Webbo Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 Any tips? Anything essential that I should know? they drive on the other side of the road.
Jon the Hat Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 Have cash if you don't want to be escorted to a cash machine when you get caught speeding.
Kinowe Soorie Posted 3 July 2015 Author Posted 3 July 2015 they drive on the other side of the road. I hope all your Purdy paint brushes dry up over the weekend!!
Webbo Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I'm driving in America atm and it is confusing. When I turn left I'm never quite sure which lane to turn into.
Soar Fox Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I'm driving in America atm and it is confusing. When I turn left I'm never quite sure which lane to turn into. How many times you been beeped at when your at traffic lights waiting to turn right and you forget you can go on red?
Sir Fynwy Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I've been doing it for 20 years, never any problems, one speeding fine in Genoa which was a bit shit. This week I drove from Geneva to Grenoble, next week I'll drive from Munich to Burghausen to Ingelfingen to Frankfurt. In Germany keep out of the overtaking lane unless you are overtaking or doing 250+ kph.
DennisNedry Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 When you're in France, make sure your doors are locked or you could find yourself smuggling illegal immigrants into the UK.Â
Sir Fynwy Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I'm driving in America atm and it is confusing. When I turn left I'm never quite sure which lane to turn into. America is about the easiest place to drive in the world, they let 15 year old kids drive there.
separator Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I used to work for a German firm, had all my training courses over there and they'd give us shitty Fiat Punto hire cars to get about. Really didn't cut the mustard on the Autobahn.
The Year Of The Fox Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I've done a bit of research for nect year. You need two breathylser kits at all times
Guest seanfox778 Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 I have to drive through Europe all the time, you get used to it pretty quickly. Quadruple check your mirrors on the autobahn when overtaking as they do come flying at you. French lorry drivers are crap for staying in their lane so be wary of that. If you're in a city and turning left or right at a traffic light junction a lot of the time the pedestrian crossing will be green as well as your light being green so you still have to give way to them if they're crossing. Only been stopped by the police once and that was in Bucharest for running a red light, not on purpose, I just literally didn't see it. He tried to take my licence off me but he didn't in the end, I'm sure it was because I was English and he didn't know the correct procedure.
fuchsntf Posted 3 July 2015 Posted 3 July 2015 Any tips? Anything essential that I should know? 1) dont forget to take your car 2) keep right, you stupid foreigner Seriously though, # make sure you learn which direction on a roundabout. # learn the various filter system or rules on a rounderabout, different countries have different rules # Right before left through most towns, unless you see a priority sign. # if a Maut/toll levy is required buy one.In france and Italy have loose change ready. # your mirrors are your best friend, especially if driving UK car. # if uk car, twist your headlights, majority of modern cars, allows you to do this, ask your local mechanic or read your car manual. # keep to speed limits, even if some local knobs dont/ but like UK you can keep up with the flow # The drive speed limits tend to be faster in Mainland Europe. # northern Europe especially, dont drive with something in your hand. # dont swear or give hand signs at any cop. # North Italians are not unlike their European neighbours, the further south the more hectic it might seem, but just go with the flow, they all believe they have the right-of-way. I have driven all around the world, either with my German license, or through the americas with an American license, over 30 years. ....Two most importand words...Common sense. Oh and Southern Europeans love their horn
VLC86 Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Drove in North Italy for four months last year... Be patient Check the laws- in France you need breathalysers and a breakdown kit plus cash for fines. In Italy if you get pulled over hide your cash down your undies ( police will probably take it off you) Expect the unexpected- I watched someone go round a very busy roundabout the wrong way Enjoy the toll roads- nothing is more fun than paying shit loads for a road (France) and not being able to reach the pay point because you are in a UK car. Enjoy, I was petrified of the idea at first but got used to it. On the way to the San Siro driving into Milan was a steep learning curve .
Julian Joachim Jr Shabadoo Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Roundabouts anti-clockwise. You will shit yourself on the first couple as you drive round at walking pace trying to mirror all the rules of our roundabouts. If you're parked up in a busy city in France or Italy and witness someone nudging your car as they try to fit in their own space, try not to knock the shit out of them, it's just how they do things over there.
cambridgefox Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Any tips? Anything essential that I should know?To be honest you worry about the first roundabout but because your driving on the opposite side of the road you naturally do it correctly.Remember in FRANCE High vis for all people in vehicle to hand in case of breakdown.wear at all times and put pics on here! I usually take breakdown cover gor Europe about £60/70 Warning triangle - Halfords Spare bulbs-Halfords Breathalyser ( you now don't get fined for not having them,but I wouldn't trust them not to try it on) Insurance V5 car owner form
promised land Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Roundabouts anti-clockwise. You will shit yourself on the first couple as you drive round at walking pace trying to mirror all the rules of our roundabouts. If you're parked up in a busy city in France or Italy and witness someone nudging your car as they try to fit in their own space, try not to knock the shit out of them, it's just how they do things over there. France is a weird one, I drove all the way to Paris and around there it was just bedlam, hardly a local car without a bump or two from nudging each other to get in a parking spot. Also in France I think cars on a roundabout give way to ones entering it, strange rule compared to here. Flashing your headlights in France as well isn't done as it doesn't mean you're giving way to oncoming cars.
MC Prussian Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Any tips? Anything essential that I should know? When in Portugal, don't be amazed if you don't see any cars on the motorways (toll lanes, so keep spare change at hand). You haven't landed in a Zombie or Apocalypse movie, it's just that most locals can't or won't afford driving on those roads. Â Also, no matter where you are, you may want to keep your lights on at all times when driving in order to avoid potential fines. Â General advice: Buckle up, feel comfortable whilst on the road (adjust your seat accordingly) and always have a water bottle at your disposal to kill the thirst. Â Germany's still pretty lax on speed limits on their Autobahn, but they're closing in with controls from what I can tell.
Carl the Llama Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 I imagine the sight of so many clear middle lanes might be perturbing to the average motorway-using Englishman, so be prepared, and resist the urge to fill that space.
act smiley Posted 4 July 2015 Posted 4 July 2015 Â If you're in a city and turning left or right at a traffic light junction a lot of the time the pedestrian crossing will be green as well as your light being green so you still have to give way to them if they're crossing. Â Â Other than the obvious stuff like remember roundabouts are anti-clockwise, this is the one. Also, if there's a yellow diamond sign, it means that when there's a side road, whoever's on the right has priority. Â
Guest seanfox778 Posted 5 July 2015 Posted 5 July 2015 Other than the obvious stuff like remember roundabouts are anti-clockwise, this is the one. Also, if there's a yellow diamond sign, it means that when there's a side road, whoever's on the right has priority. It also confused the hell out of me being a pedestrian. I would cross and see cars come round the corner and be thinking "what the hell are you doing? The green amigo is clearly lit".
Weller in Tights Posted 5 July 2015 Posted 5 July 2015 The Germans are fantastic drivers. Their two lane motorways flow better than our 3 or 4 lane motorways. Why? Because after overtaking everyone moves in. Loved driving through Germany. France is a breeze, just make sure you have all the bits you need ( high viz jackets etc) check AA WEBSITE. The only busy roads I have found in France are in Paris. The flow of the traffic sets you up and you end of finding it all very natural, even roundabouts. As some one has stated, your mirrors become very important if driving a British car. ( not that they aren't important anyway!).
Carl the Llama Posted 5 July 2015 Posted 5 July 2015 Other than the obvious stuff like remember roundabouts are anti-clockwise, this is the one. Also, if there's a yellow diamond sign, it means that when there's a side road, whoever's on the right has priority. The diamond means the opposite - it's designating your road the priority road, overruling the priority to the right rule, so if you keep stopping for intersections you'll piss off a lot of people behind you! Â P to the r is designated by a lack of signage otherwise or a red triangle with a black x on it. Â https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priority_to_the_right
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