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You may be required to produce your documents at any time - make sure they're in order before you go
You may be asked to produce your documents at any time. Make sure that they are in order and readily available to avoid the risk of a police fine or even having your car taken away.
It is your responsibility to ensure that you have all documentation needed to comply with the requirements of immigration, customs, health and other relevant regulations.
If you are travelling in a vehicle other than a motor car or motorcycle or you are taking a boat, additional documentation may be required.
You may need a visa for certain countries too.
Check with your insurer to make sure you have the cover you expect when driving abroad. They may ask to be notified when you travel abroad or provide only third party cover when you do.
If you are taking a vehicle abroad that is company owned, hired or borrowed you will need a letter of authorisation from the registered keeper.
In addition you will need to take either the original vehicle registration document (V5c) or a Vehicle on Hire certificate (VE103b).
The VE103b is the only legal alternative to the vehicle registration document and can be obtained from BVRLA/All fleet services on 01452 887686.
112 is the European emergency call number you can dial anywhere in the European Union in case of accident, assault or in any other distress situation.
Don't leave handbags or other attractive items in view at any time, even when you are in the car.
Contact the Foreign Office Travel Advice Unit for crime and personal safety advice before you travel.
There is only one safe rule – if you drink, don't drive. Laws are strict and the penalties severe.
If you’re going to a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, make sure you’ve got a free European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)
The EHIC card entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment in most European countries but the cover provided under the respective national schemes is not always comprehensive – and the cost of bringing a person back to the UK in the event of illness or death is never covered so you should make sure you have adequate travel insurance as well.
Read the Department of Health booklet 'Health Advice for Travellers'
Apply for a European Health Insurance Card
UK issued credit cards are not always accepted at stores or petrol stations in other countries. Check with the card company before you go, particularly if you plan to rely on the card for payments.
Use of a hand-held mobile phone while driving is prohibited in many countries.
Contact the Pet Travel Scheme (PETS) helpline on 0870 241 1710 if you are planning to travel with a pet.
An AA personal membership card includes the 'show your card' symbol on the reverse which gives access to hundreds of discounts in Europe and the USA.
Take a spare pair of spectacles if you wear them – especially if you are the sole driver.
It's easy to forget to drive on the right, particularly after doing something familiar, such as leaving a petrol station or car park.
GB sticker
You must display a GB sign - failure to comply could result in an on-the-spot fine.
If your car has number plates that include the GB euro-symbol (Europlates) you don't have to display a conventional GB 'sticker' within the EU.
In some countries outside the EU a GB 'sticker' is required even if you have euro-plates, so it is always safer to display one.
Many countries require all drivers including visitors to carry reflective jackets.
In Norway and Portugal they are compulsory for residents only but we still recommend you carry them.
You should carry at least two jackets/waistcoats in the passenger compartment - one for the driver and one for a passenger. Our country-by-country advice includes specific national requirements.
Reflective jackets must conform to EU Standard BS EN 471: 1994 Class 1 or 2.
Car hire companies don't all provide reflective jackets (or other compulsory equipment) as standard in their cars. Check with the hire company before you go.
Adjust the beam pattern to suit driving on the right so that the dipped beam doesn't dazzle oncoming drivers.
The legal requirement is to 'not cause dazzle to oncoming drivers' rather than specifically to adjust/convert headlamp beam pattern.
Delays and bad weather can't always be predicted so even if you're only making a short trip and don't plan to drive at night we recommend that you at least carry a set of headlamp beam convertors with you - unless your lights can be adapted without them.
High-intensity discharge (HID), halogen or xenon headlights
Remove headlamp converters as soon as you return to the UK.
Warning triangle
Many countries require visiting motorists to carry a warning triangle. Check our country by country advice before you go.
Leaded petrol and Lead Replacement Petrol (LRP) are no longer generally available in northern European countries. You should be able to buy antiwear additives but it's best to take a small supply of the additive you use at home.
Don't overload the car as, safety risks apart, this can incur fines and possibly invalidate insurance.
Breakdowns caused by overloading are common, particularly around Christmas. Carrying five cases of wine is equivalent to having another passenger in the car and if you overload you could pay more in repair bills than you saved on your shopping.
Overloading can:
A door or wing-mirror on the left-hand side is very helpful when driving on the right. Get one fitted if your vehicle doesn't have one.
Service your car well in advance to reduce the chance of expensive breakdowns when abroad.
The use or possession of devices to detect police radar is illegal in most European countries. Penalties can include fine, driving ban, and even imprisonment.
Some countries now also prohibit the use of GPS based navigation systems which have maps indicating the location of fixed speed cameras meaning that you must deactivate the 'fixed speed camera PoI (Points of Interest)' function.
Check all tyres for condition, pressure and tread depth before you go.
Most countries have the same requirement as the UK - a minimum tread depth of 1.6mm over the central three-quarters of the tread and around the whole circumference.
Tyres wear out quickly after they get down to 3mm so if they are this worn think about getting them replaced before you go.
Some require winter tyres at certain times of the year in which case a minimum tread depth of 3mm is generally required (the Czech Republic now requires 4mm).
Snow chains are important for any winter motoring and compulsory in some countries even when using winter tyres.
(15 November 2011)
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