What Are Your Top Tips For Driving Abroad?

Before you leave spend as long as it takes to ensure you have all the necessary documentation, equipment and insurance cover required for the countries you plan to visit. Take advice from your motoring organisation and insurance company, they will be best able to advise on your individual circumstances and itinerary.

In general, then, here are some of the major don'ts.

Don't overload your car. Safety aside, an overloaded vehicle can incur on the spot fines and is likely to invalidate your insurance.

Don't forget that while abroad lights must be adjusted for driving on the right. If you don't, dipped beam will light the wrong side of the road and dazzle oncoming traffic. The adjustment can be made by using beam converters or deflectors. Beam deflectors must not be used with quartz halogen lamps and it is vital to remove the adjusters as soon as you return to British soil.

Don't fill up with 'Standard' unleaded in Europe, its octane rating is RON 91 or 93 and can result in pinking and minor engine damage. Go, instead, for 'Super' unleaded which has an octane rating of RON 95.