Now is the time when our thoughts turn to holidays and we start to wonder if we might take a trip to Europe in the Motorhome this year. Great if you do but my advice is to plan carefully prior to the trip.
It goes without saying that as in any other long distance trip you would make in the UK you need to check all of the essentials such as tyres, water, oil, gas bottle levels etc before setting off for a long haul accross Europe. For those of you who are experienced continental travellers then you should already be aware of some of the regulations in the various countries and how easy it is to fall into the illegal trap.
The Caravan Club and the Camping and Caravanning Club have excellent information on their web sites and members can always give them a call if you are in any doubt on a country by country basis. There are also the RAC and AA web sites to look at. Halfords used to have a free booklet that you could get in their shops where all the travelling in Europe material is shelved and these may still be available. There are also a number of books that explain the country by country regulations and these can be bought at all booksellers and again the Caravan Club have two very good ones that cover Europe.
The information below is a guide only and you must double check before you travel through Europe because things change all of the time.
What I will do here is to summarize the regulations for the key countries that we tend to travel in;
France :
- High visibility vests are compulsory for each occupant. This is because they must be worn if you break down on a motorway and then have to leave your Motorhome
- A warning triangle is compulsory and must be used in the event of a breakdown
- Headlight beam deflectors are compulsory
- Spare bulbs are recommended
- First aid kit is recommended
- Fire extinguisher is recommended
Italy :
- High visibility vests are compulsory for each occupant. This is because they must be worn if you break down on a motorway and then have to leave your Motorhome
- A warning triangle is compulsory and must be used in the event of a breakdown
- Headlight beam deflectors are compulsory
- Spare bulbs are recommended
- First aid kit is recommended
- Fire extinguisher is recommended
Spain :
- High visibility vests are compulsory for each occupant. This is because they must be worn if you break down on a motorway and then have to leave your Motorhome
- Two warning triangle’s are compulsory and both must be used in the event of a breakdown, one set back from the other
- Headlight beam deflectors are compulsory
- Spare bulbs are compulsory
- First aid kit is recommended
- Fire extinguisher is recommended
- A spare pair of glasses for each driver is compulsory
It is also advisable to drive with dipped beam headlights on at all times in Europe nowadays, including during the day, because in some countries it is now illegal not to do so.
On top of these you should always take with you a valid passport, your Motorhome log book, a valid driving license and ensure you have valid Motorhome insurance. A GB sticker will need to be displayed if your Motorhome doesn’t have the new style EU numberplate with the blue stars on it. You should also take with you your European Health Insurance Card and if you don’t have one of these then apply online and it’s free. It’s also worth taking out holiday accident insurance just in case.
Please also ensure that if you have an MOT certificate for your Motorhome then it doesn’t run out whilst you are abroad because you will not be able to renew it until you get home.
I will repeat that it is very important that you check yourself prior to travelling and ensure you have everything. Please remember that if you do get stopped by the police in Europe and you are illegal in any way then they will make you pay an on the spot fine.
The problems arise when you travel through various countries to get to your destination so you need to make sure you have everything with you so that you are completely covered. If you go into Switzerland by the way you will also need to purchase a vignette and they will sell you one at the Swiss customs – it’s a form of road tax that covers you whilst you drive on the Swiss roads.
I do hope this information has helped and I’d be very grateful for any advice you seasoned European travellers would be willing to give the rest of us.
Happy planning and of course have an enjoyable and safe trip.
