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(1)
Minimum age at which a visitor may drive temporarily imported car
or, with the exception of Sweden where it is 17, a motorcycle.
If driving a minibus contact the Community Transport Association
on 0845 130 6195 for minimum age and documentation requirements.
NOTE You must always carry your original driving licence with you
(if photocard – photocard and counterpart) when driving abroad.
(2) UK
driving licences which do not incorporate photograph are recognised
in Austria but, in the event of an accident, holder must be able
to produce another proof of identity e.g. passport (in Sweden such
licences are not recognised unless accompanied by photographic proof
of identity).
(3)
All valid UK driving licences should be accepted. This includes
the older all-green
style UK driving licences (in Northern Ireland older paper style
with photographic counterpart) although the EC appreciates that
these may be more difficult
to understand and that drivers may wish to voluntarily update them
before travelling abroad, if time permits. Application form D1 (in
Northern Ireland DL1) is available from most Post Officesâ. Alternatively,
older licences may be accompanied by an IDP.
(4) Before
taking a vehicle abroad (including any caravan or trailer) contact
your motor insurer or broker to notify them of your intentions,
and ask their advice. It is most important to know the level of
cover you will actually have and what documents you will need to
prove it.
(5) UK
registration plates displaying the GB Euro-symbol (Europlates) became
a legal option from 21 March 2001, but they must comply with the
new British Standard (BS AU 145d). These plates make display of
a conventional sticker unnecessary when circulating within the EU.
The Europlate is only legally recognised in the EU; it is still
a requirement to display a GB sticker when travelling outside the
EU.
(6) A
warning triangle is not required for two-wheeled vehicles.
(7) Although
not compulsory for visiting UK motorists to carry a warning triangle
its use is compulsory in an accident/breakdown situation.
(8) One
warning triangle compulsory for non-Spanish registered vehicles;
two for
Spanish registered vehicles. NOTE Drivers of non-Spanish registered
vehicles should consider carrying two triangles as, regardless of
the regulations, local
officials may impose on-the-spot fine if only one available.
(9)
The use of hazard warning lights or a warning triangle is compulsory
in an accident/breakdown situation. However, a warning triangle
should always be carried as hazard warning lights have no effect
at bends or rises in the road and may of course become damaged or
inoperative.
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(10)
Wearing compulsory if driver and/or passenger(s) exits vehicle immobilised
on carriageway – in Italy at night or in poor visibility, in Spain
on all motorways and main or busy roads.
(11) It
is a wise precaution to equip your vehicle with a first-aid kit/fire
extinguisher, even when it is not a compulsory requirement. NOTE
A fire extinguisher is not regarded as a practical item for two-wheeled
vehicles.
(12)
Regardless of local requirements it is always a wise precaution
to carry
a spare set of vehicle bulbs and adjust headlamp beams for driving
on the
right. A spare bulb kit will not prevent a fine if you are travelling
with faulty lights, but it may avoid the cost and inconvenience
of a garage call out. On some cars it is inadvisable or impossible
for anyone other than a qualified technician to change a headlamp
bulb or lamp unit e.g. high intensity discharge (HID) headlamps
and carrying spare bulbs is not an option. However, it is recommended
that spare bulbs are carried for any lights which may be easily
and/or safely replaced by the owner/driver. Headlamp
beam adjustment for older vehicles can be done using simple adhesive
masks on the headlamp glass. For newer vehicles with HID, zenon
or many halogen headlamps it is not so easy. Check out what you
must do well before your departure by contacting a dealer for your
make of vehicle. Without adjustment the dipped beam will dazzle
oncoming drivers and this could result in a fine. In some countries
it is compulsory to use dipped headlights at all times when driving
during the day. NOTE This adjustment is not required for two-wheeled
vehicles as the beam pattern is more symmetrical, but check that
any extra loading has not affected the beam height.
(13)
Children under ages shown and/or 1.5 metres in height are not
generally permitted to occupy a front seat unless using an approved
restraint system – check. And remember, never fit a rearward facing
child restraint in a seat with a frontal airbag.
(14) The
practice of spot checks on foreign vehicles is widespread; be sure that
your documents are in order and readily available for inspection.
(15) Police
not authorised to actually collect fines, which must be paid in
accordance with the notice instructions. In Italy Police will collect
a quarter of the maximum fine amount from drivers of foreign registered
vehicles.
(16)
With the spare bulbs must be the tools to change them.
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