The content of the article:
- Vehicle condition
- "Green map"
- ONE HUNDRED
- Visa
- Leaving the country
Traveling by your own car gives you special comfort: there is no connection to the public transport schedule, you can easily change cities and hotels, carry any amount of luggage. In many ways, the car is superior to other types of trips, but only if there is no serious breakdown with it.
It's one thing when a traveler is not limited in time and can try to fix the car on his own or spend time monitoring prices at a service station. And a completely different alignment with a short visa period, not enough for long repairs, when the problem needs to be solved urgently and by any means.
Checking the condition of the car before driving
To enter another country, you must have not only well-formed documents - international law, which includes a plastic driver's license of the latest sample with full name in Latin letters, medical insurance and a car policy. And also, in fact, a presentable car.
Many border posts have the right not to let a vehicle with pronounced damage into their country. The reason for dissatisfaction can be non-functioning side lights, a crack in the windshield, a broken body, the absence of at least one wiper.
The first-aid kit must comply with the European standard, consisting of 18 items, which can be found out on the Internet. The car must have a refueled and not expired fire extinguisher, but it is better to remove the anti-radar, if any, so as not to get a serious fine and even deprivation of rights. In the Czech Republic and Poland, they can even take measurements of the car for their compliance with those stated in the data sheet.
In order not to conflict with border guards, a car owner who is not sure about the appearance of his car should immediately stock up on documents about an accident that happened in his homeland. It is desirable that they be translated into the language of the country into which the vehicle enters.
In addition, the driver should be prepared for the fact that in the future law enforcement officers will pay maximum attention to the damaged car.
"Green map"
To begin with, you need to remember that even with a small but visible breakdown, the police will continuously stop the car with the requirement not to create danger on the road and eliminate the problem. Therefore, repairs will still have to be done, one way or another.
When a breakdown is detected, the driver's actions are the same as in their home country. Turn on emergency lights, put a sign on the road, it is also advisable to wear a reflective vest, especially in the dark.
The Green Card is the foreign version of the insurance required for all European countries, including Ukraine and Belarus. The absence of a greencard from the car owner is punishable by a very substantial fine. It has tear-off coupons, which are exchanged between drivers of cars injured in an accident, so that insurance companies can then pay compensation.
If, due to ignorance or forgetfulness, the driver did not bother to issue a "green card" in advance, he has the opportunity to do it when approaching the border of another country. For example, in front of Belarus, the entire route of the Smolensk region is dotted with points of sale of the policy, many of which work around the clock.
In addition to its main goal - the regulation of motor vehicle liability in case of an accident, the card will also contribute in the event of damage to the vehicle. So, the item "Technical Assistance" in the insurance pays the following types of costs:
- provision of a driver and transportation of passengers of the injured vehicle;
- towing a car for service or roadside repairs (battery charging, refueling, changing wheels, assistance with an electrician, other minor repairs);
- delivery of spare parts;
- telephone consultation;
- accommodation of the driver during the repair work of the car.
By the way, the services of a tow truck in almost every country working with a "green card" extends to an area of 100 km.
Service station to check the car
Most of the car services abroad are official and highly professional, therefore, they are much less common than the usual Russian workshops equipped in sheds. Therefore, before the trip, it will be useful to make a list of all services on the way, with addresses and phone numbers.
If the breakdown is such that it is not possible to get to the service station on your own, you will have to call a tow truck. The corresponding phone number can be found on the "green card" or on advertisements, which, like Russia, are pasted on each post. In addition, other motorists, upon seeing an emergency sign, will definitely stop to offer help. And if they do not help with repairs, then they will either drag them to the service, or help with finding a tow truck.
There is no need to worry about the quality of the work performed by foreign specialists. As it was said, the qualifications of the craftsmen are much higher than the Russian "kulibins". Moreover, the total cost of consumables and the work itself is often even cheaper, especially when it comes to running European cars. Problems can arise with American cars for which there may not be spare parts available.
Visa when traveling abroad
If it is impossible to predict the timing of the completion of the repair due to the search for the necessary consumables, the driver should attend to the extension of the visa.
Just for such cases, the Schengen Code provides for the possibility, for objective reasons, to extend a visa for 10 days. This service is paid, and as a justification, a certificate from the police and a car service about force majeure repair of a vehicle may be required. The guards of the law will issue all the necessary documents without any problems, they will even explain how to pass the border later without hindrance.
If experts immediately report that the repair will take at least a month, it would be wiser to leave the car at a car service and go home. The next nuance arises here. Once the car was brought into the country, about which there is information, it must be taken back, no matter in what condition. Of course, in the event that a long-term entry has not been issued for it.
In this case, there are several options for the development of events:
Option 1. Transit
If the owner does not want to carry out repairs in another country or cannot afford to return for the car in a month, he can arrange the transportation of his vehicle to his home country. To do this, you will need to fill out a TIR Carnet transport agreement, which entitles you to one international transit and facilitates the passage of the border.
The fastest, but also the most expensive way is air transportation.
It is possible to order the services of a "tow truck" all the way to Russia, which is very common in neighboring Finland. In case of any trouble with a car, our compatriots are happy to resort to the help of numerous car services, which will take them home from any of the most remote Finnish settlements. The only limitation is the weight of the vehicle, which must not exceed 2.5 tons.
Option 2. Recycling
If the total cost of expenses for a visa, flight, tow truck, parts, repairs and nerves is not worth all the effort invested, the car owner can send his vehicle for recycling in the country where it has found eternal rest. Here you will only have to pay for transportation to the place of disposal and the cost of the service itself, which at average European prices will cost about $ 500.
Option 3. Disassembly of the car
This method will also take time, which the driver may not have enough. It is necessary to offer your car for disassembly for parts with their subsequent sale only in official service stations, with proper paperwork and payment of related taxes. Otherwise, it will be regarded as illegal activity.
Leaving the country by car
Whichever option the car owner chooses, he will in any case have an explanation at the border. To confirm the fate of your vehicle, you must have on hand a contract or act from the organization where the car ultimately remained. The document must be fully completed, have seals and signatures. If the owner plans to return for his car, a deposit for it and an agreement confirming an early return to the country for his property may be required from him.
An insurance company in Russia is likely to find a hundred tricks to avoid paying for overseas repairs. But the driver can be persistent, for which he will need all the checks and invoices for parts and work, a police report on the breakdown, an expert's assessment, if any.
In order not to spoil the trip and not to gain personal experience of communicating with imported car services, the traveler should carefully prepare for the trip. Pass the usual Russian technical inspection, replace all units, the condition of which is of concern, stock up on technical fluids and have a set of necessary tools. Then the car will not cause trouble, and the trip will only bring pleasure and new impressions.
