Tips For Driving Abroad
The blog this week is our driving abroad essential tips to keep you safe and fully prepared on the roads this summer in your Volvo or Toyota. Everyone is trying to save money at the moment, interest rates are rising, fuel bills are rising, food costs are soaring, insurance costs are rising etc so when it comes to owning a car, we need all the help we can get to keep costs down. Read on to find out more:
It is totally normal to feel nervous or apprehensive but being fully prepared will ensure that you are a confident driver and will make your journey a lot better and more enjoyable.
If you are driving your own car then you will feel totally at ease with all its functionality, but you will have to adapt to being on the other side of
the road and the speed limits being in kilometres. Make sure that you know the laws of the country/countries you will be driving in with reference to carrying your relevant documents, such as driving licence, insurance documents, passport, rental paperwork, V5 etc and what you need in the car if you are unfortunate to suffer a breakdown. For example carrying a warning triangle, hi vis jacket, first aid kit etc. So, do your research before you leave the UK or you could face a fine. It does go without saying – make sure that you have fully checked over your car before you take it abroad. If it has been a while since you have been to your local independent garage it may be advisable to get checked in for a service or health check. If you are not going to take it to the garage at the very least check all your fluid levels and check your tyre pressures. Do you know what to do in the event that you break down in a different country? Make sure that you have all the numbers that you need to call to hand. If you are driving a hire car, take the time to get used to where all the relevant buttons and gadgets are such as the lights, indicators, wiper blades etc before starting out on your journey. Getting the hang quickly that the gear stick is on the other side of you is also advisable. Some people prefer to have an automatic for this very reason. Do not load up your car so that your visibility is restricted out of the rear and side windows.
Planning your journey and frequent rest breaks is also a good thing to do. If you have a European sat nav this would be very handy. Some rental companies give you this as an optional extra – take advantage of that as there is nothing worse than being lost in a foreign country. However, a lot of people now use their maps on their phones because their data is usable in Europe on their phone plans – just make sure that you have an in car charger with you.
Make sure that you have plenty of water in the car to stay hydrated. If you
have young children in the car, make sure that you have plenty of things to keep them occupied and that you have plenty of snacks to hand. Much like you would if you were going on a road trip in the UK. Sunglasses and sunscreen are essential things to keep handy also. Leave plenty of space between you and the car in front and be mindful that you and others will be joining motorways from the opposite side than you are used to. Roundabouts can be confusing as you will be driving anti clock-wise and you will be giving way to the left. Don’t be afraid to stop and take stock before moving on. Less haste! We have written many blogs on driving in specific countries take a look at them and see if the country you are travelling to is there. Happy Safe Motoring Folks!
Here at ACC UK Ltd, Winners of The Motor Trader Independent Garage of The Year 2015, 2019 & 2020, The IGA Big Awards 2022, The Inspire Customer Service Excellence 2016 Award, The Eagle Radio Customer Focus 2017 Business Award, The Workshop Magazine Workshop Manager of the Year 2017 Award, The LiveWire Excellence In Vehicle Servicing 2019 Award and The Aftermarket Excellence Award for Best Website 2019, The Eagle Radio Biz Award – Entrepreneur of the Year 2020 & the SME News Magazine Most Trusted Car Servicing Provider 2020, we pride ourselves on offering an outstanding customer experience for a fraction of the cost of a dealership. Give us a call and let us quote you for your next service or repair on your Volvo or Toyota. We service all areas around Farnborough, Fleet, Aldershot, Farnham, Guildford, Frimley, Camberley, Hook, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Yateley, Hampshire and Surrey. We offer free collection and drop off services. We also have a fleet of courtesy cars to allow you to get on with your schedule whilst your Volvo or Toyota is with us. Happy Motoring from all at ACC UK Ltd – Independent Volvo & Toyota servicing, repair and MOT specialists based in the heart of Farnborough, Hampshire
