Driving abroad: Everything you need to know

Checklist for driving abroad

Before heading off on your trip, making sure you have everything in order will help you avoid unnecessary stress or complications on the road. Thankfully, we have created a handy list with everything you will need to be able to drive abroad.

Unlike driving in the UK, where you may rarely need to show your licence, some countries carry out routine checks and you could face fines. Also, if you are hiring a car abroad, when you go to collect it they will often require some documents.

Documents needed to drive abroad

Before you travel, make sure you have the following:

• A valid UK driving licence – Your licence must not be expired and should be with you at all times when driving.
• Your passport – Required for entry into countries and often needed when collecting rental cars.
• Proof of insurance – A certificate or letter from your insurer confirming you are covered to drive in that specific country.
• Vehicle registration document (V5C) – Needed when driving in your own car to prove you are the registered owner of the vehicle.
• UK identifier or number plate identifier – Required when driving a UK registered vehicle in a foreign country.

Do I need a green card to drive in Europe?

A Green Card is an internationally recognised document that acts as proof of motor insurance when driving abroad. Since the UK has left the EU, a Green Card is no longer required when driving in most European countries, however some destinations outside of Europe still require one. Your insurer can provide a Green Card free of charge if you need one, so it is worth asking even if you are unsure.

Driving insurance abroad

One of the most important things to arrange before driving abroad is making sure you have the right insurance in place. Many drivers assume their existing UK car insurance policy will cover them fully when driving in another country, but this is not always the case. Understanding what you are covered for before you travel could save you from significant costs or legal complications if anything goes wrong.

Temporary insurance

If you have coverage included great, if not, don’t worry. You can often get very cheap short term insurance to cover you while you are abroad. Temporary car insurance provides short term cover ranging from as little as one day up to 28 days, without affecting your existing annual policy or no claims bonus. The cost will vary depending on your age, driving experience, vehicle type and length of cover.

What countries drive on the right?

Around the world the majority of countries drive on the right hand side of the road so it is always important to check before you travel. In Europe all countries travel on the right hand side other than the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus and if you are travelling to any other European country you should expect to drive on the other side as you are used to in the UK.

This is also really important to remember when performing manoeuvres like roundabouts as you will need to give way to the left.

How old do you have to be to drive abroad?

The minimum age requirement for driving abroad is very much dependent on the country you are visiting, so this should always be the first thing you check before travelling. In Europe the minimum driving age is traditionally 18, meaning the majority of newly qualified UK drivers will be permitted to drive without any additional restrictions.

However, it is important to note that many rental car companies require drivers to be at least 21, and if you fall below this they may apply a young driver surcharge which can add a considerable cost to your trip. It is therefore important to check the rules of both the country you are travelling to and any car rental company you plan to use.