Driving in Yoo-roap

Hey guys,

My girlfreind is oggling European destinations and fair play we haven't been abroad together yet. She's looking at things like German xmas markets and such. So I was just wondering how one becomes aquainted with driving on the wrong side of the road - as that the only thing stopping me saying "lets just get in the car and go."

So yeh and thoughts an experiences (and photos!!) would be great . The FL is a very nice car for long journeys and I imagine it's a great car for touring. It would be nice to get out of the country. If it's just a weekend break to Munich or something we'll fly but camping in France when I was a kid was great fun so maybe next summer.

Will.

You should practice driving on the wrong side of the road here then post some pictures of that lol

rhodie said:

You should practice driving on the wrong side of the road here then post some pictures of that lol

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Have seen more than a few foreigners doing exactly that down here at night, so come to Poole, you'll blend in

Having lived outside of the UK for 7 of the last 12 years I can say with certainty that its not as bad as you think, it only takes a few minutes to get used to it and to be honest most of the initial stuff when you get off the boat or out of the tunnel is m/way or dual carriageway so it makes it quite a gentle introduction to get used to the arse about face way those jonny foreigners drive.

just remember to buy all the extra safety stuff you need like spare lamps, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, yellow vests and alco-meters, oh and them silly beam benders for the lights.

DiscoPol said:

its not as bad as you think, it only takes a few minutes to get used to it and to be honest most of the initial stuff when you get off the boat or out of the tunnel is m/way or dual carriageway so it makes it quite a gentle introduction to get used to the arse about face way those jonny foreigners drive.

just remember to buy all the extra safety stuff you need like spare lamps, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, yellow vests and alco-meters, oh and them silly beam benders for the lights.

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I agree totally. The only time I really have to think about what side of the road should I be on is the first morning of being there, after that it just seems natural.
I've just come back from 10 days of touring the battlefields of the 2 wars and the FL performed lovely (even with 10 litres of petrol added by mistake), I covered just over a 1000 miles and enjoyed every minute.

norfie said:

the FL burned lovely with 10 litres of petrol added .

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That's just overkill half a pint would have been enough to get going.. :bolt:

DiscoPol said:

just remember to buy all the extra safety stuff you need like spare lamps, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, yellow vests and alco-meters, oh and them silly beam benders for the lights.

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For visiting X-mass markets:
Also keep in mind that in some countries winter tyres are mandatory for a certain period (ex. October 1 til April 30). This can vary from country to country.
In other countries your car needs to be adapted to wintery conditions (enough anti-freeze, de-icer for windows,etc...). If not equipped, you can get a fine. If your causing traffic problems, fines will be even bigger.
If you google, you can find lists of what applies to what country.

Here in Belgium, you don't have to do anything special. Just stay on the right side of the road

Roundabouts can be a bit baffling especially when you're not sure who has right of way, also in France in rural areas where some minor roads on your right have right of way. Suggest you have a look on the web at the driving rules for the different countries you'll be travelling through.

I've been living on the continent now for 7 years - mostly it's all fairly straightforward, although several countries have their quirks.

Regarding winter tires / winter equipment: Most 4x4 cars have tyres that have M+S or a snowflake stamped on them, which meet the legal requirements for winter tyres in several countries, so no need to change (my Synchrones have this, so i can drive with the same tyres all year - although if it REALLY snows its preferable to have something a bit skinnier and with a chunky pattern )

In France (not sure if it still applies, im further east) if you happen to break down, try and get off the motorway onto a national road - Motorway breakdown services are provided by private firms and are usually extortionate and not very helpful.

Germany is awesome for motorway driving - it's a real pleasure, but the Polizei are usually relatively strict.

Belgium = crappy motorways (surface) BUT it's lit ALL night, almost everywhere i think - which is nice

In winter Austria looks amazing - Salzburg, Innsbruck, Vienna.

You will need to buy motorway stamps or pay tolls in several countries, like Switzeland, Austria, Italy, some of France (although when going to Germany via Charloi / Mons it's all free) plus some others.

Hi WL,

Go for it. I drive over 20K a year on Mainland of Europe - not a lot compared to some folks I know, but I usually cover 18 countries each 5K trip.

On of my tasks is briefing UK volunteers who go out to the Balkans on Humanitarian Aid trips - many are on their first journey out of UK and heading into an ex-war zone. What an introduction to European travel

Unlike ex-war zones, German and Austrian Xmas Markets are fantastic - Gluewein - Sausages - Jagertee - Pretzels - and the magic smells - you can't get the smells on the TV!

First off - forget this 'wrong side of the road' thing - that attitude is an in-joke in the UK. Most of Europe drives on the right side of the road - the right. Tis us and a few other 'remote' islands (Ireland, Cyprus, etc.) who drive on the wrong side - the left! Ha ha

As said, you soon learn to adapt and driving on the right very quickly comes naturally. Problem is when making quick decisions - like hearing a horn or an ambulance - we Brits - tend to go left - to the 'safe' side of the road almost instintively.

My near-mistakes have been when getting off the ferry - in Dover, on the way home - I'm all set to go round the first roundabout on the right. Mrs S keeps reminding me!

Lots of folks make mistakes in RHD Europe and set off on the wrong side - the left - after they come out of a filling station for example, especially if the road is clear of traffic. You can get a big sticker with an arrow pointing to the right (or left if you turn it up-side down) to put on the dash to keep a constant reminder if you are really worried!

You don't need any more special equipment than what a well-prepared driver would carry in the UK. Forget what is legally necessary, and get what is sensible as well.

Warning triangle.
Reflective vest things for all the occupants - stored in the car not the boot - so you can exit the car with it on.
First-Aid Kit
Spare bulbs
Headlight Deflectors - I carry a set but have never fitted them.
Fire Extinguisher
Folding Plastic Spade.
Decent sized torch with spare batteries.
Low temperature windscreen wash - -40 or lower - (try Lidl)
Tool Kit
Spare Fuel can. Technically the ferries forbid a full can of fuel - but in 40 years no-one has ever said anythingto me. But beware - running out of fuel on a motorway in most countries carries a fine.
'Winter Equipment' - that normally means M+S tyres or ones with the 'Snowflake' symbol, or chains.

Germany - unlike Austria - does not specify exact dates when you must have such tyres - only that you need them in 'Winter Conditions' - which usually means temp below zero - or falling / lying snow.

Austria now has a new law which states that any tyre (no matter what type or with what symbol) with less than 4mm is not a winter tyre.

You should have no problems with a Freelander with 4X4 tyres on - as long as you have 4mm or more for Austria.

No need for chains either. They are compulsory on some winter sports area roads during very bad heavy snow conditions - but there will be warning signs and lay-bys where you can fit chains - or turn round and find a lower altitude route - or better still have an extra day in a hotel till the road is cleared properly. The rules say either chaind or winter / M+S tyres - so again no problems with a Freelander.

I actually carry chains for all 4 wheels - but then I am not usually on holiday - and like the trucks I have a schedule to keep to - not for me the luxury of an extra day in a hotel.

Oh - and these new French alco-test thingies.

Sorry this is so long - but I thought if you were wanting a serious reply rather than jokes - this is it.

Singvogel.

Thanks Singvogel and others, really helpful replies. I already carry most of that gear with me at all times except the alchy tester as I never drink and drive these days, even a pint with lunch.

I doubt I'll be driving all the way down to Austria any time soon as the FL still hasn't quite won my trust 100% though it's a trillion times better than when I got it thanks to all the work I've done on it .

With flights so cheap I'll probably fly to Munich for the xmas markets - I really want to visit those Bavarian hot springs that I went to years ago once again - utterly magical in the outdoor hot pools while it's chucking down snow. So magical that the pools get covered in steam that reduces visibility to less than two feet and people start making out and more !

Also Dampfnudel in Hoffbrauhaus! OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!

WLJayne said:

Thanks Singvogel and others, really helpful replies. I already carry most of that gear with me at all times except the alchy tester as I never drink and drive these days, even a pint with lunch.

I doubt I'll be driving all the way down to Austria any time soon as the FL still hasn't quite won my trust 100% though it's a trillion times better than when I got it thanks to all the work I've done on it .

With flights so cheap I'll probably fly to Munich for the xmas markets - I really want to visit those Bavarian hot springs that I went to years ago once again - utterly magical in the outdoor hot pools while it's chucking down snow. So magical that the pools get covered in steam that reduces visibility to less than two feet and people start making out and more !

Also Dampfnudel in Hoffbrauhaus! OM NOM NOM NOM NOM!!!

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You could also check out the cheapy flights to Innsbuck - their Xmas Market is absolutely great - right in front of the Goldener Dachl (Golden Roof) - Beer and food is just as good (some say better) than in Munchen - half a goose and a litre (or two) of Beer or Gluhwein or Jagertee at a picnic table in the city centre.

Girl friend will love a trip to the Swarovski Factory and the factory shop at Wattens - 9km outside the city.

Enjoy.

S.

Ooooh very tempting!!! Sounds like something that would be great with a group one day! I'll definitely look into that. By which I mean I will mention it to her classiness and she will spend a few days obsessing over expedia et al while I play video games and go "ooooh thats good!" when she finds low prices.

Ganz perfekt!

WL,

Warst du in Deutschland vor Jahren mit der britischen Militärregierung zu einem bestimmten Zeitpunkt zu?

S.

Nein, ich habe mit ein Schüleraustausch gegagen. Einmal, als ich 16 war und nocheinmal als 18. Mein Deutsch ist nicht perfekt - aber es stimmt wird, denke ich.

OK, I understand - I was first in Germany back in the 60's with the RAF. Ah - nostalgia ...........

My German is OK for bars, restuarants, hotels and filling stations, but my grammer is cr*p - or at least that's what my niece who is a student in Vienna says!

Singvogel.

Singvogel said:

OK, I understand - I was first in Germany back in the 60's with the RAF. Ah - nostalgia ...........

My German is OK for bars, restuarants, hotels and filling stations, but my grammer is cr*p - or at least that's what my niece who is a student in Vienna says!

Singvogel.

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My grammar is far from great, I also have trouble with the feckin gendered nouns and strong/weak verbs.

English is a stupid language in many ways but at least "the" fits all and with a few exceptions the plural or everything is an "s" on the end.

forget germany if its a german xmas market you're after!
Get an hour down the m42 to birmingham! biggest german market outside of errr germany!
it is absolutely superb, the stall holders all live here for 6 weeks, their kids even go to local schools! well worth it even if you do go border hopping after.....

markyzs180 said:

forget germany if its a german xmas market you're after!
Get an hour down the m42 to birmingham! biggest german market outside of errr germany!
it is absolutely superb, the stall holders all live here for 6 weeks, their kids even go to local schools! well worth it even if you do go border hopping after.....

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Where abouts is that then, Daughter lives in Warwick and Sister lives in Solihull but the sneaky whatsits never mentioned it.

markyzs180 said:

forget germany if its a german xmas market you're after!
Get an hour down the m42 to birmingham! biggest german market outside of errr germany!
it is absolutely superb, the stall holders all live here for 6 weeks, their kids even go to local schools! well worth it even if you do go border hopping after.....

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Tis a load of bollix. Theres only 4 types of stall. They just repeat them 10 times each.