Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of a huge, muddy pothole or carrying sandmats for the truck to drive over in the desert and
then camp out in the bush with only a bucket of water for a shower!
Car
Another popular option is to travel by car. It means you have somewhere to sleep if you get
stuck for a bed for the night, you save money on train fares and you don't have to lug your
rucksack into cafés.
If you are considering it, you need to know the motoring regulations of the countries you'll
be visiting - they vary from country to country. Check that you are insured to drive abroad
and that this is clearly shown on the documentation you carry with you.
The AA advises that you carry your vehicle insurance, vehicle registration documents and
a current tax disc in the car and, of course, take your driving licence with you. If you still
have an old paper licence you might want to consider getting it updated to a photo licence
before you go, but make sure you leave enough time for this - the DVLA isn't known for
its speedy processing.
It is also advisable to take an International Driving Permit (IDP) as not all countries accept
the British driving licence. In theory you don't need one in any of the EU member states,
but the AA recommends having an IDP if you intend to drive in any country other than the
UK - and it's better than getting into trouble and being fined for driving without a valid
licence.
An IDP is valid for 12 months and can be applied for up to three months in advance. The
AA and RAC issue the permits - you must be over 18 and hold a current, full, UK driving
licence that has been valid for two years. You'll need to fill in a form and provide your UK
driving licence, passport and a recent passport-sized photo of yourself, which you can take
to a participating Post Office. Be warned, you need to allow at least ten working days for
processing, so don't try and do this at the last minute.
The AA website has loads of info about the permit, and driving abroad in general, and you
can download the application form here:
www.theaa.com/getaway/idp/motidp002.html
It's a good idea to put your car in for a service a couple of weeks before you leave and,
unless you're a mechanic, it's also worth getting breakdown cover specifically for your trip
abroad. Any of the major recovery companies such as the AA, RAC or Green Flag offer
this service. Remember, without cover, if you end up stuck on the side of the road it could
be an expensive experience.
The RAC recommends taking a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, warning triangle, headlamp
beam reflectors and spare lamp bulbs. These are all required by law in many countries and
make sense anyway.
www.rac.co.uk
