When Driving On The Continent, It Is Important To Plan Your Journey Well In Advance Using Detailed R

Thousands of Irish holidaymakers are planning to take to the roads and head for the continent to enjoy a summer break. To ensure they have an enjoyable and safe trip, here are a few pointers they might want to follow to make their holiday a success.

Remember to take all your official documentation, including your full driving licence, registration documents, motor insurance certificate and passport. Take a copy of these papers and leave them at home, in case you lose the official ones.

Make sure that you are displaying an IRL car sticker, especially if you are driving outside the EU. If it is your car, ensure it is checked over by a qualified mechanic before you leave for holiday.

For safety, always ensure you have any necessary spares like tyres and light bulb replacements as well as a warning triangle in the boot of the car in case of an accident or the vehicle breaks down.

Remember to shop around for the best breakdown cover when driving abroad as Irish motor breakdown cover will not apply once you have left the country.

Ensure you have a visa if you need one and that your drivers licence is legally valid to drive through the countries you are intending to travel. In most countries, an Irish driving licence is acceptable for a stay of up to 12 months, but in countries such as Japan, travellers will need an International Driving Permit as well as their driving licence.

When driving on the continent, it is important to plan your journey well in advance using detailed road maps and marking key stopping points and refuelling stations along the route. Bear in mind that not all countries will have petrol stations that stay open 24 hours a day, so keep this in consideration.

Check the laws of the roads you are going to be travelling on before you leave especially speed limits and which side they drive. Most of this information can be found online. Drive carefully and with concentration if it is the first time driving on the wrong side of the road.

Check that you have adequate travel insurance cover as it is important to note that Irish embassies or the Department of Foreign Affairs do not pay medical or hospital bills or repatriation expenses for Irish citizens involved in a medical emergency abroad. Do not forget to take your European Health Insurance Card for accessing public system healthcare in EU or EEA countries.