This checklist covers what to check on the car before you go, the emergency kit (including what European countries legally require), first aid basics, the emergency numbers to save, what to do if you break down, and the documents to carry. Run through it a couple of days before you leave so there's time to fix anything.
Pre-Trip Vehicle Checks
Do these at least 48 hours before you leave. Our car preparation checklist goes into more detail.
Tyres
- Tread depth: The legal minimum across most of Europe is 1.6mm, but safety experts recommend at least 3mm for wet conditions. Use a tread depth gauge or the edge of a one-euro coin: if you can see the gold rim, your tread is getting low.
- Pressure: Check all four tyres plus the spare when cold. The correct pressure is listed on a sticker inside the driver's door frame or in the owner's manual. Under-inflated tyres increase fuel consumption and braking distances; over-inflated tyres reduce grip.
- Condition: Look for cracks, bulges, or embedded objects like nails and screws. A slow puncture at home is a fast puncture on a motorway.
- Spare tyre or repair kit: Many modern cars come with a tyre repair kit instead of a spare. Know which you have and check that the sealant has not expired.
Fluids and mechanical
- Engine oil: Check the dipstick. Top up if low and consider a full oil change if you are overdue.
- Coolant: Ensure the level is between the minimum and maximum marks. Never open the coolant cap when the engine is hot.
- Brake fluid: If the level is low, it may indicate worn brake pads. Have a mechanic inspect if you are unsure.
- Windscreen washer fluid: Top up with a proper screen wash, not just water. In winter, use a mix rated for sub-zero temperatures.
- Lights: Test headlights (dipped and full beam), tail lights, brake lights, indicators, and reversing lights. Carry spare bulbs if you can change them yourself; a few countries, such as Croatia, require them.
- Wipers: If they streak or judder, replace them. Wiper blades are cheap and take five minutes to fit.
Book a pre-trip vehicle health check at your local garage. Many offer a basic inspection for a small fee, and they will catch things you might miss, like a worn serpentine belt or a leaking CV boot.
Emergency Kit Essentials
Pack these in one bag in the boot where you can reach it quickly (vests excepted; see below).
Legal requirements (varies by country)
- Warning triangle: Required in almost every European country. Place it 50 metres behind your vehicle on a standard road and 100 metres on a motorway, but only if you can do so safely. On UK motorways, the Highway Code says don't use one at all.
- High-visibility vest: Required in many countries, and in several for anyone who gets out of the car, not just the driver. Keep them inside the car (not in the boot) so you can put one on before exiting the vehicle.
- Spare bulb kit: Required in a few countries, such as Croatia.
- Breathalyser: Technically required in France, though there's no fine for not carrying one.
- First aid kit: Required in Austria, Germany, Croatia, Greece, and many others.
- Fire extinguisher: Required in some countries, including Greece, Turkey and the Baltic states (in some cases only for locally registered cars).
Recommended additions
- Jump leads or a portable jump starter
- Tow rope
- Torch with spare batteries
- Duct tape and cable ties (the road trip repair duo)
- Multi-tool or basic toolkit
- Blanket (space blankets are compact and effective)
- Bottled water (at least two litres per person)
- Non-perishable snacks
- Phone charging cable and a 12V car charger
- Paper road map or atlas as backup to GPS
Keep a laminated card in your emergency kit listing the specific legal requirements for each country on your route. Rules vary: what is optional in the UK may carry an on-the-spot fine in Austria.
First Aid Basics Every Driver Should Know
A first aid kit is only useful if you know how to use it. A few basics make a real difference before help arrives. Our road trip first aid guide has more.
What to include in your first aid kit
- Adhesive bandages (plasters) in assorted sizes
- Sterile gauze pads and medical tape
- Elastic bandage for sprains
- Antiseptic wipes and cream
- Disposable gloves (at least two pairs)
- Scissors and tweezers
- Pain relief (paracetamol and ibuprofen)
- Anti-histamine tablets for allergic reactions
- Rehydration sachets
- Any personal prescription medications with enough supply for the full trip plus a few extra days
The recovery position
If someone is unconscious but breathing, placing them in the recovery position keeps their airway clear and prevents choking. Here is the basic technique:
- Kneel beside the person. Place their nearest arm at a right angle to their body, elbow bent with palm facing up.
- Bring their far arm across their chest and hold the back of their hand against their nearest cheek.
- With your other hand, grasp the far knee and pull it up so the foot is flat on the ground.
- Pull the bent knee towards you to roll the person onto their side.
- Tilt their head back slightly to keep the airway open and adjust the hand under their cheek if needed.
- Call emergency services immediately if you have not already.
Consider taking a short first aid course before your trip. The Red Cross and St John Ambulance offer half-day courses in many countries. A few hours of training could save a life.
Emergency Numbers You Need to Know
Save these numbers in your phone before you leave, and write them on a card in case your phone is dead or damaged.
Key numbers
- 112: The universal emergency number across the entire European Union. It works from any phone with signal on any network (though some countries won't take calls from a phone with no SIM), and operators can often handle calls in English. It connects to police, fire, and ambulance services.
- 999: The traditional emergency number in the United Kingdom and Ireland. 112 also works in both countries.
- 116 000: Missing child hotline, active across EU member states.
- Roadside assistance: Your breakdown cover provider's European helpline number. Save it under your emergency contacts.
Country-specific numbers worth noting
- France: 15 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire)
- Germany: 110 (police), 112 (fire and ambulance)
- Italy: 113 (police), 115 (fire), 118 (ambulance)
- Spain: 091 (national police), 062 (civil guard)
- Switzerland: 117 (police), 144 (ambulance), 140 (roadside assistance)
What to Do If You Break Down
A motorway breakdown is dangerous because of the traffic passing a few metres away. Here is what to do (our breakdown abroad guide covers who to call in each country).
- Signal and move: Turn on your hazard lights immediately. If possible, steer to the hard shoulder or the nearest safe area. On a smart motorway with no hard shoulder, move to an emergency refuge area.
- Make yourself visible: Put on your high-visibility vest before exiting the vehicle. Switch on sidelights if it is dark.
- Exit safely: Get out of the car on the side away from traffic. If you are on a motorway, all passengers should move behind the crash barrier if one exists.
- Place your warning triangle: Abroad, if it's safe, walk back along the road edge and place it at least 50 metres behind your car (100 metres on a motorway). On a UK motorway, don't.
- Call for help: Use your phone or the nearest motorway emergency phone. Give your exact location, the direction of travel, and a description of your car.
- Stay away from the vehicle: Wait well back from the traffic lanes until help arrives. Never attempt repairs on a live motorway lane.
Download the what3words app before your trip. It divides the world into three-metre squares, each with a unique three-word address. Some emergency services, particularly in the UK, accept these addresses; elsewhere, be ready to give GPS coordinates.
Documents and Insurance
Keep all documents in one wallet or folder within easy reach.
Essential documents
- Driving licence: A full, valid licence. UK photocard holders don't need an International Driving Permit in the EU or EEA, but some countries outside it require one (see using a UK licence abroad).
- UK sticker: If your number plates don't show the UK identifier.
- Vehicle registration document: The V5C in the UK, or your country's equivalent.
- Insurance certificate: Confirm your cover extends to the countries you're visiting. UK drivers don't need a Green Card in the EU, but some non-EU countries ask for one.
- Breakdown cover details: Policy number, helpline number, and what is covered.
- Passport or national ID card: Required for border crossings outside the Schengen zone.
- European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC): For emergency medical treatment in EU and EEA countries.
Digital backups
Photograph or scan every document and store copies in a secure cloud folder. If your physical documents are lost or stolen, digital copies can speed up replacements and prove your credentials to authorities.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most important item to carry on a European road trip?
A high-visibility vest is probably the most important safety item. In the event of a breakdown or accident, it makes you visible to other drivers, and in many European countries it is a legal requirement. Keep one for every passenger inside the cabin, not in the boot, so you can put it on before stepping out of the vehicle.
Do I need different safety equipment for each country?
Yes, legal requirements vary between European countries. For example, Austria and Germany require a first aid kit, France requires a breathalyser, and some Eastern European countries require a fire extinguisher. The safest approach is to carry everything: warning triangles, high-visibility vests, spare bulbs, first aid kit, and a fire extinguisher. That combination covers the requirements of virtually every European country.
How often should I check my car during a multi-day road trip?
Do a quick walk-around every morning before you set off. Check tyre pressures and look for any obvious damage, leaks, or warning lights. Top up washer fluid whenever you refuel. If you are driving long distances daily, a more thorough check every three to four days is sensible, including checking oil levels and ensuring your lights all work.