Driving in Europe checklist

That's why we've put together this useful guide, so you can get the latest travel advice and find out everything you need to drive in Europe.

We also recommend purchasing European Breakdown Cover. And a European driving kit as it can prove essential in some countries where it is the law to carry additional items in your car.

This essential checklist will tell you everything you need to know for driving in Europe, from what to take with you to things to remember when you get there.

1. Full, valid driving licence and national insurance number
2. Proof of vehicle insurance
3. Proof of ID (passport)
4. V5C certificate (the 'log book')
5. Travel insurance documents
6. European Breakdown Cover policy number and documents
7. Before you travel ensure your vehicle’s tax and MOT are valid and up-to-date
8. Crit’air sticker if driving in France (find out if you need one here)

You may also need to carry other documents with you, namely:

• one or more international driving permits
• a UK sticker (if you don’t have a UK identifier with the Union flag on your number plate)

1. Reflective jackets (there must be one for each passenger and be kept within the cabin of the car)
2. Warning triangle (compulsory in most countries)
3. Headlamp beam deflectors (depending on your car, you’ll either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually)
4. Safety helmets are compulsory for riders and passengers of motorcyclists and moped users
5. UK car sticker (if you don’t have a GB Euro number plate, or no matter what's on you number plate when driving in Cyprus, Malta or Spain)
6. First aid kit (compulsory in Austria, France and Germany)

1. Fire extinguisher
2. Replacement bulbs
3. A high quality torch
4. A spare fuel can
5. Additional engine oil and water (for topping up)
6. An up-to-date road map or satellite navigation system
7. Blanket
8. Sun cream
9. Refreshments and plenty of water
10. If you have children, take some games you can play in the car during the journey
11. Take extra supplies of medication in case you can’t get these abroad
12. Photocopies of important documents
13. European Health Insurance card

In addition to the checklist above, the next best thing to do is to familiarise yourself with the driving laws, specific entry requirements and compulsory items to carry for the country/ies you will be driving in.

You can find everything you need to know on our detailed European countries advice pages below.

If the country you are visiting is not on the list use the 'driving advice for every country in Europe' widget to your right (at the bottom of the article on mobile) to find the right country. 

• Driving in France
• Driving in Spain
• Driving in Italy
• Driving in Germany
• Driving in Belgium

For those travelling to France we also have a further top ten tips for driving through France to keep your knowledge up to date at a glance.

There is inevitably a degree of uncertainty, but don't let this put you off driving abroad. 

In some cases, you may need to get an International Driving Permit before you drive in Europe. It's important to check this before you travel. 

The RAC will continue to provide breakdown cover through our partners operating within the European Union.

With our European breakdown cover, there is no limit to the costs to get your vehicle home, whether you're travelling to Europe for a single trip or all throughout the year.

If repairs cost more than £500 you can choose to have your car brought home instead of having it repaired in Europe, providing the vehicle is not beyond economical repair.

It is vital that you also have the correct documentation with you.

Do I need an insurance green card?

Since 2nd August 2021, drivers no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to an EU country.

We've teamed up with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to give you some tips on preparing for a great trip, whether you’re driving or travelling abroad.

1. Adjust your headlights

It is a legal requirement not to dazzle oncoming drivers.

Make sure you adjust your headlamps ready for driving on the right-hand side of the road.

Headlamp converters (stickers you put on your headlights) are widely available.

2. Buy a UK sticker

Don’t forget that your vehicle must display the appropriate country identification letters (e.g. UK).

Failure to do so may result in an on-the-spot fine, but if your number plates include a UK identifier with the Union flag, you do not need a sticker within the EU (except in Cyprus, Malta and Spain, where stickers are needed no matter what is shown on your number plate).

3. Make a travel pack

Create a travel pack containing all the appropriate documentation you will need to comply with the legal requirements of the country you are visiting and to help if you get into difficulties.

In addition to your passport and driving licence this may include your vehicle registration document (V5); motor insurance certificate; International Driving Permit (if required or advised); breakdown policy and contact numbers; travel insurance documents, and any emergency helpline numbers.

4. Check your breakdown cover extends to Europe

You may need to increase your existing cover or take out standalone European breakdown policy to avoid unnecessary stress and significant additional expense if anything goes wrong.

If you need breakdown cover abroad for a short time, why not try our Single Trip European Breakdown Cover, starting from just £6. If you drive to Europe on a regular basis, then our annual trip product will be more suitable for you.

5. Check your car insurance

Make sure your car insurance covers you to drive abroad. Check with your insurance company that you’re fully covered to drive abroad.

If you don’t have overseas cover, you will only have the minimum legal cover (usually third party only) in the EU and you may need to pay an extra premium to extend your insurance cover.

If you’re hiring a car, don’t forget to cover your hire excess. In the event your rental car is damaged or stolen, or if you put the wrong fuel in, your rental company will expect you to pay to repair or replace the vehicle. Car hire excess insurance protects your excess, meaning you can claim back any charges.

• RAC Temporary car insurance - short term car cover from one hour to 30 days

6. Need a visa?

Make sure you've got correct visas for the country you are visiting and that your passport is valid. 

Even if the UK leaves the EU without a deal on 31 October 2019 it is unlikely that you will need a visa for short trips of 90 days or less according to European Commission proposals. STA Travel is a good resource to find out more about travel visas.

7. First time abroad?

All first-time adult passport applicants must now attend an interview to verify their identity. It now takes up to six weeks to get a first passport. .

8. Passport validity check

For certain countries your passport must be valid for six months after the date you travel and be less than 10 years old.

9. Photocopy your passport

Take photocopies of your passport and other important documents and keep these separate from the originals when you travel and/or store them online using a secure data storage site.

DRIVING TO GERMANY? Don't forget your German emissions sticker and get take out European breakdown cover in case you break down in Germany

10. Emergency contact

Make sure you fill in the emergency contact details in your passport. This will make it much easier for the emergency services to contact someone in case of an emergency.

11. Share your trip details

Tell a friend or relative where you are going and for how long for – give them some idea of your itinerary if possible and an emergency contact number.

12. Emergency funds

Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds in a mix of cash and travellers’ cheques – make a note of the cheques' numbers before you go.

13. Travel guide

Invest in a good travel guide to help you plan your trip.

Yes, be spontaneous, but there's nothing more frustrating than walking round in the heat for hours looking for the nearest good restaurant or cashpoint and a guide can point out these with ease.

14. Duty free allowances

​Check HM Revenue & Customs Travel website for information on duty-free allowances and any banned goods etc.

15. Vaccine check

Visit a travel health centre or your GP to find out what vaccinations or medication you may need before your trip – do this early as some destinations require vaccinations months in advance of your trip.

16. International Driving Permit

Check whether you need an International Driving Permit in the country you plan to visit.

17. Find the nearest embassy

Check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's website to find out where the nearest embassy is, what services they offer and their opening times – you never know when you might need to contact them and it's better to be safe than sorry.

18. Don't travel without travel insurance 

If you become seriously ill or injured abroad, you will need full travel insurance to cover any medical bills, otherwise you could be left with a hefty bill after you get better – most countries will even charge you if an ambulance is called out.

Also make sure your insurance covers you for any activities you are likely to undertake such as water sports and you are covered should you decide to ride or be a passenger on a motorbike or moped.

19. Get a free European Health Insurance Card

A European health card isn't a substitute for travel insurance, but it does entitle you to free or reduced-cost emergency care in some instances.

To find out more about what they cover, visit the NHS advice page. 

Also remember, you need to call 112 to contact the emergency services in any EU country.

20. Make sure your car is in good running order

Prepare your car before your trip by making sure it is serviced at your local garage.

There are also simple things you can do yourself to make sure your car is in good, roadworthy condition including the under-the-bonnet check in our video below and checking your tyres are in good condition.

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Remember most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road (the exceptions are: the UK, Irish Republic, Cyprus and Malta).

This means that typically, you’ll be negotiating roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction rather than clockwise!

If you find you have to overtake, exercise extra caution as it is not easy in a right-hand drive car and may be safer when you reach a stretch of dual carriageway.

1. Get on the right track

Remember most European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road (the exceptions are: the Irish Republic, Cyprus and Malta).

This means that typically, you’ll be negotiating roundabouts in an anti-clockwise direction rather than clockwise!

If you find you have to overtake, exercise extra caution as it is not easy in a right-hand drive car and may be safer when you reach a stretch of dual carriageway.

2. Map out your travel plans

Sat-navs are invaluable, but it’s worth double-checking your route with a detailed map of the area.

Remember to bear in mind that sat-nav requirements may differ from country to country – for example, in France, it is illegal to use sat-nav equipment with radar detection indicating where fixed speed cameras are located.

3. Keep loose change in your car

Many European countries operate toll roads, so make sure you have plenty of loose change in the correct currency to cover the cost of tolls. Make sure your loose change is hidden away when you park your car though - a few Euros on display will present a tempting target for thief. 

It is also worthwhile keeping some spare money to cover any unexpected costs that crop up along the way.

4. Expect the unexpected

Drive carefully and cautiously, taking extra care to be really observant.

Remember the local driving style may be very different to that of the UK.

The advice from the Foreign Office is always to drive defensively when abroad and to expect the unexpected.

5. Stick to the rules

Make sure you obey the rules and regulations of the road.

This means sticking to all the speed limits and observing what we as UK drivers may think are rather obscure rules – e.g. in Spain and Switzerland, if you wear prescription glasses, always carry a spare set; and in Spain, never wear flip flops while driving and in Italy only park in the direction of the flow of traffic.

Observing the local rules will make your holiday go much smoother – attempting to discuss a driving offence with a police officer in a foreign language or using broken English and sign language is never easy!

6. Take a break

Driving is tiring at the best of times but if you are driving overseas in unfamiliar areas, concentrating on driving on the right-hand side of the road and reading different road signs, it can be even more exhausting.

Ensure you take frequent breaks and stop in a safe place for a rest if you are feeling tired.

7. Watch out, thieves about

Protect your car from being broken into by exercising vigilance. Don’t leave valuables in sight, check your vehicle is locked and park in safe, well-lit areas.

8. Beware wear and tear

Any driving holiday when you are using your car for long periods of time may increase wear and tear on your vehicle.

It’s worth checking your tyres, windscreen, mirrors and lights throughout your holiday to be on the safe side.

9. Accidents happen

If you are unfortunate enough to be involved in an accident, contact your insurer immediately and call the police.

Obtain the other driver’s full details together with the names and contact details of any witnesses.

Remember to take photographs of the damage to your vehicle.

10. Use your common sense

Just because you’re on holiday doesn’t mean you throw all your common-sense out of the window!

Always wear your seatbelt and make sure your passengers are wearing theirs, don’t use your mobile phone while driving and make sure you don’t get distracted by your satnav.

• Find out about local customs and dress, behave accordingly and obey local laws – there may be serious penalties for breaking a law that might seem trivial at home
• Be careful when taking photographs, videos or using binoculars. Such activities may be misunderstood, especially near military installations or airports
• Check with your service provider to make sure your phone works abroad
• Check whether it’s safe to drink local tap water – if not, stick to bottled water and avoid salads, non-peeling fruit and ice in drinks
• Check import regulations for food and plants before you attempt to bring them back to the UK
• Hiring a car? You may want to consider car hire excess insurance – it could be cheaper than waiting to add it when you collect your car
• Need cover for the UK leg of your trip? Get complete peace of mind at home or at the roadside with RAC Breakdown Cover

For extra guidance on driving abroad, read our answers to some frequently asked questions:

We also recommend purchasing a European driving kit as they can prove essential in some countries where it is the law to carry additional items in your car.

• Exhaust repair