Driving to the continent?

Question

I am driving through the continent to visit Italy by car this week from the UK. I have read that it is the law in Italy that motorsts have to carry all sorts of things with them in their cars: spare lightbulbs, red triangles, first aid kid, headlamp adjusters and even a luminous vest for each occupant of the car! The list of this junk is endless... and it is SO expensive to buy! More expensive than the ferry ticket by far!

It all this stuff really necessary, does anyone over there actually have any of it, and what happens if you don't have it? Is this just an excuse for bored policemen to pull over foreign cars and fine the drivers??

As Bentley Boy says: “…if plod stops you it will be an on the spot fine! (especially because on uk plates)…” and “…Unlike the UK plod will stop you for no reason…”

Thus my question is not prompted though any wish to disrespect the laws of a foreign country whilst a visitor: it's more that as a foreigner one is more exposed to - and vulnerable to - rouses and scams to rip you off and cause inconvenience. Regrettably some nation's authorities and officials have a greater culture of corruption than others and it is surely best to be aware of these and how to avoid them beforehand rather than after. And anyone who doesn’t believe this... sorry, the truth is you're living in a dreamland!

Answer 1

The first thing you learn about spending time abroad is to respect the laws and customs of the place you are visiting.

Headlamp adjusters are completely neccesary if you are driving a right hand drive car in the dark there. If you are in a position to call upon the warning triangle or first aid kit, you had better have them or face on the spot fines.

Answer 2

It may not be law to have the warning triangle, first aid kit, spare bulbs in the UK, but it doesn't hurt to have them any way. As for hi viz at £2 each even if you've got a 7 seater £14 won't break the bank. How big is the fine?
Umm part 2, well on Sardinia at least they seem to ignore the rule about using head lights all the time, and I don't recall seeing the other bits in the hire car I had there last year so probably not. I also managed to drive into a pedestrian only area, policeman on his motorbike accepted I was a tourist who hardly spoke any Italian and escorted me to where I was looking for, maybe I was lucky or maybe Italian traffic cops aren't as officious as ours?

Answer 3

I have 20 years of driving experience through the continent with cars, buses and trucks and most of these requirements came in over that time. You won't be pulled over and checked for any of this stuff, but if you breakdown and start messing with your car without a hi-visibility vest on the autostrada at night, without any lights and with no warning ahead that you are there, a passing cop might not be too happy about the situation and when he stops and finds out that you have no first aid kit either, you might get a ticket.

It's all common sense really, but don't be too concerned by the notices at the ferry port advertising these products at ridiculous prices and suggesting that you may be locked up on a diet of bread and water in solitary confinement for five years by driving without a spare headlight bulb with you.

But then again why not pop into Woolworth's and get the whole lot for less than a tenner, just for piece of mind?

Simon

Answer 4

It is absolutely necessary. Its a hefty fine if your unlucky enough to breakdown and haven't got a yellow jacket and red triangles when you get out of the car. If you don't have the headlight adjusters and drive at night, you will be blinded by the constant flashing of drivers telling you your lights are blinding them. Its not worth the hassle.

I'm not living in dreamland, I'm living in Spain and have two vehicles with UK plates, and in the 5 years I've been here, I've never been stopped once, but I wouldn't have worried anyway, because I have all the necessary bits and pieces.

Answer 5

It is a risk as on the spot fines are the norm for us Brits and the other 'visitors. It might seem like an extre load of junk, but the fine would cost you more than the items you are required to take,

Answer 6

Sorry but you will have to carry it all! if plod stops you it will be an on the spot fine! (especially because on uk plates) and have all your docs to hand to keep plod happy . Watch your speed as well as thats an on the spot fine as well!! Unlike the uk plod will stop you for no reason. just to check docs . Safe journey

Answer 7

I drove across the continent last year and i had to buy all these bits.
But when i go again iam only taking the packaging on my headlight adjusters as when i hit bad weather my lights only just lit the road they might adjust the beam but gave me no real beam.(I i get stopped i will takr the risk of blaming losing them to the bad glue or continetal thieves.
But deff get these bits mines in the car all the time now abroad or not as may aswell keep it altogether.

Answer 8

It is a legal requirement in Europe, the same as we have legal requirements in the U.K.

Do you regard the requirement to have a minimum tread depth on your tyres, or a tax disc, or working lights as 'just an excuse for bored policemen to pull over cars and fine the drivers'?

No, I didn't think you did...

Answer 9

u.s. to Eurasia would be impossible till you do it in wintry climate around the pole. And Eurasia to Australia is impossible as Australia is surrounded by water as is the south pole, something of the observe is bodily achieveable, in spite of the very shown fact that there are political issues in some areas. Russia isn't prepared on adventures and the middle east and northern Africa and center u.s. are no longer the main good factors.

Answer 10

You do need it,by law. Will you be stopped only to check you have all these items? probably not but if you are, its a fine or?