Driving in the rest of Europe

The rules and regulations that govern British motorists in Europe have changed due to Brexit. The guidance in our checklist is from the government website – it’s not exhaustive, but covers what we think are the most important points.

Driving in Europe:

We recommend that before travelling, you check the following:

1. Vehicle log book (V5C)
   In the event that your vehicle breaks down, cannot be repaired, and needs to be transported back to Britain from the EU, it is possible that border control services could ask to see the original V5C log book to prove the vehicle is being legitimately brought into the country. Delay caused by not having your V5C may result in additional storage costs that you will be required to pay.
2. International Driving Permits (IDP)
   The type of IDP required differs by country and you can check the government website for details before travelling abroad.  If you are travelling through any countries that require different IDPs, then you will be required to have all relevant IDPs.  Failure to produce an IDP at the request of the police could result in an on-the-spot fine and the seizure of your vehicle.
3. Congestion at ports
   There is an increased chance of facing delays at ports. We recommend allowing plenty of time to make your connections.

Other documents you should take with you:

1. Driving licence
2. Motor insurance certificate
3. Passport
4. European breakdown call-out number – +44 870 77 44 565 for those with ETA European cover

Breakdown cover

Get an instant quote for Euro breakdown cover for cars, vans and motorbikes aged up to 20 years here

1. Breaking down on motorways in France
   If you breakdown on a motorway in France you will have to use the emergency phones at the side of the road to call out the recovery service operated by the French police – nobody else is permitted to attend broken down vehicles on this type of road. You will be charged a fee, but this should be reimbursed by your own breakdown provider.
2. French roads, new drivers and speed limits
   While on the subject of motorways, it’s worth noting that in France lower speed limits apply to visiting drivers who have held a driving licence for less than two years (motorways 110 kph rather than 130 kph, open roads 80 kph rather than 90 kph and dual carriageways 100 kph rather than 110 kph)

Alcohol and driving

Alcohol limits for driver vary slightly from country to country – the best advice is to avoid drink completely if you are driving.

Breathalyser Law in France

Disposable breathalyser kits remain on the list of items you are required to take with you when you drive in France (see other items listed below), but there is no fine for not having a breathalyzer in your car. In January 2013, the French government said the fine for not having an unused breathalyzer with you (which was to have been €11) has been postponed indefinitely.

Under French law, drivers are required to carry a fluorescent vest, warning triangle, replacement headlamp bulbs and a rudimentary first aid kit. A high-viz vest is to be worn if the driver (or passenger) has to step out of the car after breaking down or simply stopping on a busy road.

Insurance

Don’t assume your car insurance covers your trip abroad – most policies include basic third party cover for driving in Europe, but the only way to be certain of your level of cover is to read your policy or contact your provider.

Medical treatment

Some degree of reduced-cost care is available in most European countries, but the service is not always comprehensive and the cost of repatriation in the event of an emergency is never covered.

Child seats

If you have young children and are hiring a car abroad, you might consider taking your own child seat with you. It might seem like a hassle, but the seats provided by the car hire company get a lot of use (and abuse) and to make matters worse, if it is a model you are unfamiliar with, you may find the local staff are not permitted to fit the seats themselves.

Reflective tabards and warning triangles

France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria and Croatia all require that drivers carry a reflective jacket or tabard for use if the car breaks down. All cars in Europe must carry a warning triangle. Ferry companies will gladly remind you of this and charge around £50 for a kit including a tabard, replacement bulbs and a first aid kit. The same kit costs half that price elsewhere.

Headlights

You will need to adjust your car’s headlamps to suit driving on the right as failure to do so will dazzle oncoming drivers and could land you with a fine. Headlamp beam converter kits are widely available but Halogen or Xenon headlamps may need adjustment by your dealer.

Hiring a car in Europe

The paper counterpart to the British driving licence was recently scrapped, so car hire companies now check to see if you have penalty points by viewing online records stored by the DVLA. If you hire a car in Britain or abroad, you may need to give the hire company a code which allows them temporary access to these records. The code remain active for 72 hours. In other words, if you are hiring a car abroad do not request the code too far in advance. If the code expires, you will need to request another one. With your permission, the car hire company can call the DVLA on your behalf but they may charge you for the call.

How do I get the driving licence check code for a car hire company?

To see if you have endorsements on your licence, a car hire company needs your permission in the form of a code. To obtain the licence check code, visit www.viewdrivingrecord.service.gov.uk or call 0300 083 0013.

To get a licence check code, you will need your:

• National Insurance number (you can find this on your NI card, payslip, P60, benefits information or tax return)
• Driving licence number (section 5 of your driving licence photocard)
• Postcode

How much does it cost to get a driving licence check code?

Getting a driving licence check code is free. If you are hiring a car abroad, and haven’t provided a check code in advance, the car hire company will wait until you arrive to pick up the car before phoning the DVLA. This can be time-consuming and you may be charged for the international call.

Can I still hire a car without the code?

Yes. The code simply allows car hire companies to save time by checking your driving history before you arrive to pick up the vehicle. If you do not have the code, the car hire company can call the DVLA to do a driver check over the phone. If you are one of the 8 million drivers who still have a paper-only driving licence you won’t have to go through any of this rigmarole.

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