Driving Abroad

Summer Safety Tips

For the summer season this year, many travelers will be traveling overseas, indulging in some well-deserved time spent exploring and relaxing abroad. Often, driving your car, or renting one, can make your holiday much more adventurous, allowing you to explore the road less traveled.

However, driving abroad can be taxing, as unfamiliar areas and variations in driving practices can leave even the most seasoned traveler wandering around searching for an elusive hotel. With time spent planning, along with a trusty GPS by your side, you can ensure that you spend more time enjoying the destination, rather than locating it.

Know the Laws Crossing international borders means you are held to a different set of traffic rules and regulations. Researching these laws before you depart will make your road trip as seamless as possible. Although speed limits will always be posted, there are other discrepancies that cannot be easily predicted. For example, if you want to pass a car in Spain, the law requests that you honk your horn during the day, or flash your headlights at night. Keep in mind that if you are pulled over and presented with a ticket in Spain, you will need to pay the fine on the spot – unless you can give a bail bond or the name and address of a Spaniard who will guarantee your fine.

Thus, as you can easily ascertain, taking time to conduct your research pertaining to the local road laws is an important part in planning your holiday journey. Make sure you know what the driver license requirements are for the countries you plan to visit. What are the speed limits, driving expectations, and even alcohol limits? The more you know, the better prepared you are for a smooth road trip abroad.

Research Driving Etiquette Akin to each country’s own culture and mannerisms, there exist different rules in driving etiquette. Before embarking upon your trip, research the different driving expectations to ensure that your trip – and interaction with local drivers – is pleasant. For example, whereas a trip to New York City would entail significant amounts of horn honking, in Germany, you should avoid honking the car horn, especially in the urban areas. In fact, in Germany, you should only honk the car horn if there is a real emergency.

Knowing the rules of the road – both dictated by law and etiquette – will ensure that your road trip remains a lovely experience.

Procure the Proper Insurance Coverage Before you pack your bags and fuel the car, make sure you have the appropriate insurance coverage for your trip. Do you need to extend your existing car insurance coverage for international destinations? Should you purchase breakdown coverage, protecting you and your family while you are on the road abroad? Make sure that your insurance coverage will protect both damages to the car and persons, ensuring that your assets are also protected in the long run.

Fit Your Car with the Appropriate Details Before you embark upon your road trip, make sure the oil, brake fluid, coolant, and tire pressures are at the appropriate levels.

Make sure you have your original registration, MOT, and insurance documents, but make photocopies of all these documents to leave at home. In addition, if you are traveling from the UK, obtain the GB identity sticker for your automobile.

Renting a GPS Device While Abroad Taking the opportunity to rent a GPS device can make your holiday completely seamless. If you're planning a dream ski trip in the Swiss Alps, for instance, having a rented GPS on hand can not only help you navigate your way on the road from the airport to your chalet, but can even assist you in finding the most exhilarating double black diamond while actually skiing at the resort.

Whether you are headed throughout Europe, or planning a road trip through the USA or Australia, renting a GPS device allows you to focus on the joys of your vacation – instead of the headaches of navigating through foreign roads. You can also include spontaneity into your road trip with a GPS device, allowing you to take an interesting turn – without the fear of getting lost.

Taking the time to plan ahead in your holiday road trip – and equipping your vacation with a GPS device – ensures that your vacation gives you the relaxation you deserve.