Nürburgring 2013 checklist
Posted: Thu Mar 14, 2013 9:27 pm
Nürburgring 2013: A list of things you probably shouldn’t forget!
This thread is mainly those of you going to the Nürburgring this year, but some of it can still be applied to general day to day UK stuff and is of course valid for any trip outside of the UK. You may say that some of this info is common knowledge, common sense, boring… I say whatevs.
So what’s on the list?
A valid passport
It may sound like a ridiculous thing to remind you to check, but I know of countless people who book holidays and then do a shat because they don’t have their passport in order or mess up somehow.
To start with if you don’t have a passport, or your current one has expired, then obviously get one. I wont talk you through how to fill out an application form, just because. However if you’ve never had a passport before then IIRC you will need your birth certificate. If you don’t have it for whatever reason you can get a copy from the General Register Office for £9.25.
Costs? If you want to send it off yourself it’s going to set you back £72.50.
I highly recommend you send it via the Post Office’s Check & Send service, this only bumps the cost up to £81.25. They will check your application there and then to make sure you have everything included that you need to, and then it goes through their own system direct to the passport people. None of that back of a van → sorting hub → getting lost business that your regular post-box mail goes through. When I did it I got my passport within 2 weeks.
You can apply, renew or update your passport here.
For travel to Belgium, France or Germany, British Citizens don't need a visa and as far as I can tell you don't actually need x amount of months remaining on your passport either, it needs only to last til your return to the UK.
European Health Insurance Card
A EHIC is a must IMO. Although we’re all meant to be best friends and in Europe together, we’re still foreigners in their countries. This means there are charges for healthcare in some European countries.
It’s free and you can apply online here.
In Belgium and France most healthcare you will have to front the cost. As a general rule I understand 70-80% can be claimed back there and then (with your EHIC) for prescriptions, hospital treatment, GP stuff and dentistry. The remaining amount has to be reclaimed when you return to the UK. If you see any healthcare professional there is a relevant treatment form they have to fill out which you need to reclaim your money. Ambulances cost money in both countries, for the privilege of them coming to get you and in some cases a rate per KM. This is only refundable when you return to the UK.
In Germany you have to pay for treatment in advance, then reclaim the full amount in the UK. There’s a standard fee of €10 for almost all health services.
As is to be expected, private healthcare is as I understand it, non-refundable.
Driving requirements/guidelines by country
France, Belgium and Germany
You’re gonna need a valid driving licence, insurance documents and vehicle documents. It’s recommended that you keep these with the vehicle at all times, but of course if you’re parking somewhere overnight and sleeping in a B&B/camping/whatever, I would keep them on your person.
Belgium
Drivers must give absolute priority to vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a road junction or stopped for pedestrians or cyclists. Exemptions to this rule include motorways, roundabouts, roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background, and drivers who are attempting to join a road after having driven down a street in the wrong direction. Trams have priority over other traffic. If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on or off, you must stop. There are on the spot fines for motoring offences and if you can’t pay they can impound your vehicle. As for speeding, exceeding the speed limit by 40kmh (25mph) can actually land you in court.
France
It’s compulsory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket. The reflective jacket must be stored inside the vehicle itself and accessible without getting out of the car. I’m not going to trawl the internet to find you all hi-vis jackets and triangles, but if I am attending I actually have some hi-vis jackets from work that I can dish out. Sat-Navs that warn of speed cameras (or specific devices that do) are illegal, whether you’re using them or not.
Germany
Some German cities have low emission zones. I imagine this sort of stuff will be avoided, but just in case any of you are planning a drive into a city it’s probably best to research this yourself beforehand. Also I think Germany are quite hot on the whole TUV stuff. Basically don't turn up with anything dodgy on your car.
General behaviour/things to observe
France, Belgium and Germany prohibit the covering of your face in public area. That’s balaclavas, burkas, etc. There's quite a lot of restriction on religious dress actually, if anything of this sort applies to you, you should research this yourself.
Drink-driving is a no-no, the limit is actually lower than the UK, so if you’re going to be drinking I would advise having one of those breathalyser things to hand just to check you’re okay. It really is best to just get one, regardless of requirement by country. Around a fiver here.
Carry ID with you at all times.
Emergency services and important numbers
112 is the number to remember, it’s just a general emergency number Europe-wide and you can request an English-speaking operator. Just in case, here’s some country-specific numbers:
Belgium
Ambulance/Fire: 100
Police: 101
British Embassy (Brussels): +32 0 2287 6211
France
Ambulance: 17
Fire: 18
Police: 15
British Embassy (Paris): +33 1 4451 3100
Germany
Ambulance/Fire/Police: 112
Alternative Police no.: 110
British Embassy (Düsseldorf): +49 2119 4480
Recommended items
I do realise that some of the previous info given is probably a little overkill, after all it’s only a trip within the EU and it’s not like we’re going third world. Regardless, you can never be too prepared. Most of the next items are a given, but I find lists help and if you can read this and tick off what you have then you know you’re all set.
A well stocked first-aid kit! At £11.98 with free P&P you can’t go wrong: 70-piece kit.
Breathalyser.
A jack.
A spare wheel with a decent tyre.
Whatever tools you think you may need.
All the relevant fluids for a weekend of freaking insane(!) driving with a fair commute to and from the Ring.
A coat/blanket (summer months can be cold at night… don’t get caught out by freezing to death on the roadside should you break down).
Food and water!
Top tips
Don’t crash.
Don’t break down.
Don’t get arrested.
Don’t do anything too silly.
Be social with our foreign Prelude friends!
I’m sure there are quite a few things I’ve neglected to put in this list, you can of course make suggestions. Also I’m not being held responsible for the information on here being incorrect (although as far as I can discern it is correct as of the moment of posting) or something bad happening to you. It can’t hurt for you to double check these things for yourself.
This thread is mainly those of you going to the Nürburgring this year, but some of it can still be applied to general day to day UK stuff and is of course valid for any trip outside of the UK. You may say that some of this info is common knowledge, common sense, boring… I say whatevs.
So what’s on the list?
A valid passport
It may sound like a ridiculous thing to remind you to check, but I know of countless people who book holidays and then do a shat because they don’t have their passport in order or mess up somehow.
To start with if you don’t have a passport, or your current one has expired, then obviously get one. I wont talk you through how to fill out an application form, just because. However if you’ve never had a passport before then IIRC you will need your birth certificate. If you don’t have it for whatever reason you can get a copy from the General Register Office for £9.25.
Costs? If you want to send it off yourself it’s going to set you back £72.50.
I highly recommend you send it via the Post Office’s Check & Send service, this only bumps the cost up to £81.25. They will check your application there and then to make sure you have everything included that you need to, and then it goes through their own system direct to the passport people. None of that back of a van → sorting hub → getting lost business that your regular post-box mail goes through. When I did it I got my passport within 2 weeks.
You can apply, renew or update your passport here.
For travel to Belgium, France or Germany, British Citizens don't need a visa and as far as I can tell you don't actually need x amount of months remaining on your passport either, it needs only to last til your return to the UK.
European Health Insurance Card
A EHIC is a must IMO. Although we’re all meant to be best friends and in Europe together, we’re still foreigners in their countries. This means there are charges for healthcare in some European countries.
It’s free and you can apply online here.
In Belgium and France most healthcare you will have to front the cost. As a general rule I understand 70-80% can be claimed back there and then (with your EHIC) for prescriptions, hospital treatment, GP stuff and dentistry. The remaining amount has to be reclaimed when you return to the UK. If you see any healthcare professional there is a relevant treatment form they have to fill out which you need to reclaim your money. Ambulances cost money in both countries, for the privilege of them coming to get you and in some cases a rate per KM. This is only refundable when you return to the UK.
In Germany you have to pay for treatment in advance, then reclaim the full amount in the UK. There’s a standard fee of €10 for almost all health services.
As is to be expected, private healthcare is as I understand it, non-refundable.
Driving requirements/guidelines by country
France, Belgium and Germany
You’re gonna need a valid driving licence, insurance documents and vehicle documents. It’s recommended that you keep these with the vehicle at all times, but of course if you’re parking somewhere overnight and sleeping in a B&B/camping/whatever, I would keep them on your person.
Belgium
Drivers must give absolute priority to vehicles joining a road from the right, even if they have stopped at a road junction or stopped for pedestrians or cyclists. Exemptions to this rule include motorways, roundabouts, roads sign-posted with an orange diamond within a white background, and drivers who are attempting to join a road after having driven down a street in the wrong direction. Trams have priority over other traffic. If a tram or bus stops in the middle of the road to allow passengers on or off, you must stop. There are on the spot fines for motoring offences and if you can’t pay they can impound your vehicle. As for speeding, exceeding the speed limit by 40kmh (25mph) can actually land you in court.
France
It’s compulsory to carry a warning triangle and reflective jacket. The reflective jacket must be stored inside the vehicle itself and accessible without getting out of the car. I’m not going to trawl the internet to find you all hi-vis jackets and triangles, but if I am attending I actually have some hi-vis jackets from work that I can dish out. Sat-Navs that warn of speed cameras (or specific devices that do) are illegal, whether you’re using them or not.
Germany
Some German cities have low emission zones. I imagine this sort of stuff will be avoided, but just in case any of you are planning a drive into a city it’s probably best to research this yourself beforehand. Also I think Germany are quite hot on the whole TUV stuff. Basically don't turn up with anything dodgy on your car.
General behaviour/things to observe
France, Belgium and Germany prohibit the covering of your face in public area. That’s balaclavas, burkas, etc. There's quite a lot of restriction on religious dress actually, if anything of this sort applies to you, you should research this yourself.
Drink-driving is a no-no, the limit is actually lower than the UK, so if you’re going to be drinking I would advise having one of those breathalyser things to hand just to check you’re okay. It really is best to just get one, regardless of requirement by country. Around a fiver here.
Carry ID with you at all times.
Emergency services and important numbers
112 is the number to remember, it’s just a general emergency number Europe-wide and you can request an English-speaking operator. Just in case, here’s some country-specific numbers:
Belgium
Ambulance/Fire: 100
Police: 101
British Embassy (Brussels): +32 0 2287 6211
France
Ambulance: 17
Fire: 18
Police: 15
British Embassy (Paris): +33 1 4451 3100
Germany
Ambulance/Fire/Police: 112
Alternative Police no.: 110
British Embassy (Düsseldorf): +49 2119 4480
Recommended items
I do realise that some of the previous info given is probably a little overkill, after all it’s only a trip within the EU and it’s not like we’re going third world. Regardless, you can never be too prepared. Most of the next items are a given, but I find lists help and if you can read this and tick off what you have then you know you’re all set.
A well stocked first-aid kit! At £11.98 with free P&P you can’t go wrong: 70-piece kit.
Breathalyser.
A jack.
A spare wheel with a decent tyre.
Whatever tools you think you may need.
All the relevant fluids for a weekend of freaking insane(!) driving with a fair commute to and from the Ring.
A coat/blanket (summer months can be cold at night… don’t get caught out by freezing to death on the roadside should you break down).
Food and water!
Top tips
Don’t crash.
Don’t break down.
Don’t get arrested.
Don’t do anything too silly.
Be social with our foreign Prelude friends!
I’m sure there are quite a few things I’ve neglected to put in this list, you can of course make suggestions. Also I’m not being held responsible for the information on here being incorrect (although as far as I can discern it is correct as of the moment of posting) or something bad happening to you. It can’t hurt for you to double check these things for yourself.
