Driving abroad

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Overview

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 it’s expired or about to expire.

If your driving licence has been lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, you’ll 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 you’re taking your own vehicle, you also need to take your log book (V5C) and your insurance certificate.

If you’re taking a vehicle abroad that you’ve hired or leased in the UK, you’ll 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 you’re visiting.

Do not apply for an IDP if you’re moving abroad. You’ll need to either exchange your UK licence or apply for a new one in the country you’re 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 you’re 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 you’re hiring a car, it’s your responsibility to check you have the equipment you need.

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

Check the travel advice for all countries.

If you’re taking your own vehicle

You’ll need to check if you have the right vehicle insurance for the countries you’re driving through and what proof you need to carry.

Find out more about vehicle insurance when you’re 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 form D1 ‘Application for a driving licence’ 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

You can get form D1 from most Post Offices.

It’s 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 you’re 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 you’re hiring a car, insurance is included. Check what you’re covered for with the hire company.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Part of Drive abroad: step by step

  1. Step 1 Check where you can use your licence

    1. You are currently viewing: Check the rules for using your driving licence abroad

    You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive outside the UK.

    1. Check if you need an IDP

  2. Step 2 Apply for an international driving permit (IDP)

    1. Get an IDP in person from certain shops that have PayPoint £5.50

  3. Step 3 Get insurance

    1. Check if your vehicle insurance covers you for the countries you're driving through

    Check this with your car hire company if you’re hiring a vehicle.

  4. Step 4 Prepare the documents you need to take with you

    1. Check what documents you need to take a vehicle out of the UK

    If you're hiring a car you may need to share your driving licence information with the hire company.

    1. Get a 'check code' to share your driving licence information

    If you got your licence in Northern Ireland, you’ll need to show the rental company your paper counterpart instead.

  5. Step 5 Check the rules for the country you're travelling to

    The rules for driving may be different in the country you're going to. For example, drink-driving rules might be different or you might need to carry extra equipment in your car.

    1. Check if you need to display a country sticker on your vehicle
    2. Check what you need to do if you’re driving in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway
    3. Check the travel advice for all countries

    When you have your documents, insurance and any extra equipment you need you can drive abroad.