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I'm just wondering what requirements you would need to drive round europe.
Me and a mate are planning a road trip round Europe when we get our cars, and are going to invite some friends along, but what do we need?
Say if we already have a full UK driving licence, is there another licence that you would need to apply for?
I know you will need your passport too, (and other obvious stuff, cash, spare wheels etc etc).
But is there any other legal documents you would need to take/apply for?
Thanks
If it is in the EU then afaik all you need is your passport, both parts of driving licence, insurance details, thats it afaik. Varies outside of the EU though
You need a car :)
Also check your insurance policy covers driving around Europe.
If I were you I'd concentrating on passing your test, getting a car and gaining experience first!
duh :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Howard
Thanks for the info guys.
Howard, Getting a job sorted to save up for the car ;), concentrating on passing my test... well I can't legally drive yet, but I'm still learning to drive (in a far far place where no man has gone before....), heheh. Anyway, that will help me out for my test too, plus a bit of experience.
As soon as I pass my test I won't be heading straight to europe, it's just a nice little plan for me and my mates to dream up :D.. at least for the moment.
Well when you've passed, hop on a ferry to France :D
Underground in the car ftw.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
There are various funny rules for driving in Europe, and they vary from country to country. For example, you're required to carry a breakdown triangle in lots of countries (even two of them in a few I believe). Your headlights should not dip to the right, etc. etc.
http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/
When I'm on a booze cruise I just risk it, but for a longer trip you'd be well advised to follow the rules IMO.
I have been driving for over 10 years and driving around Europe still scares the crap out of me often. I would get a good year or more experience before you play dodge the pissed spainish people with no brakes while negotiating the most insane amount of hairpin corners you could ever imagine.
Also, i think the insurance for driving in Europe in your first few qualified years (and especially under 25) will be very expensive.
You also need to get very good breakdown cover if it's you own car. Never skimp on this and definatly don't rely on the cheap cut down packages your insurance company will give you with your policy.
Not trying to put a downer on things, it would be a great laugh. But your right to ask these questions in advance. I know so many people who have real nightmares because they have gone unprepared.
dangerous_dom: Yeah, I full understand that. I'm just trying to plan all this ahead so I don't jump in head first not knowing what's going on, and not knowing what to do IF things do go wrong.
So, from some of the posts.. do you guys think it would be better to get the cars on a Ferry or just take the underground? I'd rather drive underground because it should be cheaper, but Pyle said it's hard to steer on the rails?.. :confused:
So yeah, I don't want to be throwing tons of money away either though.
Thanks
I may be wrong, but i think he was taking the micky because from what you are saying, it sounds like you think you can drive through the channel tunnel. But you go on a train ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
All insurance policies give you third party only insurance cover within the EU. This is a rule. They may charge you extra for a 'green card' or for additional countries or different types of policy.
Personally I reccomend you visit Sopot in Poland.
As for whats cheaper, it depends really. There is often deals on and it also depends on how many people are going with you etc. Pros and cons to both, its quicker but the chunnel only goes to france ;)
lmao, ok, thanks for clearing that up. Pyle can never post without trying to make a joke out of something :p.Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerous_dom
I don't really mind about that anyway, when I get my car, I'll be putting my name as an additional driver on my dads policy, so it will be cheaper for me, but it will be 3rd party cover probably anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by TeePee
Yeah, tunnel to start in France and make our way through Europe ;). Well, there will be 2 cars (mine and a friends), and bringing along with us... hmmm, say another 6 people, so 8 in total.Quote:
Originally Posted by dangerous_dom
Thanks
Someone who can read maps. The motorways in the Netherlands are like a blumming maze.
LMAO.. You get on the train and take the channel tunnel mate :thumbsup:Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
i did 3200 miles in a week about a month ago - in some countries you need to have been passed for a certain amount of time (2 years rings a bell).. did it all in a £50 car..
You should also book a hotel near the Nurburgring in advance :)
Nox
What about GPS?Quote:
Originally Posted by Theo
of course ;) ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Nox
You'll need a medi-kit and a fire extinguisher in most places too.
gps is useless in much of europe cos lots of it aint mapped.
I can't see been checked for that, but it's probably one of the things I'd take anyhow.Quote:
Originally Posted by dkmech
I've seen lots of GPS devices that do the whole of Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5lab
Yep if you buy TomTom Europe you're set
Thought so. Thanks :p.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
Although GPS isn't cheap, I'll most definitly be buying it for Europe, even if I use it in the UK most of the time. I definitly can't be messing around with Maps and A-Z's :p
I dont see why anyone would ever need a map ever again if they have GPS. It's fantastic
name me one that covers all of poland, all of slovakia and all of latvia.Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
Well as Howard said, TomTom Europe aka TomTom Europe 700. Covers all of Europe.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5lab
Edit: Clarification; http://www.tomtom.com/products/secti...210&Language=1
Quote:
Coverage:
Western Europe with Poland and Czech Republic.
Postcode navigation for simple and accurate selection of your destination (UK & NL only)
30% czech, 18% poland, no slovakia and buggerall of eastern europe.
i looked into that exact product when planning my roadtrip, and its simply not up to the task. besides. maps are fun :)
8 people in 2 hatchbacks (i assume) for any period of time is gonna be hellish. Take this into account when youre buying your car, you want something with cruise control, comfy seats and an engine that isnt screaming away at 4k at motorway speeds, i.e, not a base model 1.1/1.2
I plan to get a 1.6 BMW.Quote:
Originally Posted by herulach
No, come on now, a 316 is entirely the worst car you could ever buy as your first, they really are crap, just because its a beamer does not make it good, youll have to buy a really old high mileage one to afford it and the insurance will be insane, get something good and new. (Focus, mondeo, 406 etc)Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
I somehow don't think he wants to go on a road trip to Poland or Romania or something anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by 5lab
thats fair enough, i was just making my point (btw, bratislava is beautiful..)
as for the bimmer.. i'd agree with the above points, get something bigger (bimmers are small in the back).. the list of cars you could choose from is endless.. we did ours in my old volvo 340, which was fun, but more than 2 of us would have been a pain..
finally, try and avoid motorways. a roads are nearly as quick, and you see a LOT more of the country
Hmm bit of an E36 fetish by the looks of it :P 316s are slooooow...Could do worse for a first car though (I think I'd take one over a Fiesta or something), but they're a bit dated. I'll have an M3 though :eek:
Herulach, what does your name mean? :p
Its my old MUD name, means 'Lord of the leaping flame' in elvish (tolkien) sad i know, but i started using as my name for everything, so i cant really change it now.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
In france if you have only had your licence for less than 2 years, you need to display '90' stickers and limit yourself to 90 kph, including motorways (where even the HGVs do 110).Quote:
Originally Posted by 5lab
Get a van.
Well, considering we are on the subject. What car do you think I should get for when I'm 17?.
Not to worry TOO much about insurance as it will be on my dads policy, but I don't want anything bigger than a 1.6.. possibly a 1.8 (but seriously... 1.8 is a very close no-no).
I like the BMW 316, because its a 1.6, and I just love the look of it, it's not the compact version I want, just a normal hatchback or coupé. And why is it slow? yeah it's a 1.6, but there is slower cars out there, is it because the 316 is the slowest out of the whole 3 series? if so I already know that..
Get something small and easy to drive like a Polo or something
Its not that slow, it just isnt as impressive as youll be hoping, and for the same price as a ten year old 416 you can get a 5 year old mondeo 2.0 ghia, which has everything you could need equipment wise (except sat nav) and a nicer engine. (god i sound like foxQuote:
Originally Posted by XA04
I bloody hate Polo's, I really like some Golf's though (not the old ones), but they cost too much.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
DId you not listen? a 1.6 at the most.Quote:
Originally Posted by herulach
I'm open for options, but I really want a e36. Budget is about £2500, and I want something preferbly big. Not too fussed about the size of the boot, as long as the car is big :D.
What's wrong with Polos? And why do you want a big car? An old BMW won't be terribly cheap to run I wouldn't have thought... At that age things will start going wrong... you're bettter off getting something smaller and overall easier to "handle" while you're learning to drive.. Then get your beloved BMW a year or so down the line when maybe you can afford a better example.
I don't know why people suggest such cars as 2l Mondeos as first cars... Bit OTT IMO.
How about a Focus? Ibiza? Megane? 306? Xsara?
What about a Vauxhall Vectra? I like them, but the safety on them is crap..
Fair enough.. Polo's, I just don't like the look of them, they're probably a good car but yeah.
Focus: Nice car, possible choice.
Ibiza: Love the new ones, -- too expensive. The old ones are ugly.
Megane: The new ones look terrible, the type you have Howard is OK, but I'd like something a big less rounded.
306: Again, lovely car, but they cost too much, and they seem a little bit small, but not bad, it's just the price, they cost too much.
Xsara: Havn't really thought of this car before, doesn't really seem my type of car.
the bimmer isnt a hatch - its a saloon - i dont know if they did the coupe in the 1.6, but if they did, the rear of it is tiny - really uncomfortable, even for short journeys..
in my opinion, the best car to get for a first car is a banger. something cheap with 12 months mot - and by cheap i mean <£200. spend £80 on aa cover (including tow you home stuff) and your sorted. why? however 'good' you think you are at driving, you aint. you're basically still learning, and statistically there is a 1 in 3 chance you will crash. you wont afford fully comp insurance, so best off getting a car where it doesnt matter what happens to it. at the end of the year, flog it or scrap it, doesnt matter. then buy your 'first' car, and yer insurance is cheaper too..
personally, i recon a punto is a good bet. failing that, a focus is in your price range, or a mondeo or similar.. if you want something 'cool', how about a saab or similar?
Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
Vectras are rather big... Too big for a first car IMHO. Why do you want such a big car?
306s aren't small... They're bigger than Polos. And what's not to like about the Polo's design? It's pretty neutral-looking.
What's "your type of car" besides big? Lol
5lab's right, don't get anything "mega" until you have some experience under your belt
Edit: Oh yeah, forgot about Puntos. Also a Bravo? Although they were a bit of a flop iirc
A 316 is group 11, a 2.0 mondeo ghia x is group 12, insurance will be a non issue (assuming you can afford a group 11 car in teh first place, which will cost a fortune, i was paying ~600 a year for a group 3 punto when i first passed my test)Quote:
Originally Posted by XA04
I can't really explain about the Polo, I just don't like the look of it.
Vectra isn't bad for a first car I don't think, they're cheaper than the 316 too.
I just want a big car so I can take friends around in it mainly, but just in general I would like a big car and not something small, I want something spacious.
Another reason is, I'm learning to drive in my dads ford fiesta SI, and my knee's hit the steering wheel as I'm so tall, and it's quite a struggle to get in and out of the driving seat, even with the seat right back.
Fiat Punto's arent bad tbh, will have a look at pricing and insurance, Bravo's are just ugly :p
Hmm, I just noticed that. Well I guess it's due to the fact that I will be on my dads insurance policy.Quote:
Originally Posted by herulach
Edit: btw was that on your policy? (600 a year?)
How tall are you?
I wanted a big car, and now that I have my Megane it's plenty big and spacious enough. A Vectra is too big IMO, for a learner. It'll be a bastard to park, I promise.
You can take friends around in most medium-sized hatchbacks with rear seats. Hell I've had five people in my Cinq. The only real problem was that it was so slow.
I'm 6ft 1" last time I checked, which was about a year ago, so maybe a little taller now, I'll have to check. But I'm not skinny either, not but not fat. Inbetween.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
That was fully comp, but it would have been about 400 tpft, this on my mums policyQuote:
Originally Posted by XA04
Tpft?
I agree that there's no reason not to get a big car (I.E. mondeo/3-series size) as your first motor after passing your test. My parents insured me on their Nissan Prairie after I passed my y=test aged 17, and that's a big, longm wide car. After a cautious first drive round the block I was fine and never had any trouble driving it.
However, a 316 would be a daft first car IMO, way overpriced for what you get, and young person + BMW = massive insurance bill. In my experience insurance companies don't take much notice of insurance groups for young people, they look at if a particular model of car gets crashed by young drivers or not. That's only a gut feeling of course, but it seems that way to me.
The advantage of buying a Mondeo instead of a Focus (or a 406 over a 306 etc. etc.) is that they depreciate faster, so even though they were more expensive new they can actually be cheaper secondhand. If you don't want to go with 5labs suggestion of a £200 banger (which is a good idea IMO) then I'd consider a late 90s 406 turbodiesel. Diesels are a better bet for a Euro roadtrip because in a lot of Europe Diesel is cheaper than Petrol- and you get better economy.
the problem you have with the fiesta is almost certainly just due to that car - i'm 6'3 and fit in most cars, although the person behind usually suffers..
Is a Corsa (C) smaller or larger than a Fiesta SI?
Corsa's Probably slightly bigger
I'm 6ft tall and I had no problem driving a Cinq, one of the smallest cars around :)
Corsa Cs are plenty big enough for the driver - I'm 6'0" and the seat can go a lot further back than I need it.
And the seat goes up and down, as well as back and froward.
That's good that the seats can move up and down, in the fiesta they only go back and forward.Quote:
Originally Posted by schmunk
How about a 2.0 1998 Galant? Insurance doesn't seem to be that high, on my dads policy I'm getting about £800.
Who's going to be paying for petrol? Bigger engines will be thirstier than small engines. Ditto road tax, etc.
I shall.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
Didn't think about road tax.. does the size of the engine actually affect the price of the road tax? :confused:
It does if the car is older than 2002. below 1.5 = £105 per year, 1.5 and above = £170 per year.
THink about petrol costs too, especially if you'll only have a part time job. It's not cheap :D
..damn, that's expensive :p.
Owning a car isn't cheap :p
Peugeot 106 tbh. :D
Oh yeah, I know that ;).Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
106's aren't bad, bit too small for my liking though.
306 then. :D It's plenty big enough for you tbh
Could be an option, price is good, size is OK.., insurance should be cheap too. Hmmmmm.
Don't get one of the earlier ones though. :)
Don't like the look of the older ones anyway.Quote:
Originally Posted by Howard
The newer ones look a bit 'boxy' too, which I don't like that much.
The facelift ones are smoother and more modern looking.. And not quite as unreliable as the older ones :p