Protecting Your Vehicle When Driving In Europe This Summer 

Driving holidays are such a popular option for couples and families who want to avoid the chaos of airports. With so much beautiful scenery to see throughout Europe, it’s certainly an enjoyable option too. However, that being said there are always precautions you should take to ensure that you are safe during your road trip holiday. Whether you’re travelling several days across multiple countries, visiting friends and family abroad, or simply hopping onto the ferry over to France, these safety tips are not to be missed. 

Check the driving rules of each country you will be driving through 

Throughout Europe, laws can differ significantly from one country to the next and it’s important that you are aware of any particular rules or restrictions that may apply to your journey. For example, in some countries the law requires you to carry certain documents such as your passport or vehicle registration at all times when travelling by car. When leaving for a new country by car, you should carry all your vehicle documentation, relevant visas, passports etc. with you in a safe travel document holder. 

Other items required by law may include high vis jackets, fire extinguishers, first aid kits, and warning triangles. 

You should also familiarise yourself with basic road signs and words that will help you when travelling on foreign roads. Of course, you don’t have to be fluent in a language to understand the road system, but knowing signs and words like ‘exit’ and ‘dead end’ would certainly be useful. 

Make a travel pack of essentials

Always make sure you have the essentials in your car with you before setting off, such as bottled water and snacks. It’s also important to carry a spare tyre, wheel jack, jump leads, cable ties, and a selection of tools that can be used for small repairs or emergencies. While you may be a confident driver, driving in a new country will always pose new challenges, so it is incredibly important to be vigilant, preparing yourself for all circumstances. 

Service your car before you leave 

Before any long journey, it is always important to get your car serviced. This should include having the oil changed, the brakes checked and replaced if needed, and ensure all lights function correctly. You also want to make sure that you check your tires for tread depth, air pressure and age before setting off. If you’re worried about breaking down while travelling abroad, be sure to take out additional travel insurance that covers you for driving a car or add extra cover to your existing breakdown policy. 

Check your car insurance policy 

It is important to check that you have adequate insurance cover before embarking on a European road trip, taking time to read the terms and conditions carefully. If your existing policy does not cover you while driving abroad, then there are likely to  be additional fees to pay. Many car insurers also offer extra European cover for a few days or weeks and it’s also worth considering taking out additional cover in case of theft or accident. 

Install a GPS tracker for extra peace of mind 

No matter where you are travelling, it is always beneficial to have an extra layer of security in place. Installing a GPS tracker on your car will give you peace of mind knowing that if anything happens to the vehicle, its exact location can be tracked. GPS trackers can provide real-time tracking and alert notifications for when the car  leaves a specific area. This can come in particularly handy if you are travelling far away from your home country and should provide an extra layer of security for your vehicle while abroad. 

At FitMyTracker we stock a wide range of GPS trackers for cars and other vehicle types. For more information and nationwide installation, do not hesitate to get in touch with our team.