If you’re planning a trip to Europe in your campervan or motorhome, there are a few things you may need to display on your vehicle before leaving the UK. And a few you don’t!
Headlight Stickers
One of the most common but easily forgotten items is headlight converter stickers. If your vehicle is set up for UK roads, you might need to attach these to ensure your headlights don’t cause confusion when driving at night on the continent.
It’s a good idea to bring two sets (you’ll likely apply the first one wrong!). However, not all vehicles require these stickers. Some modern vehicles allow you to adjust the light settings—check your manual to be sure.
Angles Morts Stickers
If your vehicle weighs over 3.5 tonnes (or if you’re towing, making the total weight over 3.5 tonnes), and you’re visiting an urban area in France, you’ll need to apply Angles Morts (blind spot) stickers. You’ll need three—one on each side and one on the rear.
There are two types: truck or bus (bus is recommended for motorhomes). Be sure to place them in the correct spots on your vehicle. Here’s a guide to help you.
Tolls vs. Vignettes
Many people find tolls and vignettes confusing, so let me clarify. Most European countries require you to pay for using their main roads, either through a toll or a vignette system.
Countries like Switzerland, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Moldova, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia use vignettes. To get one:
- Stop at a fuel station near the border displaying a “vignette” sign.
- Specify your vehicle’s weight and how long you’ll be in the country, and you’ll receive a sticker.
Make sure you place the sticker correctly on your windscreen, as required. (Removing them afterward can be tricky—they’re stickier than ferry pet stickers!)
For all other countries, you’ll pay tolls as you go, either by cash or card (most accept debit or credit). If you’re doing a lot of driving, consider getting a toll pass (a small device that attaches to your windscreen and is automatically detected). I use e-Movis, which charges as you drive and lets you speed through the fast toll lanes—especially helpful in the summer. For heavier vehicles, BroBizz works well in Norway.
If your vehicle is over 3 meters high or 3.5 tonnes, it may be classified as a Category 3 vehicle, so check before you go. And no, tolls don’t weigh your vehicle.
Speed Stickers
A question recently came up in our Facebook group: do you need speed stickers on your vehicle in France if you’re over 3.5 tonnes?
The short answer is no—this only applies to French-registered vehicles and only if you’re towing. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes don’t need to worry.
However, the speed limits still apply. If you’re towing and your total train weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you’re limited to 90 km/h on motorways and 80 km/h on single carriageways.
The rules can be a bit unclear even for the French authorities. Read more about speed stickers here.
Crit’Air
Just like in the UK, many European cities have introduced clean air zones. You can see a full map of them here.
I recommend parking outside these zones and using public transport. European cities aren’t very motorhome-friendly! However, if you plan to enter these zones, particularly in France, get a Crit’Air sticker in advance.
This sticker lasts for the lifetime of the vehicle and is affordable. Be careful of fake websites—this is the official one. You’ll need your logbook and a clear photo of it for the application. It costs €4.51, and you can apply online (it’s easier to do on a computer than a phone).
Red/White Warning Boards
If you’re traveling to Spain or Italy with anything on the back of your motorhome (like bicycles or a storage box), you’ll need a red/white striped warning board to indicate your vehicle is longer than usual.
In Italy, the board is supposed to be aluminum, but many people use plastic without issue (Fiamma, an Italian company, sells plastic ones). To be safe, go for an aluminum board with five reflective stripes, and you’ll be covered for both countries.
You can find all the items mentioned in Kat’s Amazon store (under the Europe section).
Find out about the paperwork you must take here
