Europe

[Stimpy]

Wife and me + little one are thinking of doing a European tour in the stag when spring comes proper!

Not sure where yet - probably go northern then down then west again back to blighty. Lots of countries.

Are there any gotchas?

I know I have to pack a triangle and fluorescent jacket.
Are there even more harsh rules like are there cars that won't allow ANY non-CAT cars - eg switzerland?

I've been to france and back in a friend's car and we did not stick a GB sign and no-one stopped us so I believe that's not important.

And I will DEFINITELY not fit those chav boy "traitor plates" (those awful plates you find on plastic covered saxos's, novas etc with the EU 'flag' above a silly little 'GB' - plus I don't want to drive a beautiful British car with *that* sign on it - sort of taking the p**** and forgetting what happened to the car industry!!)

So - any odd rules other than the jacket and triangle?

Cheers again

Steve

[dasadrew]

A few starters:

Germany: Most cities now have an "Environment Zone" which you can only enter if you have the appropriate sticker or have a registered "classic car". Exceptions for foreign vehicles are not made, but I think the fine is reasonable. Apparently, you can actually get these stickers from affiliated motoring associations. http://www.umwelt-plakette.de/deutsc...mweltzonen.php

If you've not driven on German Autobahns before, please be very attentive in the lefthand lane(s). There really are cars coming up behind you at 300 km/h. Even doing 250 km/h I have to keep checking the rearview mirror!

Don't mention the war.

Italy: You must drive with lights on always.

France: Speed limit is 110 km/h and not 130km/h on Autoroutes if there is any precipitation (fog, rain, sleet, snow, mist). Zero tolerance on speed limits. I've paid my 35€ twice now for 1km/h and 4 km/h above the limit on the Autoroute.

Austria: Don't forget the Autobahn Maut (toll sticker). There are a couple of little "feeder" stretches of about 1 km and everyone thinks they can get away with it, so that is where the Gendarmes set up the traps!

[RogerP]

Hi Drew
This is what the Germans have sent to us regarding the forthcoming ESM in Cologne. Will also send you some information via Email in German, which I'm sure you can translate the important bits for us.

E10 Petrol
They started to distribute a new petrol with 10 % ethanol which might cause damage to older car engines.
Although up to now it didn't arrive here in North-Rhine-Westfalia it might be at the pump stations in June.
That's why I send out the warning.
Petrol with only 5 % ethanol - called 'Super Plus (98 ROZ)' at the pump stations - is no problem at all and will be available for many years, hence also in June.

environmental zone
Big cities in Germany declared their downtown area as such. Cars are allowed to enter these zones only with a special windscreen sticker.
However, cars older than 30 years are allowed to enter without such a badge.
German cars older than 30 years cary an 'H' (for Historic)in their licence plate.
Foreign cars from Europe older than 30 years are also allowed to enter the zones. What they told us was if we got stopped all we had to do was show them the log book to prove the vehicle is over 30 years old
This is what the ADAC information says.
By the way, up to now nobody was ever fined (40 Euros) for breaking this rule.

[ethel]

Steve, I think you'll also need a set of spare bulbs for the car and flourescent jackets for each person - and maybe a second triangle as well so you can put one out as an advanced warning and one closer to the car (though of course the Stag won't breakdown).
John

[RogerP]

Steve......Just look at the RAC site and put in what countries you are going too, you will get a list of do's and dont's

http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/

Rogerp

[dasadrew]

Roger,

the E10 is flopping big style in Germany, so should definitely not be a problem.

the environmental zones all had a "grace period" where no fines would be levied. This must be coming to an end now. Hence no fines up to now! In actual fact, that was a big flop too, so I'm not sure whether it will be disassembled soon. The hint to "show them your logbook" is ok if someone is there to show it to! Otherwise it's doing postal battle with the German authorities or legging it!

Fines and penalties for a lot of these niggling local or national law things boil down to you not being able to be traced as a foreigner. It is up to each person, I guess, to say whether they'll just "blag it" 'cos they're a Johnny Foreigner and you can't catch me or whether they respect other countries' rules and regs.

Drew

[Andrew S]

http://www.theplatemarket.com/display_of_registration_numbers.php

[peterrc]

Hi Stimpy, I suggest that you have a look at http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...equipment.html
it covers anywhere that you are likely to go.
Happy motoring
Peter, Cupar

[StagnJag]

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/general_advice.html

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/

List of compulsory equipment here: http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice...equipment.html

You can get magnetic GB stickers so you can put one on the car when you need to, i.e. in Europe, and keep it on the fridge for the rest of the year!

[martin]

Hiya, it might be wise to carry some tools and basic spares, most suppliers will let you have these on a "sale or Return" basis, so it need not cost anything. Martin.

[Guest]

How disappointing.I read the thread title and thought it was going to be the place to have a good bitch about the EU

[Stimpy]

Wife and me + little one are thinking of doing a European tour in the stag when spring comes proper!

Not sure where yet - probably go northern then down then west again back to blighty. Lots of countries.

Are there any gotchas?

I know I have to pack a triangle and fluorescent jacket.
Are there even more harsh rules like are there cars that won't allow ANY non-CAT cars - eg switzerland?

I've been to france and back in a friend's car and we did not stick a GB sign and no-one stopped us so I believe that's not important.

And I will DEFINITELY not fit those chav boy "traitor plates" (those awful plates you find on plastic covered saxos's, novas etc with the EU 'flag' above a silly little 'GB' - plus I don't want to drive a beautiful British car with *that* sign on it - sort of taking the p**** and forgetting what happened to the car industry!!)

So - any odd rules other than the jacket and triangle?

Cheers again

Steve

Nice load of advice here.
This has GOT to be the best 'single marque' website out there - where else would you get 10 posts in 24 hours?
There's a mini website (as in 'the mini car' - not 'small website, say 1 quarter of a page long) - I've got a mini and an Elf too, see.

Ok - I'll come back on each one where necessary.
The German environmental zone - sounds like our London one but more strict!
A post further on mentions taking the log book as proof of vintage.
One wonders if they'll say "Ver ist your peppers' !
Autobahn - one for my mini - it's a fire breathing supercharged a-series with all the rally extras. However - a tour in that thing with the little one being squeezed into the back all the time would deafen us and do our backs in. Could take the elise - but only 2 seats.
With a ZF fitted to the Stag at least I can go sensibly fast.
All that km/h stuff - I can't talk in euro's but I know 100 euros = 62 'proper' mph - so some mental gymnastics and I can work it out. Of course there are those tiny purple numbers on the speedo which everyone normally ignores. I'll refer to them for legal purposes!

Italy - lights on: Well I did notice our taxi (s few yrs back) was doing about 80 (mph) down the middle of the road from airport to hotel. This practise was widespread but noticed not one accident!

France - don't get caught! My friend managed to do the maximum speed in his peugout 305 constantly on the m/way!

Austria - 'Maut' - can you buy these stickers on tinternet?

Question about Switzerland - essentially a direct democracy police state - they are big on all things green. Although they do make me green with envy that they're not in the EU! Put that aside do you think 20 mpg gas pumpers will be ok in their 'green and pleasant (and islam-controlled)' country?

[Stimpy]

Hi Drew
This is what the Germans have sent to us regarding the forthcoming ESM in Cologne. Will also send you some information via Email in German, which I'm sure you can translate the important bits for us.

E10 Petrol
They started to distribute a new petrol with 10 % ethanol which might cause damage to older car engines.
Although up to now it didn't arrive here in North-Rhine-Westfalia it might be at the pump stations in June.
That's why I send out the warning.
Petrol with only 5 % ethanol - called 'Super Plus (98 ROZ)' at the pump stations - is no problem at all and will be available for many years, hence also in June.

environmental zone
Big cities in Germany declared their downtown area as such. Cars are allowed to enter these zones only with a special windscreen sticker.
However, cars older than 30 years are allowed to enter without such a badge.
German cars older than 30 years cary an 'H' (for Historic)in their licence plate.
Foreign cars from Europe older than 30 years are also allowed to enter the zones. What they told us was if we got stopped all we had to do was show them the log book to prove the vehicle is over 30 years old
This is what the ADAC information says.
By the way, up to now nobody was ever fined (40 Euros) for breaking this rule.

Hmm - could be a good idea to take those new additives for e10 stuff - just in case

[Stimpy]

Steve, I think you'll also need a set of spare bulbs for the car and flourescent jackets for each person - and maybe a second triangle as well so you can put one out as an advanced warning and one closer to the car (though of course the Stag won't breakdown).
John

Argggh! Yes - I totally forgot that one - spare bulbs - they're required in some countries. Ok will sort that one out.

Ta.

[Stimpy]

Some handy web links have been provided - thanks to all who have added them