Knowledge base · Seasonal
Driving in Germany, France and Belgium — what to take
A border crossing is a sign by the road these days, but the rules behind it genuinely differ. Mandatory equipment, low-emission zones and penalty systems vary per country — and they change. Here is what to arrange in advance and where we help you technically.
Equipment: always carry the minimum
Exact obligations differ per country and are adjusted periodically; so check the current requirements for the countries on your route shortly before departure. What you want with you in practice:
- A warning triangle.
- A high-visibility vest — within reach inside the car, not in the boot under the luggage. In several countries you must put it on before getting out.
- Spare bulbs or a repair kit, depending on your car.
- A tyre repair kit or spare wheel, with the matching tools.
Low-emission zones
Many German cities operate an Umweltplakette: without the correct sticker you may not enter the zone, even if your car is clean enough. In France various cities use a comparable system with its own vignette, sometimes with temporary restrictions during smog. Belgium has low-emission zones with registration in several cities. Check in advance whether your route passes through such a zone and arrange the vignette well ahead — buying one on the spot is usually not possible.
Documents
- Driving licence and registration document.
- Insurance documents; check that your cover applies abroad and whether breakdown assistance is included.
- A valid APK. An expired APK is a problem you certainly don't want abroad.
- If you are driving a car that isn't yours (lease, employer, borrowed), take written permission with you.
Technically: what a long drive stresses more
Motorway runs with a fully loaded car are a different matter from town traffic. The points that count then — tyres, brakes, cooling, lighting and fluids — are set out in our holiday check. One detail people forget: a fully loaded car sits lower at the back, which aims the headlights higher. Use the headlight levelling if your car has it.
Breaking down on the way
Put your breakdown assistance number in your phone before you leave, including the policy number. Check whether your cover includes towing and repatriation costs; that varies considerably per policy. Heading to Poland or further east? Our pre-departure check for long drives is a good starting point.
What we do beforehand
We check tyres, brakes, suspension, cooling, battery, lighting and fluids and tell you honestly what must be done before departure and what can wait. Book that a week ahead — then there is still time to order parts. We do not advise on current legal requirements per country; check those at the official source for the country concerned, shortly before departure.
You can arrange all of this in English, Dutch or Polish — at our garage in Tilburg.