GovWire

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You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check yours is still valid and renew your driving licence online if its expired or about to expire.

If your driving licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, youll need to get a new one before you can drive abroad.

If you apply online, you should receive your new driving licence within 5 days. If you apply by post, it will take longer.

If youre taking your own vehicle, you also need to take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate.

If youre taking a vehicle abroad that youve hired or leased in the UK, youll need a VE103 certificate.

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP)

You might need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP).

You can get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint. You might need one for each country youre visiting.

Do not apply for an IDP if youre moving abroad. Youll need to either exchange your UK licence or apply for a new one in the country youre moving to.

Check the overseas driving rules

Make sure you follow overseas driving rules, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. You may be breaking the law and get a fine if you do not.

Depending on the country youre visiting you may need:

• extra equipment - for example, you need a reflective jacket and a warning triangle in many countries
• emission stickers (permits) in some European cities - you may need to buy these weeks before you go abroad
• headlight converter stickers
• a UK sticker

If youre hiring a car, its your responsibility to check you have the equipment you need.

Check what you need to do if youre driving in the EU.

Check the travel advice for all countries.

If youre taking your own vehicle

Youll need to check if you have the right vehicle insurance for the countries youre driving through and what proof you need to carry.

Find out more about vehicle insurance when youre driving abroad.

Towing your trailer or caravan abroad

Before towing your trailer abroad, check if you need to:

• get category BE added to your driving licence
• register your trailer
• carry a green card or additional insurance

Get category BE added to your driving licence

If you want to tow a trailer over 750kg abroad, update your licence to show that you can drive category BE. You do not need to do this if your licence already shows you can drive category BE.

You need to complete the D1 application form and send it to DVLA with:

• a letter to say you are travelling abroad and you need BE added to your licence
• your driving licence

Its free to do this.

Check if you need to register your trailer

Check if you need to register your trailer before you can take it abroad.

Check if you need a green card or additional insurance

Before driving your vehicle, trailer or caravan abroad, check if you need a green card or additional insurance for the country youre going to.

Hiring a car abroad

Your hire company may ask to see your driving licence information when you pick up the car. You can share this by getting a licence check code. You can do this up to 21 days before your trip.

If youre hiring a car, insurance is included. Check what youre covered for with the hire company.