Driving abroad: documents to sort out before the trip
Crossing a border by car is mostly a paperwork exercise. Sort it out at home, where the offices are open and the forms are in your language.
Your licence
Many countries accept a foreign licence for short visits; others want an International Driving Permit (IDP) as well. An IDP is a translation of your licence in a standard format - it is only valid together with the licence itself. There are two common formats, based on the 1949 Geneva and the 1968 Vienna conventions, and a country may recognise one and not the other. Check which one your destination expects and apply in your home country before you leave.
Insurance
- Ask your insurer in writing which countries your policy covers and at what level. "Valid abroad" sometimes means third-party liability only.
- Some regions use an international certificate of insurance (the Green Card system); carry it if your route needs it.
- Note the assistance number that works from abroad - the local one often does not.
If the car is not yours
For a company car, a borrowed car or a car on finance, carry a signed authorisation from the owner allowing you to take it abroad, together with the registration document. Rental companies may forbid some countries altogether - read the terms before you book.
Small things that stop you at the border
| Item | Notes |
|---|---|
| Country identification | A plate with the country code, or a separate sticker where the plate does not show it. |
| Toll vignettes | Many countries sell them online; buy before you reach the motorway. |
| Low-emission zones | Some cities require registration or a sticker in advance, even for visitors. |
| Mandatory equipment | Warning triangle, reflective vests, first-aid kit - the list varies by country. |