Planning a road trip to Europe? Don’t forget those vital bits of kit to stay legal! We’ve compiled a checklist of everything you need for driving in Europe
Whether you’re heading to Europe for work or leisure, you’ll need to make sure you’re up to speed on the laws of the countries you’re travelling through. Some European countries have different and more extensive requirements than the UK and, whichever country you go to, there are some things that you absolutely cannot forget. Make sure to read our full driving in Europe guide before you go.
What driving documents do I need for Europe?
You’ll need your passport – you won’t get onto the ferry or the Eurotunnel without it – and you also need your driving licence. Both need to be valid and in-date. Those are obvious, but you must also take your V5C logbook (if you’re the registered keeper of your vehicle) and confirmation of both travel and car insurance.
It’s worth taking a DVLA check code with you, especially if you’re going to be hiring a car abroad. Dig out your COVID vaccination certificates or proof of a recent negative test, just in case.
You won’t need an International Driving Permit (IDP), unless you’re going even further afield or are planning to stay in a country for a couple of months. If you have a UK photocard driving licence, you won’t need an IDP for any EU country plus Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland.
A Green Card that gives proof of insurance shouldn’t be necessary, either, unless you’re heading to countries including Albania, Belarus, Turkey and Ukraine. Bear in mind that you won’t have comprehensive insurance cover on the continent unless it’s specifically stated in your policy.
Towing a trailer or caravan? You need to make sure you have the ‘BE’ category on your driving licence. You may also need to register your trailer with the UK Government if it’s particularly large.
What do I need to drive in Europe?
Make sure you’ve saved a little space in the car for some essential bits. These are required in most European countries:
- Warning triangle, to be used in the event of a breakdown
- Hi-vis jackets for everyone in the car
- Spare pair of glasses or contact lenses, if required
- Headlamp converters (unless your car’s headlights are flat or can be changed with a setting)
- UK car sticker
Motorcyclists, moped riders and their passengers must wear a crash helmet.
If you’re taking a campervan and a car, it’s recommended to tow the car on a trailer instead of using an A-frame.
As well as the above, make sure you take these additional items if applicable:
France
- First aid kit
- Crit’Air sticker – a sticker relating to the emissions of your car. You must have one to be able to park and drive in French low-emission zones. Cars registered before 1997 are exempt and cannot be driven in low-emission zones. Buy from the French government
- Snow chains for signposted snow zones
Germany
- First aid kit
- Winter tyres or all-season tyres in cold weather
- Umweltplakette – an emissions sticker. Green stickers are for Euro 5 and above, including electric cars; yellow stickers are for Euro 4 cars. Any car that doesn’t meet these standards isn’t allowed in low-emission zones
Switzerland
- For driving in Geneva, you need a Stick’Air emissions sticker. French Crit’Air stickers are accepted, so if you’ve already got a French one you don’t need both
What sticker do I need on my car to drive in Europe?
You need a UK car sticker (not a GB one!) if your number plates don’t have UK badging on them. In Spain, Malta and Cyprus, you need a UK sticker regardless, while you don’t need one in Ireland.
The don't-forget list for your European road trip
We all know we need to pack everyday items such as toothbrushes, sunscreen or spare underwear, and often people reminisce about the nightmare times they forgot these essentials. However, other beneficial items might not spring to mind when compiling your roadtrip packing checklist such as the types of things you would only use on a road trip. We have created a don't forget list so you can be prepared for every eventuality when you set out on your European adventure!
For your car
- Tyre puncture kit / spare tyre
- Roadside emergency kit
- Basic vehicle maintenance items
- Water
For you
- Hand sanitiser
- Antibacterial cream for cuts and scrapes
- Charging banks and cables for electronics
- Torch
- Spare toilet paper
- Insect spray
- Snacks - and lots of them!
- Reusable water bottle + water
- A plug adaptor
- Tick tweezer
- Wet wipes
- Aux lead / bluetooth speaker
- Ear plugs and eye mask
For emergencies
- Emergency whistle
- Seatbelt cutter
- Emergency hammer
- Basic tools e.g. screwdriver, pliers and a wrench
And everything else
- Insurance policy
- Ice scraper and gloves (depending on season)
- Paper maps
- Two forms of identification
Read our guides to the best cars for motorway driving and the best used cars with big boots to make your next family holiday easier.
