| Please
note, the advice below is not comprehensive. Driving rules
differ between countries so the FCO recommends that you
also visit the country-specific information here
for the most up to date advice for your destination.
Cars
Before
you go
• Familiarise yourself with
the driving laws of your holiday destination, including
the local speed limits and which side of the road
to drive on! You will be subject to these laws when
driving abroad and if you are stopped by the police
it is not an excuse to say that you were unaware of
them. The FCO's
country-specific travel advice gives specific
information on driving.
• Consult your insurance company to check that
you are fully covered to drive abroad and for any
medical expenses that could result from an accident
• Even if you have extended your car insurance
to cover driving abroad, you may not be covered for
breakdown. You should buy a separate breakdown policy
with your holiday insurance or from your motor insurer
• Some countries require you to have a Green
Card, which provides the minimum insurance
• necessary in that country. Check whether your
holiday destination requires you to have one
• Check whether your holiday destination requires
you to obtain an International Driving Permit
• Service your car before leaving the UK and
check that it complies with the vehicle requirements
of the countries you will visit
• Plan your route thoroughly before you leave
and make sure you have maps of your journey
• Pack an emergency kit for your car including
basic first aid equipment.
When you’re away
• You should carry your registration
documents, driving licence, passport, insurance documents,
breakdown policy and a Green Card if required at all
times when driving
• Make sure you have all relevant emergency
helpline numbers on you, including emergency services,
breakdown assistance and insurance company
• If you are involved in an accident you should
contact your insurer immediately and take photographs
of any damage to your vehicle
• Drive defensively – expect the unexpected
• Do not drive when you are tired and take regular
breaks at service stations or designated stopping
points while you are on the road
• Always wear a seatbelt and ensure that all
passengers wear theirs too
• Do not drink and drive. Be aware that the
alcohol limit may be lower abroad than in the UK and
in some countries there is zero tolerance for drink
driving
• Never use your mobile phone while driving
• Do not overload your vehicle and ensure that
you can see out of the back window
• Be aware that the local style of driving may
be different to that in the UK. Always give the car
in front of you plenty of room.
If
you are driving your own vehicle
• You should have a clearly visible GB sticker
on the back of your car if your number plate does
not include this information
• You should use a set of headlamp converters
when driving on the right-hand side of the road
• You should carry a warning triangle, fire
extinguisher, first aid kit, tool kit and spare bulbs
in the boot of your car.
If
you are driving a hire vehicle
• Only hire a vehicle from a reputable hire
company, the cheapest deal will not always be the
best
• The insurance provided by the hire company
can often be limited to the legal minimum level of
the country you hire in. In order to ensure you are
fully covered you should purchase top-up insurance
from your tour operator or insurer
|
Motorbikes
Make
sure your travel insurance covers you before you decide
to drive or be a passenger on a motorbike. Check the
exclusions carefully.
• Travelling by motorcycle, scooter or moped
is significantly more dangerous than by car. If you
are not accustomed to riding a motorcycle you should
not attempt to ride one for the first time abroad
on unfamiliar roads
• If you do decide to hire a motorcycle or scooter,
make sure you use a reputable hire company –
check that they are licensed to hire bikes to tourists
• Always wear a helmet and protective clothing,
whether you are the driver or a passenger
• There should never be more than two people
on a bike
• Never ride the bike when you have been drinking
alcohol
• Quad bikes should also be approached with
caution. If you do hire quad bikes you should check
that your travel insurance covers you for their use.
Only hire them from a reputable company and find out
whether it is legal to ride them on the public road
• Ensure your insurance includes third party
cover.
|
Pedestrians
•
When crossing the road, remember that traffic may
from coming from the opposite direction to that you
expect
• When walking around at night, wear light coloured
clothing so that you are clearly visible to drivers
• Do not assume that drivers will stop at zebra
crossings
• Be aware that jay-walking is illegal in many
countries – always cross at designated points
• When walking along the roadside it is better
to face the oncoming traffic – this way you
will be able to see vehicles approaching you. |
Bus and Coaches
•
If you have concerns over the safety of the vehicle
do not get on and inform the tour rep or organiser
• Wear a seatbelt if one is available
• Avoid travelling in overcrowded vehicles. |
A
view from FCO staff on the ground:
Peru –
Fabiola Aguilar, Pro-Consul at the British Embassy, said:
“Road accidents, particularly bus crashes, are common
here and consular services assist in a number of cases of
hospitalisation and death of Britons. In order to combat
this we recently launched a campaign in Peru to raise awareness
among British nationals of the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
We produced stickers and posters in both Spanish and English
and, working with national bus companies, NGOs, Peruvian
institutions and other local partners we distributed these
to tourists via bus terminals, on buses and in other strategic
tourist spots.”
Oman –
Faisal Abdul Ghani, Consular Liaison Officer, said: “Although
Oman has a zero tolerance policy towards drink driving,
the majority of cases of road accidents where we are asked
to assist involve alcohol. Here, if you have any alcohol
in your bloodstream and are involved in an accident you
will be held responsible by the police even if the other
driver was technically at fault. If arrested for such an
offence, you will serve a sentence of up to a week before
your case is even referred to court. Brits visiting Oman
should also be aware that laws and customs are very different
here to those in the UK. Finger pointing could be interpreted
as an ‘abuse of dignity’ and can be reported
to the police , sometimes resulting in costly fines.”
Mexico –
Nicola Mockridge, Vice Consul at the British Embassy, said:
“In one case we assisted with recently, a British
national was involved in a road accident in his hire car.
Because the accident was as a result of his drink driving,
his insurance company would not cover the damage to the
car and he had to pay $13,000 US dollars. We have also had
a case recently where a British man was involved in an extremely
serious car crash and was paralysed from the neck down.
The situation was made even more distressing for him because
he did not have travel insurance.”
Uruguay –
John Pearson, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul at the
British Embassy, said: “The most important thing to
remember when driving abroad is that the style of driving
may be very different to that in the UK- so you should expect
the unexpected. Road laws can be very different too. For
example, here in Uruguay headlights must be on at all times,
even during the day. Before your journey, check the FCO’s
travel advice -either online or by calling the Travel Advice
line.”
Lithuania –
Keith Shannon, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul, said:
“Lithuania has one of the highest rate of road fatalities
in the EU - about four times higher than in the UK –
and we see an increasing number of hospitalisations of British
visitors as a result of road accidents every year. When
driving abroad , remember that local driving habits may
not be the same as at home. Extra care must be taken at
all times when driving in Lithuania, but particularly when
driving in winter conditions and at night.”
Cyprus –
Claire Lawley, HM Consul, said: “We see a high number
of deaths and hospitalisations among British nationals following
road accidents. This is partly due to the poor driving conditions
locally, but is also because Brits do not take the same
safety precautions when driving abroad as they do at home,
for example not wearing seatbelts and drink-driving.”
Uganda –
John Hamilton, HM Consul, said: “Uganda’s roads
are extremely unsafe and we assist with a number of cases
resulting from road accidents every year. There is one particular
busy stretch of road used by many tourists where one person
dies in a traffic accident on average every three days.
As part of a larger campaign involving many of the biggest
companies in Uganda we have produced a number of leaflets
aimed at raising awareness of road safety issues among tourists,
particularly young independent travellers. We distribute
the leaflets at backpacker hostels and campsites and in
the arrivals hall of the airport. . The leaflets draw attention
to the dangers of using motorcycle and minibus taxis and
offer practical tips on how to reduce the risks”
Romania –
Ann Furey, Vice-Consul, said: “It is important for
Brits driving abroad to remember that they are subject to
the same laws as the locals. It is not an excuse to say
you weren’t aware of the speed limit if you get stopped
so you should familiarise yourself with the local driving
laws before travelling. A good starting point is checking
the FCO’s travel advice by country which includes
specific information on road safety.”
Florida –
Dean Churm, HM Consul, said: "Road accidents can happen
for the most basic of reasons - we see a high number of
crashes that have happened because a Brit is driving on
the wrong side of the road or has looked the wrong way when
pulling out of a junction. When driving abroad, remain alert
at all times and drive defensively. You are likely to be
driving in an area that you are unfamiliar with - try to
plan your route at the beginning of each day so that you
are less likely to be taken by surprise when on the road.
Also, some people drink on the flight and then hire a car
as soon as they get to their destination while the alcohol
is still in their bloodstream, which they clearly shouldn’t
do."
When
in doubt, you can always write to the The
Travel Desk for assistance.
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