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364 – Going abroad – what you need…

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30 December 2009

ONCE, when you ventured over the water in your car, all you needed was a GB sticker and headlight lens converters. You still need those of course – unless it’s on your number plate like my Audi (after I’d bought the sticker – how daft of me). But before heading to La Belle France there are a few more things to remember these days. And these are legal necessities.

The first is a reflective vest or jacket – this must be to hand for the driver in case of breakdowns. And must be put on before you exit the car. Truthfully, all passengers should have one, but it’s critical to make sure the driver has the jacket. And to hand. A 135 euro penalty is what you could be fined for this oversight. And at the current exchange rate, that’s a lot of money not to have a reflective jacket.

Other important equipment to carry is a warning triangle – there’s a fine if you don’t – and to include a spare set of bulbs, along with a first aid kit. All of it’s fairly sensible stuff, but we’re not so used to it over here and it can easily be overlooked before you go abroad.

A couple of useful websites providing good advice for travelling abroad are: www.nationaldrivesafe.com; and www.theaa.com/motoring-advice.

We had all this packed for a day trip to France before Christmas. My wife Alison had found this great deal for a £15 return trip on the Eurotunnel – part of the 15 year celebrations since its opening. It would be churlish not to go at that price and raid the French supermarket for cheese and wine. And, I have to say, I am partial to some of the French honey, too.

We drove down to Folkstone in glorious winter sunshine, blue skies and apart from being bumped back an hour on our original crossing, all was well. We headed straight for the Cite Europe had a look round the shops before the hypermarket beckoned. We managed to fully load the Audi’s boot – a substantial area – with boxes full of goodies. And we had just enough time for an omelette before heading back for the crossing in conditions that had changed to sleet and rain. What a contrast.

And yet the Audi seems so safe and secure in these conditions. The Audi has amazing long-distance capability. It’s relaxing and comfortable, and gets on the job with transporting its occupants safely and securely. A cross continent jaunt would not be an issue for this car.

We were fortunate, though. We got back and the next day the troubles on the Eurotunnel really started with the onset of snow, stuck trains, and general mayhem.

Perhaps we should also learn to pack a warm jacket and blanket when travelling abroad at this time of year.

…it’s a bit more than a GB sticker

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Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton

Ralph Morton is an award-winning journalist and the founder of Business Car Manager (now renamed Business Motoring). Ralph writes extensively about the car and van leasing industry as well as wider fleet and company car issues. A former editor of What Car?, Ralph is a vastly experienced writer and editor and has been writing about the automotive sector for over 35 years.

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