Plan the ultimate road trip with this quick checklist

A road trip planner

Suppose you plan on going on holiday for an extended period. In that case, a car provides you with the freedom to go wherever you want. However, especially now, when the Coronavirus is spreading, it is helpful to be independent of third parties for your transport options.

Make sure to plan your trip with the checklist below.

1. Important documents

Make an electronic copy of your documents. Keep it in the ‘cloud’ so that these are always accessible, for example, after theft or an accident.

Passport, driving licence and/or ID card.

Check well before departure whether passport, ID card and driving licence are valid (for a more extended period). If in doubt, request a new one.
In some countries, a passport must be valid for at least 6 months during your stay.
Not all EU-member states accept a European ID card as a valid travel document. Therefore, check-in advance whether you need a passport on the website of the relevant national government.
An EU driving licence is sufficient within the EU.
However, some countries outside the EU require an international driving licence.
Naturally, you carry your car registration papers with you at all times.

Epic Road Trips

2. Insurances that are important for your road trip

European Union

If eligible, apply for a European health insurance card (EHIC). With this card, EU members are entitled to necessary urgent medical care during a temporary stay abroad in any other EU member state.
The EHIC is only valid in countries within the EEC (the EU, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. Within the United Kingdom, this is valid until December 2020. With a hard Brexit, the validity of the card will expire.
The EHIC does not cover repatriation costs. You must take out travel insurance for this.

Travel Insurance

Insurance is in any case necessary if you are travelling outside the EU so that your medical costs are covered.
It would be best to take out travel insurance for repatriation costs, compensation for theft and/or loss, etc.
Check here for Safety Wing travel insurance.

Car insurance & green card

Check that your car insurance is also valid abroad. Preferably with free assistance after damage and car replacement.
Ask your car insurance for a ‘green card’ if you go to a country where only a paper card is accepted. This is your international insurance certificate. It states in which countries and until when the car is insured.

3. Do share your contact and travel information.

Don’t turn those who stay behind into trackers. Instead, share your contact and travel information with family or friends so that they can reach you in case of an emergency.

4. Money matters

Credit card & bank cards

Check the validity of your cards well before departure. You do not want to be abroad without getting your money because the bank card has expired.
In the event of theft or loss of your wallet, it is crucial to contact the bank and credit card company. This is because they can block your cards and send new ones. Therefore, make sure that this data is somewhere in the ‘cloud’ to retrieve it at all times.
In any case, it is helpful to have different types of passes. As different places accept other cards. For example, a credit card is often required as a deposit when renting cars, rooms or sports equipment.

5. Health

Just like having your car inspected, it is helpful to also submit yourself to an ‘MOT’ before departure. Consider this:

Check that your vaccinations are up-to-date and which extras are necessary for your destination.
Visit the dentist for a check-up before you leave.
Have a supply of your essential medication and possibly a letter from the doctor in English explaining the content and usage.
Bring a first aid kit with plasters, disinfectant and paracetamol.

6. Avoid a breakdown during your road trip holiday

Before you leave, you naturally want to ensure that your car is in tip-top condition.

MOT inspection

Check that your MOT is still valid for some time.
You are not allowed to drive around without a valid MOT certificate. Not even abroad.

Before departure, check the car

Tire pressure and profile
Lights: i.e. traffic lights, main beam, brake light and turn signals.
Add engine oil, coolant, washer and brake fluid as needed.
If you go in the winter months, you probably require winter tires.
Condition of your spare wheel. If you don’t have a spare tire, check that the tire repair kit is complete.

It is best to have the car checked by a professional before leaving.

7. Compulsory in the car

Each country has different rules.

To avoid problems with the local police, make sure you have at least the following items with you:

First-aid box
Warning triangle
Safety vests
Spare lights

8. Luggage

It is tempting when you go by car to load everything that fits into the boot. Still, it is wiser to think about it. Travel light, also during a road trip.

Think shampoo bars instead of bottles, multifunctional lightweight clothing and quick-dry towels.

Because:

You don’t want to lug a cumbersome suitcase with every overnight stay.
Moreover, it is more convenient not to ‘advertise’ that your car is fully loaded. Instead, make sure your luggage fits comfortably in the back. This way, you can get out with peace of mind.
Don’t tempt thieves. Don’t leave gadgets, laptops, telephones, money, cables, cameras or papers lying around in your car.

9. Internet on the road

Long live the internet. Travelling has become a lot easier thanks to the internet, and especially mobile phones.

Buy a portable battery or a lighter adapter so that you can charge your phone on the go.

Data

You can use your data free of charge within the EU if you have an EU phone subscription. Depending on the provider, you can probably buy additional Gigabytes. Calls are also free of charge to the country where you have your subscription.
Outside the EU, it is often more convenient to buy a pre-paid SIM locally. With a pre-paid card, you can browse with peace of mind, as you never will inadvertently overrun your budget. Moreover, many new phones nowadays have dual SIMs. Thus leaving your regular SIM card in place. So friends and family can still contact you on your standard number.

Google Maps

For spatially challenged people like me, Google Maps is a fantastic help. But using it does consume a lot of battery and data. This can be prevented by turning on your location, subsequently opening Google Maps and then turning off your data. Google Maps will continue to work but then uses no data and much less battery. However, it does not update on the road.

Social Media

If you use social media, think about what you post and with whom to share.

If your house is empty, it is probably not wise to let the world know that you are gone.
If you travel alone or with two women, then for your safety, only share your location when you are already away from that place,

WhatsApp Location

Whatsapp has all kinds of useful functions, of which the ‘live location’ sharing can sometimes be beneficial.

For example, if you go out independently of each other and have to find each other again later.
Or if you think it is essential for your safety that others know your location.