Driving abroad: all you need to know plus cover for insurance, breakdown

When it comes to setting off for a holiday on the continent, drivers and families have a packing list as long as beach towel. But it's easy to forget one or more vital elements. European insurance, breakdown cover, extra kit to comply with foreign laws and your driving licence are all indispensable. And unlike a missing tube of sun cream, these aren't easy to organise abroad and missing them can take the joy out of a much-needed break.

That’s why it’s important that drivers write out a list of everything they and their car need for the trip. That way, there should be no danger of conking out on the hard shoulder only to find that your car insurance doesn’t include breakdown cover abroad. Or that the tool to release wheel nuts is at home in the garage.

Millions of Brits prefer to drive rather than fly, given the affordability, practicality and flexibility it gives them. Here are the things you'll need for a road trip abroad.

Car insurance: breakdown and Euro cover

Most car insurers only cover a British car for driving abroad with the minimum statutory third-party cover. Drivers should contact their provider before going. You'll most likely have to pay a modest addition to the premium to extend cover to fully comprehensive on the European continent.

Unless a policy explicitly states it, breakdown cover is not included with a car insurance policy. Equally, whether you have a breakdown policy in the UK or a new car that is still under a warranty with breakdown cover, these normally do not extend to driving abroad.

Given 83 per cent of people surveyed by Green Flag said breaking down in a foreign country and not speaking the local language makes them anxious, it makes sense to let the experts take care of everything on your behalf. Shop around for a quote and carefully compare the terms and conditions of breakdown companies.

Get a free European Health Insurance Card

Have your ever heard of the European Health Insurance Card? You can apply for one through the NHS and it’s free. It gives the card holder and named applicants (such as a partner and children) the right to access state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in a country in the European Economic Area or Switzerland.

Know the local laws

From France to Belgium, Spain to Italy, the laws of the road vary. Speed limits, safety equipment and required spare parts for your car differ, and there can be hefty fines for failing to stick to them. See Green Flag’s guide to the laws in some of the most popular holiday driving destinations in the EU. Warning triangles, high-visibility vests, spare bulbs or breathalyser kits could all be required. And consider packing extra engine oil.

French city break? Get an emissions sticker

Air quality concerns have prompted parts of France to introduce an exhaust emissions scheme. Called Crit’Air, it allows authorities in cities including Paris, Lyon and Grenoble to restrict which cars are permitted to enter the city, according to how clean their emissions are. You can apply for the sticker (it's called a vignette) online. It costs Brits €4.18 (£3.50) and not having one will incur an on-the-spot fine of up to €135 (£117).

Remember your car’s locking wheel nut key

Don’t leave the key or adapter for your car’s locking wheel nuts in the garage or shed. It needs to be kept in the car’s glovebox or boot. Otherwise removing the wheels will be a specialist (and extremely expensive) job.

Load the car safely

You’ve got a roof box, bike rack and are planning on packing everything including the kitchen sink. Before you do, check the vehicle handbook to know how much additional weight your car can carry safely. Pack the heaviest luggage at the lowest point in the boot, and use a restraining guard. This will stop bits and pieces flying into the cabin if you have to brake suddenly. And remember to adjust the air pressure of the tyres to the recommended setting for heavy loads. This will also be listed in the handbook.