Driving in other countries

[tammybear]

I just wanted some advice about driving in other countries. I'm going away to Belgium for a few days in August, and the plan is to get a ferry to France and drive from there. Only I'm the main driver and I have never driven abroad before, so rather nervous about the whole idea. Any tips or advice anyone can pass onto me please? Thanks.

PS. No dd with me, so I don't have to worry about her in the travel arrangements too, just so you know.

In belgium watch out for righthand priority. On roads that don't have the priority sign the traffic can join the road from your right. You have to give way.

Also trams have automatic priorty & will pull out. Think you can't overtake a parked tram when people are getting off.

Have a parking disc - blue. Some zones need this to park for free in a limited time. There's a parking disc sign - the traffic wardens check these zones frequently.

Check the names in flemish & french or your destination. The signs will change from french to flemish as you enter & leave diff language areas. Some places read completely differently - & on a motorway you don't want to be confused about where you're going.

Good luck!!!

Excellent advice - where about's in Belgium are you going??? Bruxelles (Brussel) is a nightmare to drive around unless you really know it well, especially with the priority from the right - main roads included. Be warned, Belgians are agressive drivers as a rule and very fast - the Dutch hate them!!!! Mind you having said that my dh (dutch) is also very fast and aggressive. Better since he's been fined for speeding a few times :o Make sure you have the correct insurance to cover you - a warning triangle in the car and a first aid kit. Also spare bulbs for headlights. Recommend if you are going away from major cities that you get a Michelin map not cheap but very good. Just ignore the speeders let them pass and you'll be fine. Good signposting and easy to find car parks. Enjoy your trip.

Thanks guys. We're going Hasselt-Kiewit way, if anyone knows it. Are the road signs relatively the same as our ones, and easy to read? The ones that aren't in a different language of course, lol. I'm just looking on The AA website for directions.

Not sure where it is in Belgium but reads as though in the flemish speaking area. You probably will avoid having to drive through Brussels. In my experience the motorways where fine. Keep an eye out on directions. Alipiggie is right to say ignore drivers that are aggressive & speed. Pedestrain crossings are largly ignored - people don't stop unless you actually step out & then only grudgingly - very dangerous.

Other things - You some times need a coin to pay for the loo - a 50cents. Plus stock up on chocs & waffles!!!

Hehe, yup, I'm looking forward to the chocolate shopping! Thanks for your help, and yeah that's the flemish speaking area. :)

Hi, just so you know, this is an easy drive, really straightforward if you print out a routeplanner. Beware the traffic jams though, keep water and snacks in car. Don´t know how many times I´ve been completely stuck on what should have been a really fast trip!