It can also be good to make photocopies of your passport, credit card, tickets and important documents. These should be packed separately from the originals.

Signs and traffic rules

When driving in Europe, signage is the same throughout Europe but traffic rules may vary. It is your responsibility to inform yourself about the traffic rules that apply in the countries you will visit. Fines are also issued abroad and should usually be paid in cash. In some countries, it is mandatory to have reflective vests, fire extinguishers, and extra light bulbs in the car. Also, take a warning triangle and first aid kit as it is mandatory in several countries and recommended in other countries. In some countries, a tow rope is also required. In France, you should bring an alcohol breath tester and these can be purchased as disposable testers at French gas stations. In all EU countries, you must use seat belts in all types of vehicles, including tourist buses and minibuses. Children must use car seats or booster seats in cars and trucks and in other vehicles if possible. Children under 12 years old are not allowed to sit in the front seat of a car. If you drive a motorhome in Germany, it may be necessary to obtain an environmental label.

In Spain, the allowed blood alcohol level is 0.5% which corresponds to a consumption of about one standard drink per hour. In Spain, it is forbidden to park within 7 meters of a bus or tram stop. Where it is a one-way street, you can park on the sidewalk where there are even numbers on the houses. If there is a parking meter, you usually only have to pay between 9:30 am and 2:00 pm and between 4:30 pm and 8:00 pm. But of course, you should check the meter. It is not allowed to honk between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am when driving in a densely populated area. It is only in emergency situations or to prevent a collision or accident that you are allowed to use the horn. It is important to use blinkers when passing someone or when returning to the lane when driving in Spain. In Spain, there are both toll roads, toll-free roads, four-lane roads, roads with two lanes and normal country roads. In Spain, there are two different types of highways, autopista and autovia. Autopista is a toll road and autovia is a toll-free road. When traveling in Italy and Spain and for example, having a bike on the back, it must be marked with a large red/white-striped sign. There are different signs that apply in different EU countries, so it can be good to read up on what applies in different countries if you are going through several countries

Toll roads

It is also good to know that in some countries, the roads are toll roads. Make sure to pay because in many southern countries, there can be hefty fines if you cheat. There may also be special rules for heavy motorhomes. Road tolls are paid in different ways where in some countries, there are manned toll booths along the roads. In some countries, you buy a vignette in advance, which is a sticker that is placed on the windshield. Sometimes the vehicle is recorded by a camera, and then you must pay the fee within a certain time on an account or pay cash at a payment point. Many roads are toll roads, but also tunnels, ferries and bridges can be toll roads. In more and more countries, it is forbidden with car traffic in the center, except for those with permission. There are also environmental charges or requirements for environmental decals. Read about rules and fees for different countries. For example, in Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Hungary, a sticker on the windshield is required when driving on a highway, a so-called Autobahn vignette. You buy it at major gas stations in border areas or at the border. The police fine if you do not have this sticker or if the sticker is placed incorrectly or loosely or if old stickers are still in place. These stickers are available for shorter or longer periods. If you have a heavy motorhome, over 3.5 tons total weight, you will need to pay a kilometer fee in many countries

Mobile phone ban

It is prohibited to talk on a mobile phone while driving in all EU countries, you will be fined immediately if you are caught. There are also rules for talking on a hands-free in some countries.

Gas

It is also worth checking up on gas bottles before traveling as all countries have their own gas bottles. In other European countries, you may need a separate valve and an adapter to use gas bottles from other European countries. If you want to fill up the Swedish gas bottle, you may need an adapter, which you can often buy in hardware stores. But it’s still good to check it out before. In Spain, gas bottles often have a regional origin. It is then not guaranteed that you can exchange a bottle bought in Malaga with a bottle in Barcelona

Current maps

Remember to bring a clear and current road map and updated maps/apps for GPS, smartphone or tablet. If you’re out driving with a caravan or a large motorhome, it’s important to know what the roads look like so you can get on the road and not have to turn on a narrow street or accidentally drive on a road that suddenly ends.

Borrowed vehicle

If the car is borrowed or leased, you must have a written permission from the owner.

Credit cards

It can be good to have two different credit cards, one of which is a credit card. These should be stored in different places. Also, remember to bring the phone number of the bank’s block service. It may also be good to bring foreign currency in cash as cards are not welcome everywhere. Also, remember to empty your wallet and purse of unnecessary things that you don’t need on the trip.

Traveling with children

If you are traveling abroad with children who you are not a guardian of or have shared custody with a parent who is not on the trip, you need to have a parent’s permission.

Different accessories that are good to bring

It is also good to bring motorhome accessories such as a mobile phone, charger, flashlight, parking disc, motorhome or caravan spare key, sunglasses. Bring your own water hose with a number of different connections. On campsites there are often water hoses, but it may happen that some use them to flush the toilet cassette which is not so fresh when you’re filling up your water. You can also have a water can. It can be good to have a small toolbox with different tools such as, for example, jump cables, tow rope, jack, wheel wrench, hammer, chisels, pliers, polygrip, shift, ring and Allen keys, work gloves, silver tape, knife, steel wire, household paper, rags, plastic bags, flashlight, motor oil, coolant, windshield washer fluid, water bottle, umbrella, thick clear plastic if you temporarily need to cover a broken window. It is always good to have a roll of silver tape and black garbage bags if something unexpected breaks and needs to be fixed. On some campsites there may be a ban on coal grills so it may be good to bring a gas grill instead if you want to be able to grill. With the fact that you in some countries have to bring a first aid kit, you might as well pack with you remedies for car sickness, fever, diarrhea and constipation, headache tablets, plasters, salve for insect bites, wet wipes, sun protection and cooling lotion. In most European countries it is required to have a reflective vest for everyone in the car. If you are going out on a traffic road you have to wear the vest so it should be easily accessible in the car. If you are going during winter time on winter road conditions it is good to have a snow shovel, snow brush, ice scraper, connection cable to the engine heater.

Renting a motorhome in Spain

If you feel that you do not want to drive a motorhome all the way down to Spain and the Costa del Sol, but still want to drive around with a motorhome along this beautiful coast, it is possible to rent a motorhome on site in Spain. Then you just take the flight down to Malaga and there is Europe’s largest motorhome rental company McRent. In Malaga, you pick up the motorhome that you have chosen to rent and set out on a cozy adventure. Then you just return the motorhome at the same place and take the flight home again.