What you need when taking your car abroad

(Posted on 02/04/24)

Planning on taking your car abroad?

Thinking about heading off to sunny France or Germany and taking your car on a trip? Before you go, there are a few important things you should know to make sure you're safe and compliant while driving abroad.

First and foremost, it's crucial to ensure you have all the necessary documents ready. The last thing you'd want is to arrive at your destination only to realize you're missing essential paperwork, which could be highly inconvenient. Therefore, it's advisable to have all your documents prepared and readily accessible in the car before your trip.

• Full driving licence and national insurance number
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Proof of vehicle insurance
• Travel insurance documents
• V5C certificate
• European breakdown cover policy and documents
• Crit’air (clean air) sticker if driving in France

Some Countries you may need:

• A visa
• A Green Card from your insurer
• An IDP (this is an official multi-language translation of your driving license)

It is key to note that your car must have a valid MOT and up to date tax. If you don’t have either of these, you won’t be able travel abroad it should do for driving in the UK anyway.

Leasing a car?

When it comes to taking your lease car abroad, it's important to note that your finance lender may have specific clauses in your agreement regarding international travel. Typically, you'll need prior consent before taking your car abroad. Be sure to check with your finance provider before making any travel plans.

It's always wise to be well-prepared when traveling, particularly for long journeys.

Here is a list of the stuff you are required to take:

• Reflective Jackets – required for each passenger
• Warning Triangle
• First aid kit - compulsory in Austria, Germany and France
• GB Car Sticker – required if you don’t have a GB Euro number plate
• Headlamp beam deflector - l need deflector stickers or need to adjust the beam manually, depending on your car

If you fail to comply with the regulations for your destination, you may expect fines if stopped by the police.

With the above being mandatory for a lot of countries, there is lot of equipment you may want to add additionally such as spare fuel, up to date road map, engine oil and blankets.

Always check on the countries your driving-to-driving requirements and restriction to make sure you are prepared.