri and from 7.30am until 7.30pm. Drivers must purchase an eco-pass before entering the restricted zone. Tariffs vary according to the emissions of the vehicle. Mopeds and motorcycles are exempt. If you re carrying an overhanging load (like a bike on the back of your car) you must have a 50cmx50cm red and white striped reflective panel. automatically entitled to, which includes is available for ŠKODA vehicles that are less