Drivers warned over 3 documents they must have in glovebox or face £640 fine

Motorists must also have three crucial items in their car when driving abroad
Drivers planning to head overseas this summer in their cars are being warned about three pieces of paperwork they must have in the car or face a heavy penalty. And they must also be prepared with three crucial items on board too.
Anyone planning to cross the channel and drive in Europe should be aware of potentially heavy fines if they're caught unprepared as the rules are very different to driving in the UK. One thing all drivers need to have in their car is a warning triangle in case of a break down.
‌
They should also carry a high visibility jacket and a first aid kit with them at all times.
‌
Also, on the list is a magnetic UK sticker. Brits need to display a UK sticker clearly on their vehicle if the number plate has:
A GB identifier with the Union Flag
A Euro symbol
A national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
Numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier
Experts at BigWantsYourCar said: 'In Europe, if Brits drive without the correct sticker, they will be given a €140 or £120 fine while on the continent.'
But it's not just equipment motorists should ensure they have, they are also required to have three essential documents in the glovebox at all times.
The expert said: "Every driver should double-check their paperwork before heading overseas. A valid driving licence, car insurance details, and vehicle registration documents are needed at all times.
‌
"Missing any of these could significantly disrupt your plans and result in fines up to €750 (£640). It's better to be over-prepared than to face any delays."
Some motorists might require an International Driving Permit to drive in certain countries too.
The expert explained: "As of April 1, 2024, the DVLA requires that anyone seeking an International Driving Permit must visit a participating PayPoint location, equipped with their full valid photo-card licence, a standard passport photograph, and possibly a valid passport if they have an older paper version licence.
‌
"This new procedure is a departure from the past and underscores the need for drivers to be thoroughly prepared before heading to their PayPoint location."
'Not every country requires an International Driving Permit, but for over 140 countries that do, including key destinations like Turkey, Mexico, Canada, and Australia, being prepared with the correct type of IDP is crucial for lawful and hassle-free driving."
‌
When driving in a foreign country sat navs are going to be helpful for helping holidaymakers get from A to B. But there are some places where they are illegal, drivers have been warned.
BigWantsYourCar said: "While using sat navs, drivers must be aware of restrictions. In countries like France and Cyprus, sat navs are prohibited and can lead to fines as high as €1,500 as they make drivers aware of speed cameras.
"It may be worth looking into whether you can turn the speed camera detection feature off.'
‌
Other tips for driving abroad include adjusting your headlights and understanding speed limits at your destination.
The expert added: "UK vehicles are designed for left-hand traffic, so when driving in countries where you must drive on the right, adjusting your headlights is crucial to avoid dazzling oncoming traffic.
‌
'Headlamp converters, which adjust your headlights for driving on the right side of the road, are readily available and can be easily installed. It's important to remove these converters once you return to the UK.
"If you're caught driving in France without these adjustments, you could face an immediate €90 fine.'
Speed limits can differ significantly across European countries and are strictly enforced. Understanding and adhering to these limits is vital.
‌
The penalties for speeding can be severe, so it's important to research and respect the speed regulations of each country you visit.
Speed limits for some European countries on motorways
France: 130 km/h (110 km/h in rain)
Germany: No official limit, but a recommended speed of 130 km/h
‌
Portugal: 120 km/h
Spain: 120 km/h

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

North Wales Live

2 hours ago

• North Wales Live

Turkey travel warning issued as Foreign Office updates advice - What you need to know

The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) has recently updated its travel advice for Turkey, a popular Mediterranean destination for UK holidaymakers that welcomed over four million Brits in 2024. The FCDO, which provides essential information to British tourists, has issued an alert for those planning to visit Turkey. The update, made on Friday, June 20, states: "If you are a British national wanting to cross the land border from Iran into Turkey, you will need to request facilitation from the British Embassy in Ankara by contacting the FCDO before travelling to the border, indicating whether you are contacting from Iran or from the UK on behalf of a relative. "You will need to provide personal details (name, date of birth, details of travel document used to enter Turkey). This is required by the Turkish authorities. "The usual entry requirements will apply, including that British nationals can enter without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. If you intend to leave Iran overland, you do so at your own risk. "In Iran, holding a British passport or having perceived connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you", reports the Express. It comes as a result of the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, with Iran issuing a warning to the UK, France and the US if the countries get involved. The US has now attacked nuclear sites in Iran. The Foreign Office also advises against all travel to some parts of Turkey. It states that Brits should not travel within 10km of the border with Syria "due to fighting and an heightened risk of terrorism". It added: "In Hakkari province [south east Turkey], you must get permission from the local Governor's Office to visit areas near the border with Iraq and Iran. If visiting with a travel agent or tour group, confirm with them whether you need an individual permit. Keep up to date with local media and follow the advice of the local authorities." Mount Ararat, which is a special military zone in Agri Province, requires permission from the Dogubayazit Government office and a fee being paid. Brits travelling with a travel agent or tour group are urged to confirm with them whether an individual permit is required. It is vital that "extra care" is taken if travelling to the area, as well as remaining updated by the local media and following the advice from local authorities.

Daily Mirror

3 hours ago

• Daily Mirror

Big blow to EVs after survey brands them 'more unreliable than fuelled cars'

British motorists that have switched to eco-friendly EVs have been snubbed after a damming new survey found they are 'more unreliable' than traditional petrol and diesel cars Brits whizzing around in electric vehicles (EVs) have been left red-faced after being snubbed in a major survey. The eco-friendly cars suffered a significant setback in the UK after new data found they are more likely to break down compared to petrol, diesel and hybrid cars. According to the latest What Car? Reliability Survey of almost 30,000 car owners, EVs recorded the highest breakdown rate of all fuel types, with 16.8 per cent of EV owners reporting one in the past two years. ‌ This is notably higher than the rates for vehicles powered by fossil fuels, with petrol at 10.7 per cent, hybrid at 14. per cent, and diesel at 15 per cent. The survey, conducted in association with MotorEasy, found 11 per cent of respondents had experienced a breakdown in the past two years in total, with EVs standing out as the most likely to leave drivers stranded. ‌ Only 25 per cent of EVs were fixed on the spot, compared with 40 per cent of petrol cars. Conversely, 40 per cent of EVs required towing to a garage, while the recovery rate for petrol vehicles was a much lower 30 per cent. I drove 242-miles from UK seaside town in an electric car and it was hell The survey backs up comments made by the AA 's chief executive Jakob Pfaudler, who warned it was a 'common misconception that EVs break down less frequently than petrol and diesel vehicles'. Back in April he said: "Currently, at least, that is not the case. The breakdown rate is, in fact, slightly higher for electric vehicles than for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles." Diesel vehicles, while having a slightly lower breakdown rate than EVs, were still reported as the most likely to develop faults overall, with 31 per cent of owners reporting they experienced an issue in the past year. This is up from from 50 per cent in 2022 — suggesting that there has been some progress in diesel reliability over the past few years. There is some good news for EV owners however. The electric-powered cars were rated as the second-best fuel type for being fixed for free, with owners revealing 89 per cent of the issues reported were rectified at no cost, while a mere three per cent had to pay more than £1,500 to get their cars back on the road. ‌ The findings sparked debate within the automotive community, with some EV advocates questioning the survey's methodology and pointing to alternative data. Ben Nelmes, chief executive of the consultancy New Automotive, suggested that the UK's MOT failure rate might be a better indicator of reliability, noting that battery electric vehicles (BEVs) generally have a lower MOT failure rate than petrol and diesel cars of similar ages — aside from three-year-old vehicles, where the rates were almost identical. Ginny Buckley, chief executive of EV advice website Electrifying argued that the survey contradicts data from Start Rescue. She also highlighted that when EVs do break down, the issues are often minor and cheaper to repair thanks to the simpler engineering and fewer moving parts in EVs, rather than costing an arm and a leg like the mechanical failures common in older ICE vehicles. Ginny said: "The What Car? survey flies in the face of data from companies like Start Rescue, who last year reported that EVs are 59 per cent less likely to break down than their petrol or diesel counterparts. But when they do, the issues are often relatively minor — things like tyres, wheels, or the 12-volt battery – much the same as traditional cars. Expensive mechanical failures, which are common in older internal combustion engine vehicles, are rare thanks to the EV's simpler engineering and fewer moving parts." So while EVs currently experience more problems than conventional vehicles, as is often the case with newer technology due to teething issues, many experts expect EV reliability to improve. And on the plus side, you are far more likely to get your EV repaired for absolutely nothing.

Scottish Sun

7 hours ago

• Scottish Sun

Urgent warning to Brits trapped in Israel as UK scrambles to launch evacuation flights as tension in Middle East soars

BRITS trapped in Israel have been told to urgently contact the Foreign Office as the UK scrambles to launch evacuation flights. The first could take off as soon as today, with more to follow depending on demand and security. 1 Brits trapped in Israel have been told to urgently contact the Foreign Office Credit: Getty Efforts have been grounded due to airspace restrictions, but the Government says it is working 'at pace' with Israeli officials to get Brits home. The PM said: 'I urge all citizens to make contact with the Foreign Office so that we can facilitate whatever support is needed.' He added that the Government will help evacuate British citizens on charter flights 'as soon as we can'. Only those registering online will get a link to book, and they must not go to the airport unless told to. Seats must be paid for, and the Foreign Office said those in greatest need will be prioritised. Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel urged ministers to act faster, insisting the UK 'must not be behind the curve' in evacuating its nationals. She said: 'The Government's got to start moving fast now in terms of British nationals in Israel. 'They've been talking about this for days… Israeli airspace is shut down. 'The Americans are ready to evacuate 25,000 US nationals — we must not be behind the curve.'