What to Check Before Driving Abroad This Summer

Planning a European road trip this summer? Whether you're heading to France, Spain, Italy, or anywhere else on the continent or around the world, a little preparation before you leave Ireland can save you time, money, and stress. Use this comprehensive driving abroad checklist to ensure you have everything covered, including considerations for family members travelling with you.

At Gerry Caffrey Motors in Terenure, we regularly help customers prepare their cars for holiday driving. From checking tyres to making sure your documents are in order, a few simple checks can make all the difference once you're on the road.

Carry Out a Vehicle Inspection

A thorough vehicle inspection should be your first priority before any long journey.

Check the following before you leave:

• Spare fuel and spare wheel or tyre repair kit
• Windscreen wipers
• Headlights, brake lights, indicators, replacement bulbs, and adjust headlights for driving on the right side of the road
• Battery condition
• Engine oil and other fluid levels, including washer fluid and brake fluid
• Tyre pressure and tread depth

Irish roads and weather are very different from long motorway journeys across Europe. Hotter temperatures and extended driving place extra strain on your vehicle, making these checks even more important.

In our experience, many holiday breakdowns could have been avoided with a simple inspection before departure.

Make Sure Your Car Is Roadworthy and Compliant

Before travelling abroad, make sure your vehicle is in good mechanical condition and complies with local laws and justice regulations.

If your service is due soon, it's worth having it completed before you leave. Also check that your NCT is valid and deal with any warning lights or unusual noises before setting off.

Ensure you have safety equipment required by certain countries, such as a fire extinguisher, warning triangle, reflective jackets, and a first aid kit. Carry a European driving kit to avoid fines.

Adjust your headlights for driving on the right side of the road using beam converters if necessary.

A well-maintained car is safer, more reliable, and often more fuel-efficient during long-distance travel.

Check Your Travel Documents and Permits

Before crossing into Europe, make sure you have all the necessary travel documents, as well as proof of insurance cover.

These include:

• Ferry or tunnel booking confirmations
• Visa if required for certain countries
• European breakdown assistance information and breakdown cover
• Travel insurance documents submitted online for easy access
• Motor insurance details, including insurance green card if required
• Vehicle Registration Certificate (VRC)
• Passport or travel document (national passport or 1951 Convention Travel Document for refugees and those with subsidiary protection status)
• Full Irish driving licence (an International Driving Permit may be required in some countries)

Many countries require you to carry other documents and comply with their laws, so it's worth double checking local regulations before you travel.

If you have been granted permission under special circumstances—such as being a programme refugee or having subsidiary protection status—you may need to obtain specific travel documents through Immigration Service Delivery. The process can take up to 20 weeks, so plan accordingly.

Prepare for European Roads and Local Rules

Driving abroad isn't difficult, but there are a few differences from driving in Ireland.

Keep in mind that:

• Be aware of local laws and fines; compliance is essential to avoid penalties.
• Plan rest breaks to avoid fatigue.
• Download offline maps and emergency contact numbers for convenience.
• Parking rules can change from one destination to another.
• Fuel station payment systems may differ; carrying a debit card is convenient.
• Some cities operate low-emission zones requiring stickers or permits.
• Many motorways have tolls; keep loose change or a debit card handy to cover unexpected costs.
• Speed limits vary between countries.

Planning your route in advance helps avoid unnecessary surprises during your journey.

Pack a Travel Pack and Emergency Kit

It's always a good idea to carry a travel pack containing all important documents and an emergency kit.

Useful items include:

• Spare bulbs and other safety equipment
• Drinking water
• First aid kit (mandatory in many EU countries)
• Tyre inflator
• Jump leads
• Phone charger
• Torch
• Fire extinguisher
• High-visibility vest (reflective jackets are mandatory in many countries)
• Warning triangle

Carrying both physical and digital copies of important documents is advisable. These items take up very little space but can be invaluable if you encounter unexpected problems.

Confirm Insurance and Breakdown Cover

Check with your insurance company to ensure your insurance cover extends to driving abroad and complies with the law in each country you plan to visit.

Inform your insurer of your travel dates to avoid issues with claims.

Consider obtaining travel insurance in addition to your motor insurance and European Health Insurance Card.

UK drivers do not need a green card for EU insurance, but some insurance policies require notification before driving abroad, so verify this with your insurer.

European breakdown cover is essential and can include vehicle repatriation options, saving you from costly repairs or towing fees abroad.

If renting a rental car, carefully review the rental car insurance cover and consider excess insurance to protect against unexpected costs.

Important Notes on Driving Abroad

It’s worth double checking all requirements before you travel, as rules can change and vary between countries.

Most countries require you to carry specific safety equipment and documents, so it’s a good idea to inspect your vehicle and travel pack thoroughly.

Know the local emergency number (such as 112 in EU countries) and roadside assistance contact information before you travel.

Expect to request additional permits or documents if you have been granted permission under special circumstances, such as refugees or programme refugees.

The process for obtaining travel documents for refugees can take up to 20 weeks, so plan accordingly.

Ensure your vehicle registration document (V5C or VRC) is included in your travel pack.

Paying attention to these details reduces the risk of fines or complications during your trip.

Is Your Car Ready for a European Road Trip?

If your current car is showing its age or you want more reliability and comfort for your family members, now could be the perfect time to upgrade before your holiday.

Suzuki models such as the Vitara, Swift, and S-Cross are excellent choices for European driving. They're comfortable, fuel-efficient, and well suited to everything from city breaks to long motorway journeys.

At Gerry Caffrey Motors, we stock a wide selection of premium new and used Suzuki vehicles, with flexible finance options and competitive trade-in offers available.

We often see most people choosing to upgrade before a major holiday so they can travel with greater comfort, reliability, and peace of mind.

A Quick Holiday Driving Checklist

Before you leave Ireland, make sure you've covered the essentials:

✔ Rental car insurance checked if applicable

✔ Funds available for tolls, fuel, and unexpected costs

✔ Route planned with offline maps and local rules checked

✔ Emergency kit ready with fire extinguisher, warning triangle, and reflective vest

✔ Travel insurance and European breakdown cover confirmed

✔ International Driving Permit if required

✔ Travel pack with passport or travel documents, driving licence, insurance cover, and other documents

✔ Service up to date and NCT valid

✔ Tyres checked and spare wheel usable

✔ Vehicle inspection completed, including fluid levels and safety equipment

A little preparation goes a long way. If you're thinking about upgrading before your next European road trip, visit Gerry Caffrey Motors in Terenure, Dublin 6W, and let our company help you find a Suzuki that's ready for every adventure.