If you have any plans to ever drive in Europe, I highly recommend reading this book. It's a small guide - easy to tuck into your backpack or purse.
The book starts with a "The first time" chapter for those who have never driven in a foreign country. Page 11 contains a really nifty checklist of what to bring with you (such as an evidence of driving record).
Skip over to page 14 or the "What to Take" chapter which contains more useful information on what you need to legally drive in Europe. Some of them should be provided by the car owner or the rental company but make sure you know how to obtain it in an emergency or police situation.
Be sure to read through the "Insurance and Breakdown Cover" chapter to understand the basic coverages and whether you might want to get extra coverage.
"Crossing the Chanel" chapter, a really short chapter, provides a useful overview for those who need to utilize crossings (such as the Western Channel between France and Spain or the Channel between France and the UK.
The next chapter explains the process of fueling your vehicle (if it requires petrol or diesel). There are QR codes which take you to websites that explain in more detail the different types of energy.
"The other side of the road" is a good explanation of driving on the left side of the road (like in the UK and Ireland).
The tiny chapter "Traffice offences in Europe" gives a quick "beward" type message on being aware of avoiding traffic tickets.
This is followed by three very short chapters - "Disabled travellers", "Travelling with children" and "Travelling with pets"
A more useful chapter is "Driving in cities". There are some good tips here. For better planning, I'd do a quick search in youtube or the web for specific cities you plan to visit to see any gotchas or must-knows.
There is a nice section on winter driving. Earlier in the book there was a brief mention on weather and road conditions.
If anything, be sure to read the "What to do: accidents and car crime" so that you are prepared and ready in an emergency situation as well as the following chapter, "What to do: breakdowns". Being prepared is smart.
The rest of the book is divided into regions then further divided into specific countries. Look for the locations you plan to visit. Each location contains roads, rules, tolls, speed limits, and other useful information.
In summary, try to find this book in your local library to get a good overview on preparing for your trip. Keep in mind, even though this is labeled as a New Edition, it was published in 2016. So be sure to verify all the information ahead of your trip.
Title: The Essential Guide to Driving in Europe
Author: Julian Parish
ISBN: 978-1787113039
Pages: 144
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