A guide to driving in Europe after Brexit
Driving in Europe can open up a range of exciting holiday opportunities. Things have changed since the UK left the European Union, though, so to help you plan your trip, we’ve summarised what you need to know to make it as stress-free as possible.
By
Mark Casey
Check your car insurance cover for Europe
Since Brexit, you no longer need to carry a ‘Green Card’ to drive in Europe. This is because your car insurance will provide you with third-party-only cover when you drive in an EU country, as well as certain other countries. However, it’s still critical to ensure that you have the correct level of cover for your trip.
As a starting point, if you plan to drive your vehicle abroad, it’s worth informing your insurer beforehand. In fact, some insurers will expect you to let them know – if that is the case, it will be specified in your policy documents.
This will allow them to advise you on whether you have adequate cover and provide you with the perfect opportunity to add extra features, such as EU breakdown cover, if you don’t already have them.
Minimum cover is standard: UK policies provide the legal minimum of third-party-only cover to drive in the EU. You’ll also be covered in other European countries, including Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland.
Check your comprehensive cover: If you have comprehensive cover, it’s essential to review your policy documents or contact your insurer before travelling to confirm whether your comprehensive cover extends to Europe. Otherwise, you’ll be limited to third-party-only cover, which excludes:
Theft or attempted theft of your car
Damage to your car if an accident is your fault
Fire damage
Accidental damage
Weather-related damage
Vandalism
Windscreen repair or replacement
Duration of cover: Most insurers limit their comprehensive European cover to a set number of days per trip or per year, typically 90 days. Therefore, ensure you’re aware of any limits specified in your policy.
In addition to ensuring your vehicle is properly insured, it’s also worth considering adding features such as motor legal expenses insurance, which can help cover costs if you need to attend court.
Your essential documents checklist
It’s useful to have a checklist of the essential documents you need before you travel, to help avoid any unnecessary disruption to your trip. Make sure you have:
Valid UK driving licence: If your photocard driving licence is valid in the UK, it will also be valid for the EU, as well as other countries, including Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. You, therefore, won’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for those countries, but you may need one for some non-EU countries, or if you only have a paper licence, or if your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man.
Vehicle log book (V5C): If you’re taking your car to the EU, you’ll need to take your original vehicle registration document (V5C log book). If you’ve hired a car in the UK or are driving a company car, you’ll need to carry a Vehicle on Hire Certificate (VE103), which shows you have the right to drive that vehicle abroad. The rental firm should provide you with this.
Proof of insurance: Remember to take your certificate of motor insurance in case you need it.
Valid passports: You’ll need these for every person in the vehicle.
Breakdown policy documents: If you have European cover, don’t forget to take your documents.
Your mandatory vehicle equipment checklist
In many European countries, you are legally required to carry certain items in your vehicle. Exactly what you need will depend on the country you’re visiting. However, the following items are essential regardless of where you plan to visit:
UK sticker: 'GB' stickers are no longer valid. Instead, you’ll need a 'UK' sticker on the rear of your vehicle, unless your number plate already has the UK identifier on it. The only exceptions are Spain, Cyprus, and Malta, where you’ll need to display a UK sticker regardless. You can buy stickers at most car accessories shops.
Headlamp converters: Stickers or manual adjustments may be needed to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers.
Warning triangle: These are compulsory in most countries.
Reflective jackets: Take one for each occupant and keep them inside the car's cabin, rather than the boot.
First-aid kit: This is recommended for all countries and is compulsory in some, such as Austria and Germany.
You can view the information you need by country by visiting the EU’s Your Europe website. Check the country’s official tourist information website if you’re travelling to a country in Europe that’s not in the EU.
If you’re travelling in your motorhome, consider any specific motorhome regulations in Europe and check the laws regarding what you need to have with you.
Other key rules to be aware of
In addition to the essentials, there are a couple of other points it’s useful to be aware of to avoid confusion:
Low-emission zones: Many European cities, such as Paris and Berlin, require drivers to display a specific sticker (like the French Crit'Air vignette) to drive in their low-emission zones. Research your destination in advance to make sure you avoid any fines.
Speed camera detectors: Devices that detect speed cameras are illegal in many European countries, including France, even if they’re switched off.
Tailor your car insurance package for stress-free travel
At Alan Boswell Group, we can help with a wide range of services, including call assist breakdown cover. Plus, if you decide to stay at home this summer and explore the UK, we can also provide staycation travel insurance.
To find out more about how we can help, you can speak to a team member directly.
Make an enquiry
FAQs
Breakdown cover isn’t a legal requirement for driving in Europe. However, it’s certainly worth considering, as it can protect you from potentially high recovery and repair costs if your vehicle breaks down abroad.
While each country has its own rules and regulations, as a general rule, you can take a car to the EU and drive it with foreign plates for up to six months annually. For most people, this won’t be a problem, as leisure travellers from the UK can only visit EU countries for 90 days in any 180-day period, unless they have a long-stay visa.
UK drivers must carry the following documents with them in France:
Full, valid UK driving licence
Proof of ID (passport)
Motor insurance certificate
V5C registration document
Your vehicle must display a ‘UK’ sticker
A Crit'Air sticker must also be displayed on your car if you visit certain cities
Also, your vehicle must have the following equipment:
Warning triangle
Headlamp beam deflectors
Reflective jackets
Snow chains when driving through 'snow zones'
And, of course, remember to drive on the right, respect the local speed limit and child seat regulations, and be aware of low-emission zones and specific traffic laws like ‘prioritié à droite’.
Yes, you’ll need to have your original V5C document (log book) with you if you plan to drive in France