Going abroad

A trip abroad requires extra attention. Not only due to the long distances involved, but certainly also because each country has its own regulations. The most important thing is to be well prepared before departing.

Checklist 

Tyre pressure
A long drive ahead? Car heavily loeaded? In that case, check your tyre pressure beforehand. Thanks to this, you will drive more comfortably, more economicly and more safely. You will find the recommended tyre pressure in the instruction booklet of your car.

Oil level, windscreen wiper liquid and coolant
Before your departure, check the oil level and the level of your windscreen wiper liquid and coolant. Every 500 kilometers, check the oil and put an extra liter in your trunk.

Green Card
Please ensure that the country you are travelling to is listed on the green card inserted in your cars' booklet. Make sure that you are actually taking this card with you on your journey.

Traffic admission
When a driver wants to leave the European Union with his car or wants to enter the grounds of international harbours, stations and airports, he is to apply for a traffic admission certificate from Arval. The driver receives the certificate from Arval a few days later at no charge. A certificate corresponds with one limited journey (in terms of time). For every new journey a new certificate is to be drawn up.

It is important to realise that without the traffic admission certificate, the car could be confiscated by the authorities in charge.

Accessories that are obligatory

In a number of countries you must have an emergency triangle, a first-aid box and/or a safety vest. For tourists this obligation applies only in a number of cases. Here is an overview of the most popular holiday destinations:

   
  fire extinguisher warning triangle skid chains/
winter tyres		 first-aid kit
Germany not compulsory compulsory winter tyres compulsory when snow compulsory
France not compulsory compulsory if road sign oblige not compulsory
Italy not compulsory compulsory if road sign oblige not compulsory
Luxembourg not compulsory not compulsory no guidelines not compulsory
Austria not compulsory compulsory if road sign oblige* compulsory
Portugal not compulsory compulsory no guidelines not compulsory
Spain not compulsory compulsory no guidelines not compulsory
United Kingdom not compulsory compulsory no guidelines not compulsory
Switzerland not compulsory compulsory if road sign oblige not compulsory

* prohibited in the Arlberg tunnel 

Hold your horses ! 
 
Speeding is punishable in Belgium, just like it is in other European countries. Not all countries handle the same standards regarding speed limits, however. Here’s a summary table showing the speeds applicable in neighboring countries:

 km/h  
  In urban area  On national raods  On Highways
 Germany 50 100 130 
 France 50 90 or 110  130 
 Italy 50 90 or 110 130
 Luxembourg 50 90 130
 Austria 50 100 130
 Portugal 50 90 or 100 130
 Spain 50 90 or 100 120
 United Kingdom 48 96 or 112 112

Winter tyres and skid chains 
 
Winter tyres
In general, in the alpine countries, winter tyres are NOT compulsory. However, it is compulsory to have skid chains in the car at all times, and to mount them as soon a this is indicated by a road sign.

Except Germany: Winter tyres are compulsory in case of snowy weather conditions only.
Therefore, winter tyres are compulsory in case of snowy weather conditions only. For that reason, you should check the weather forecasts before your departure and, if necessary, have winter tyres or all-season tyres mounted.

In Germany, you risk a penalty of EUR 20.00 when your tyres are not adapted. In case you hinder traffic, another EUR 40.00 is added on top of that. When involved in an accident, the use of unsuitable tyres could lead to a joint liability. The same applies whilst driving with tyres with an insufficient profile depth during rainy weather conditions.

Snow chains
In most countries the use of spiked tyres and snow chains are regulated and, in certain places, indicated by specific traffic signs.

Summary

Country

Winter tyres

Snow chains

Germany

Winter or “all season” tyres are highly recommended in case of snow.

Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign.

Austria

Compulsory from 1/11 to 15/4 on snowy or icy roads. Minimum tread of 4 mm for radial tyres and 5 mm for cross-ply tyres.

Between 1/11 and 15/4, they may replace winter tyres on roads completely covered in ice or snow. Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign. For any long journey made with summer tyres, it is compulsory to carry snow chains in the trunk.

Spain

Not compulsory

Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign.

France

Where indicated by an ad hoc road sign, with a panel stating “snow tyres permitted”, snow tyres may be used in place of chains.

Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign.

Italy

Compulsory in Val Aosta from 15/10 to 15/4. Alternative: snow chains in the trunk.

Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign. Alternative: snow tyres are also accepted.

Luxembourg

If winter tyres are fitted, all the tyres must be of the same type.

Never compulsory.

Czech Republic

Compulsory from 1/11 to 30/4 where indicated by road signs signalling “winter equipment compulsory”.

Compulsory where indicated by an ad hoc road sign.