1. Have the right documentation
- Valid full (not provisional) driving licence
- Driving licence paper counterpart, if you have a photocard licence. (NB The paper counterpart to the photocard licence was abolished from 8 June 2015 and information about penalty points is only being held on DVLA’s driver record. Anticipating that some traffic police and car rental firms overseas may not immediately be aware of this change, the AA recommends that you retain your paper counterpart if you intend driving or hiring a car abroad rather than following DVLA advice and destroying it.)
- An International Driving Permit if required
- Vehicle registration document (V5c). Take the original, not a copy.
- Motor insurance certificate (Check with your motor insurer to make sure you have the cover you expect when driving abroad. They may ask to be notified when you travel abroad or provide only third party cover when you do)
- Passport(s)
- Your travel insurance document
- A visa if needed
2. Familiarise yourself with local rules for drivers before you go. (Websites like AA will give you the information for individual countries.)
3. Check that you are carrying the compulsory equipment for the country(ies) you are visiting. (Again, you can get this information from the AA.)
