Travelling Abroad - Equipment required

When driving in Europe , you will be required by law to carry certain essential pieces of equipment, such as a Warning Triangle, First Aid Kit, Fire Extinguisher, and Spare Light Bulbs. In some countries, such as Spain , if you need glasses to drive, you are expected to have a spare pair with you in the car.

New traffic regulations in Spain and Italy now require drivers to carry a reflective jacket in their car at all times. Reflective jackets must be worn by drivers when they get out of their car in the event of a breakdown or an accident at night or in poor visibility. Non compliance with the regulations will result in an on-the-spot fine. For further details of these and other traffic regulations please visit the British Embassy web site on the 'Country Guide' page.

There are other regulations you should be aware of:-

• It is also a requirement under European Union regulations that Headlamp Beam Converters are fitted to your car to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers with dipped headlights when you're driving on the right.
• Snow chains are a legal requirement in winter in alpine areas and in the Scandinavian countries (again see the individual country guides for further information).
• It is also a legal requirement to place a GB sticker on your car when driving a British car in Europe . In some countries, it is illegal to carry spare cans of fuel in your car (for example, Greece , Italy and Portugal .

Please see the individual country guides for the traffic rules and regulations and for details of the essential equipment that you are required to carry in your car when driving in Europe .