A holiday warning has been issued over massive fines you could get while driving abroad this summer. UK tourists planning to motor through Europe should be aware of potential heavy fines if they’re caught unprepared, the motormatch.com website has warned.
It says: “UK drivers abroad need to ensure they are fully prepared with the required equipment when driving in Europe. Items such as a warning triangle, a high-visibility jacket, and a first aid kit are essentials.” Also, on the list is a magnetic UK sticker. Brits need to display a UK sticker clearly on their vehicle if the number plate has a GB identifier with the Union Flag, a Euro symbol, a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales and numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier.
They add: “In Europe, If Brits drive without the correct sticker, they will be given a €140 or £120 fine while on the continent. “Every driver should double-check their paperwork before heading overseas. A valid driving licence, car insurance details, and vehicle registration documents are needed at all times. Missing any of these could significantly disrupt your plans and result in fines up to €750. It’s better to be over-prepared than to face any delays.
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“As of April 1, 2024, the DVLA requires that anyone seeking an International Driving Permit must visit a participating PayPoint location, equipped with their full valid photo-card licence, a standard passport photograph, and possibly a valid passport if they have an older paper version licence. This new procedure is a departure from the past and underscores the need for drivers to be thoroughly prepared before heading to their PayPoint location.
“Not every country requires an International Driving Permit, but for over 140 countries that do, including key destinations like Turkey, Mexico, Canada, and Australia, being prepared with the correct type of IDP is crucial for lawful and hassle-free driving.”
Theya dded: “While using sat-navs, drivers must be aware of restrictions. In countries like France and Cyprus, sat-navs are prohibited and can lead to fines as high as €1,500 as they make drivers aware of speed cameras. It may be worth looking into whether you can turn the speed camera detection feature off.”
“UK vehicles are designed for left-hand traffic, so when driving in countries where you must drive on the right, adjusting your headlights is crucial to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic,” they said. “Headlamp converters, which adjust your headlights for driving on the right side of the road, are readily available and can be easily installed. It’s important to remove these converters once you return to the UK. If you’re caught driving in France without these adjustments, you could face an immediate €90 fine.”