Driving in Europe

Information on road safety equipment and the European requirements for driving on the Continent.

Please note that, depending on which country you plan to visit, you will require some or all of the following motoring equipment to ensure you remain legal when driving in Europe.

For more information, check out the link below

Headlamp Adaptors

  • Your vehicle’s headlamps are designed for driving in the UK on the left hand side of the road. Consequently, when driving in Europe on the right, you will dazzle oncoming drivers, which is illegal. This must be prevented by adapting your headlamps.

Warning Triangle

  • If your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident, you should place a warning triangle 50-100 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic. The use of hazard lights alone is not sufficient in certain situations, for example an accident on a blind corner. Spain requires 2 triangles.

GB Plate

  • UK registered vehicles displaying Euro-Plates - a circle of 12 stars above the national identifier on blue background - no longer need a GB sticker when driving in Europe Union Countries.

Spare Bulbs

  • All lamps, including lenses and reflectors must be in working order, even during daylight hours. Failure to be in a position to replace a blown exterior bulb could result in an on the spot fine.

First Aid Kit & Fire Extinguisher

  • The European Good Samaritan Law requires every driver to stop and provide assistance when encountering an accident or incident, providing it is safe to do so. This may require a first aid kit and fire extinguisher and is therefor advisable to carry these.

Reflective Vest

  • Anybody providing roadside assistance, or leaving a stranded vehicle should always wear a reflective vest to ensure their own safety. These must be carried in the car and not the boot area as you need to wear them when getting out of the vehicle.

Breathalyser kits

  • It is required by law that all motorists carry portable breathalyser equipment when travelling through France. The kits should cost around €2 each and will be available from ferry ports. They can be bought online in the UK but must carry the French approval stamp. You will need at least 2 of these kits to enable 1 to be available at all times.