Newly qualified driver in Europe

Stonker

I'm off skiing with my son next week. He's only just passed his test and is 18yo. We will be travelling in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. Is anyone aware of anyy reasons why I couldn't let him share some of the driving?

Old_Git

Stonker wrote: »

I'm off skiing with my son next week. He's only just passed his test and is 18yo. We will be travelling in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria. Is anyone aware of anyy reasons why I couldn't let him share some of the driving?

do you mean legally or letting him drive on the other side off the road .

Stonker

Legally. He reckons he can't drive in france until he's had his licence for 2 or 3 years

Ultrasonic

I suspect that if you get quotes for insurance to cover your son driving abroad you may get some somewhat exciting numbers thrown at you...

I've never heard of a legal requirement to have been driving for a number of years before doing so abroad, but I'm not an expert. Might your son be thinking of typical restrictions from hire car companies though?

Ultrasonic

Out of curiousity I just had a nose online. Government advice here links to the following advice from the AA and RAC:

http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/touring_tips/france-monaco.pdf
http://www.rac.co.uk/travel/driving-abroad/countries/france/

From a quick scan, neither seem to place any restriction other than your son needing to be 18.

Iceweasel

Stonker wrote: »

Legally. He reckons he can't drive in france until he's had his licence for 2 or 3 years

Where did he get this idea from?

I've never heard of this.

The legal age in most of Europe is 18.

Gibraltar is 19 I think - but I doubt if there are many ski-slopes there. LOL

Check with your insurance company as to the level of cover any of the drivers will have, as there are still some which say that they only give the minimum level of cover - and do not automatically give you the same level of cover as you have in the UK.

Green Cards are no longer a legal requirement - and many folks misinterpret this to mean that their comprehensive UK policy gives them comprehensive cover in all 28 EU countries + Norway & Switzerland.

Stonker

My son is a named driver on the policy and it does procide full European cover. I will check with them but I don't think insurance will be the issue

dacouch

Stonker wrote: »

My son is a named driver on the policy and it does procide full European cover. I will check with them but I don't think insurance will be the issue

Roundabouts and junctions would be my major worry for him

victor2

dacouch wrote: »

Roundabouts and junctions would be my major worry for him

That and trying to change gear with the door handle.

Iceweasel

Stonker wrote: »

My son is a named driver on the policy and it does procide full European cover. I will check with them but I don't think insurance will be the issue

Yes - that's the wording that needs to be queried with them.

What does full European cover actually mean?

It perhaps does not mean what you think it means.

You may find that they say it covers you in all EU countries + N & CH.

That could be 3rd party only.

If it means your comprehensive cover is extended to EU + N & CH then that's fine.

UK insurance companies are very imprecise with their use of the word 'European'.

No UK company that I know of will give any level of cover at all for Albania, Bosnia & Hercegovina or Montenegro. Many will not cover Serbia.

You are going on a simple skiing trip and not venturing that far afield - but for the price of a phone call I would advise you to be absolutely sure of the level of cover they are providing outside of UK.

I organize adventure trips to the Balkans and inspect the participants documents carefully before setting off.

Every time some folks get a big surprise and have to weigh up the risks of continuing.

Enjoy the pistes.

Stonker

Lol...don't worry about him on the right. He's been driving on a farm since he was 12 and tractors on the road for the last years do probably not your typical newly qualified driver. Most will be on the motorway anyway.

I have driven thousands of miles all over Europe and change over seamlessly. My question was more about the legality than anything else