Driving abroad document folder: what to carry

By the Travel & Explore team · Last checked 23 October 2026

Check your licence and any permit

You must take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad. Check that it is still valid before you travel. If it is lost, stolen, damaged or destroyed, get a replacement before you drive abroad (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

You may need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in some countries. Whether you need one depends on the country. Use the GOV.UK country table for each country on your route. For Europe, GOV.UK says you do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you hold a UK photocard licence. Paper licences, and licences from Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man, may need one in some EU countries and Norway (GOV.UK: international driving permit).

For more detail, see the driving licence and IDP guide.

Add the vehicle documents

If you take your own vehicle abroad for less than 12 months, you must take your V5C log book with you. UK vehicle tax, a current MOT and UK insurance still apply while the vehicle is abroad (GOV.UK: taking vehicles out of the UK).

If you have hired or leased the vehicle in the UK, you need a VE103 vehicle on hire certificate to show you are allowed to take it abroad (GOV.UK: taking vehicles out of the UK). For Liechtenstein, Mexico or Somalia you also need an International Certificate for Motor Vehicles (ICMV), taken with your V5C or VE103. For a hired or leased vehicle, ask the hire company to apply for it (GOV.UK: taking vehicles out of the UK).

If you tow a trailer over 750kg, your licence needs to show category BE. If it does not, GOV.UK says to send form D1 to DVLA. Also check whether the trailer must be registered before you take it abroad (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Make a country-by-country list

Write each country on your route in travel order, including countries you only pass through. Use the driving in Europe checklist to note the documents, kit and stickers for each one. GOV.UK tells you to check whether you need a country sticker on your vehicle and to check the travel advice for all countries on your route (GOV.UK: driving abroad).

Record the source and the date you checked each rule. This guide does not confirm country-specific rules, so use it as a starting point. The driving abroad checklist tool can help you list the items for your countries and vehicle.

Match insurance to the journey

A green card is proof that you have vehicle insurance when you drive abroad. You do not need one in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland, but you still need valid vehicle insurance there (GOV.UK: vehicle insurance when driving abroad).

If you tow a trailer or caravan, you need one green card for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer or caravan. You may also need one card per policy if you have two policies covering the trip (GOV.UK: vehicle insurance when driving abroad).

Ask your insurer to confirm the countries, duration and level of cover for your policy. Check with your insurer whether your policy covers theft or damage abroad. Check breakdown cover with your provider. See insurance and breakdown cover for Europe for more.

Keep documents ready on the road

You must show your green card if you are involved in an accident. You may also be asked for it at a border when you move between countries, or if the police stop you (GOV.UK: vehicle insurance when driving abroad).

Keep the originals you need with you in the vehicle. Tell another adult where the folder is kept and where the insurer contact and vehicle documents are, so someone else can find them if you are driving or dealing with a problem.

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