Be Safe - Be Legal and ensure you comply with EU motoring regulations

By carrying the following items of emergency and breakdown equipment you can ensure you comply with EU motoring regulations.

All items below are available at the UK Hoverspeed ports at below UK high street prices.

Headlamp Beam Adapters

Failure to adapt your headlamps will render your vehicle UNFIT for use on the road and will
invalidate your motor insurance.

GB Sticker

A GB sticker/plate must be displayed on the rear of your vehicle, caravan or trailer.

Spare Bulbs

Drivers must be in a position to replace any blown exterior light.

Warning Triangles

Must be carried to give advance warning of a hazard on the road. Hazard warning lights alone
are NOT sufficient.

First Aid Kit

Every driver must be able to render first aid when required.

Fire Extinguisher

It is an offence to be unable to render assistance in the event of a fire.

Checklist

Check to see what is required for the countries that you are visiting or travelling through: All items are available at the UK Hoverspeed port at below UK high street prices.

Motoring in Europe information and products are provided by Travel Spot Limited.

Headlamp Adapters

- Your vehicle's headlamps are specifically designed for driving in the UK on the left hand side of the road. Consequently, when driving in Europe on the right, your headlamps will dazzle oncoming drivers. Whether driving at night or day this dazzle must be prevented by adapting your headlamps. Failure to do this renders the vehicle UNFIT for use on the road and will invalidate your motor insurance and could result in spot fines.

GB Stickers

- Required by International Law to indicate Country of Registration.

Warning Triangles

- If your vehicle breaks down or is involved in an accident, you must place a warning triangle 50-150 metres behind your vehicle to warn approaching traffic.
The use of hazard warning lights alone is NOT sufficient to satisfy this requirement.

Spare Bulbs

- All lamps, including lenses and reflectors must be in working order, even during daylight hours. Failure to be in a position to replace a blown exterior bulb could result in temporary cessation of your journey and/or a spot fine.

First Aid Kit

- In most EU countries basic First Aid training is part of the Driving Examination Test, and failure to be able to administer first aid when called upon to do so, or as circumstances demand is an offence for which spot fines can be imposed.

Fire Extinguisher

- Failure to render assistance in the event of a fire, or take necessary precautions to prevent a fire from escalating is an offence.

Further Information

Insurance Policies - Somewhere, in the small print in every Motor Insurance Policy, is a statement to the effect that it is the driver/owner’s responsibility to ensure that the vehicle complies with the law and is roadworthy for the Country he intends to visit. Failure to discharge this responsibility could result in the Company repudiating liability under the Policy.

Failure to Comply - In the event of prosecution and conviction for failure to comply with the legal requirements, the courts in all EU countries have wide powers to impose swinging penalties, and the arresting officers have extensive powers to impose “on the spot fines”.

On the Spot Fines - The moment these are demanded, they have to be paid in cash, in the local currency, to the arresting officer. Credit cards or travellers cheques are not accepted, and in some countries inability to pay, risks impounding the driver’s vehicle until the fine is paid.