Blog: Driving Abroad From The UK On Holiday
With the school holidays in full swing, here's everything you need to remember if you're taking a vehicle abroad this summer.
Taking your own vehicle abroad can be a great way of seeing more of the country you’re visiting. Planning a route that takes in multiple destinations can also often be cheaper than using other forms of transport.
It may seem easy to just jump in the car and go, but don't get caught out. It’s important to understand your legal requirements when leaving the country and regional variations on driving rules.?
The basic things to consider when driving abroad
Taking your car outside the UK this summer? Here's a checklist of things to sort before you go. Some of these are common sense things, but there are a few which could catch you out if you don't check in advance:
1. Make sure your driving licence is valid and in date
Make sure you driving licence is up to date with correct information and will be valid while travelling abroad. If you hold a paper licence, or your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, you might also require an IDP (International Driving Permit).
2. Take a copy of your insurance certificate?
All UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover to drive in the EU (including Ireland). If you're travelling outside the EU, you might need to request an Insurance Green Card from your provider.
3. Take your logbook (V5C). If you're leasing or hiring your vehicle, take your VE103
If you hold the logbook (V5C) for your vehicle, then you might be asked to show it if you're stopped at a port or while driving abroad.
If you lease your vehicle, or you're hiring it, you'll need to request a VE103 from your leasing provider (there may be a fee for this). Some leasing companies will limit the amount of time you can be out of the country with your contract hire/lease vehicle (often around 90 continuous days).
4. Check if you need an IDP (International Driving Permit)
Some countries will require you to hold an IDP if you plan on driving there. Each country can be different, so if you're planning on driving through various countries, you might need more than one. You can get an International Driving Permit over the counter at the Post Office for around £5.50. Check whether you need an International Driving Permit to drive abroad on the gov.uk website.
5. Check overseas driving rules for the country you're visiting
Make sure you're aware of the driving rules in the country you're visiting, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. The gov.uk website has a good travel advice section covering this.?
6. Check if you need extra equipment
It's a good idea to make sure you have the essentials while driving abroad. However, some countries have extra equipment which you are legally required to have onboard or fitted, e.g. reflective jacket, warning triangle, first aid kit, headlight converter stickers.
7. Check if you need to display an emission sticker or permit
Some European cities require you to clearly display an emission sticker (these can differ by country). You can buy them online, but make sure you order them in good time.
8. Make sure you have a UK sticker or identifier - GB stickers are no longer valid
From September 2021, you need a UK sticker (not the previous GB sticker). If your number plate includes the UK identifier with the Union Flag, you do not need a UK sticker.?
You'll need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:
- A GB identifier whith the Union Flag
- A Euro symbol
- A national flag of England, Scotland, or Wales
- Numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier
If you're travelling in Spain, Cyprus or Maltam you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.
9. Check official advice if travelling with a pet
If your four-legged friend is making the road trip with you, make sure you're familiar with the official rules and advice when leaving and re-entering the country. You can find these on the gov.uk website.
10. Get the correct travel insurance
It's a good idea to take out travel insurance so you're covered for accidents and emergencies.
11. Take your EHIC Health Insurance Card - or get the new GHIC card
If you're travelling in the EU, take your EHIC card - if you have one that's still valid. If not, you can apply for a new GHIC card free of charge via the NHS website.
If you're travelling in Spain, Ireland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstien and Switzerland, the cards aren't a replacement for travel insurance, so you should always have insurance as well.
12. Get a service and check your tyres
Making sure your car is serviced well in advance of your journey will reduce the chance of a breakdown.
Check your tyre condition, pressure and tread before you go. Most countries will have the same minimum tread depth requirements are the UK (1.6mm), but tyres with a tread depth less than 3mm tend to wear down quickly, so you may want to replace them before embarking on a long journey.
If you're planning a journey in colder weather, you might want to get winter tyres fitted. Snow chains may be useful and are compulsory in some countries (even with winter tyres fitted).?
13. Do you have radar detectors?
Using or carrying a police speed trap detection device is illegal in most European countries and penalties can include a fine, driving ban, or even imprisonment.
Some countries also ban you from using a Sat Nav that can show fixed speed camera locations, so you might have to disable this function before you go.
14. Will your credit card work abroad?
If you’re going to rely on a credit card for purchasing fuel or essentials, it’s worth checking with the provider before you leave that your card will be accepted in the countries you’re travelling through.
15. Will your breakdown cover, cover you abroad?
If you already have breakdown cover in place, it’s worth checking that your provider will protect you in the countries you’re travelling in.
Safety tips for driving abroad
Before setting off, it’s worth checking the latest crime and personal safety advice on the countries you’ll be travelling through/to before you go. The latest advice can be found from the Foreign Office Travel Unit: Foreign travel advice - GOV.UK
Emergency Numbers
You can call 112 from anywhere in the European Union in case of an accident, assault, or any other distress situation. If you’re planning on travelling outside of the EU, you should check emergency numbers for the country of travel in advance.
Mobile Phones
Using a hand-held mobile phone while driving is against in the law in most countries. Err on the side of caution and always use a hands-free option or turn your phone off while driving.
Drinking & Driving
Legal limits vary across all countries. The safest way to travel is never to drink alcohol and drive.
Glasses for driving
If you need glasses for driving, it’s a good idea to take a spare pair – especially if you’re the only driver.
Think Right!
It’s easy to forget to drive on the right, particularly after doing something familiar like leaving a petrol station or car park. Some drivers find it helpful to stick something on the dashboard or windscreen as a reminder.
What to remember if towing a trailer or caravan abroad
If you’re planning on taking a trailer or caravan abroad, there are a few more things you’ll need to check before setting off. We’ve put together the basics for you below, but it’s worth checking the gov.uk website for specific information on your destination country or countries along your route.
1. Do you need a category BE driving licence?
If you’re going to be towing over 750kg abroad, you’ll need to update your licence to show that you can drive category BE (if it doesn’t already show on your licence). If your licence doesn’t already include this, you need to complete the D1 application form (available from the DVLA or Post Office) and send it to the DVLA along with a letter to say you are travelling abroad and need BE added to your licence along with your driving licence.
2. Do you need to register your trailer?
Some European countries require you to register commercial trailers over 750kg gross weight and all trailers over 3,500kg gross weight before towing them. You can check if you’ll need to do this on the Gov.uk website.
3. Do you need a green card or additional insurance?
If you’re driving in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland, you do not need to carry a green card for your vehicle or the trailer/caravan you’re towing. If you’re driving in other countries, you will need to check with your insurer on whether additional insurance will be required before you travel.