Road trip · Pre-departure
What should I remember before leaving for a road trip?
Before a long drive, carry your driving licence, insurance and breakdown details, and check tyre pressure including the spare, plus oil and screenwash. Download maps for offline use, because signal drops on rural routes. Bring a phone mount, a charger that reaches the driver, water and anything you take daily. Some countries require a warning triangle by law.
Do not leave without
Without these the trip either does not start or becomes a serious problem at the roadside.
The car itself
Ten minutes on the driveway. Each one is expensive and unpleasant to discover on a hard shoulder.
Within reach on the drive
Anything you have to stop or reach for is worse than having packed it properly.
Nice to have
Comfort only. Skip any of it without consequence.
Related questions
What should I check on the car before a long drive?
Tyre pressure and tread on all four and the spare, checked cold. Oil and screenwash. Lights, including brake lights, which need a second person or a reflective surface to verify.
What do I need to drive in another country?
Requirements vary by country and change: warning triangles, hi-vis vests, headlamp adjusters and emissions stickers are all mandatory somewhere. Check each country on your route against an official source before you leave.
What should I have if the car stops?
Your breakdown policy number and recovery phone number saved offline, a charged phone, a hi-vis vest reachable from inside the car rather than the boot, and enough water to wait.
Road trip essentials at a glance
- Driving licence
- Insurance and breakdown details
- Prescription medication
- Phone and charging cable
- Glasses or contact lenses
- Payment card in your name
- Tyre pressure and tread
- Oil and screenwash
- Jump leads
- Warning triangle and hi-vis vest
What this covers
This checklist covers what to carry and what to check on the vehicle before setting off. It is not a mechanical service guide and does not replace a garage inspection.