Travel and driving glossary
Use this A–Z glossary when a route guide, official page or booking form uses an unfamiliar term. Definitions are deliberately short; follow the guide links for the planning detail and recheck official rules before travel.
A · B · C · E · F · G · I · L · M · P · S · T · U · V · Z
A
Animal health certificate
A document signed by an official veterinarian for a dog, cat or ferret travelling from Great Britain to the EU. A new certificate is needed for each trip. See taking a dog to Europe by car and GOV.UK pet travel guidance.
Automatic roaming message
The message a mobile provider sends when a phone connects abroad, explaining roaming charges or limits. Check it before using data; Ofcom explains mobile roaming.
B
Biometric data
Physical measurements used to confirm identity. The Entry/Exit System can record a facial image and fingerprints, as described in the EU's EES information.
Border control
The official check when a traveller enters or leaves a country or border area. It is separate from ferry or train check-in.
C
Crit'Air
France's vehicle air-quality certificate. A foreign-registered vehicle can be entered on the official Crit'Air application site. Read the Crit'Air sticker guide.
Clean air zone
An area where rules or charges apply to some vehicles because of their emissions. The name and requirements vary by place; see UK clean air zones.
E
E-vignette
A road-use permission recorded electronically, usually against a number plate, instead of displayed as a windscreen sticker. See the tolls and vignettes tool.
EHIC
European Health Insurance Card. A valid existing EHIC can provide access to medically necessary state healthcare in participating countries on the local basis, but it is not a replacement for travel insurance. See the GHIC road-trip guide.
Entry/Exit System (EES)
The EU system that electronically records entries and exits for many non-EU short-stay travellers. It records travel-document details and may collect a facial image and fingerprints. Read EES at Dover and Eurotunnel.
Euro vignette
A general phrase sometimes used for a time-based motorway charge. It is not one Europe-wide product: countries operate separate schemes, so check each route country.
F
Ferry roaming
Mobile use while at sea. A phone can connect to a ship's satellite network rather than a land network, and charges can be higher. See ferry roaming and mobile networks.
Frontier or border crossing point
The place where border officials carry out entry or exit checks. For some Channel journeys, French controls operate before departure from the UK.
G
GHIC
UK Global Health Insurance Card. It can give an eligible traveller access to medically necessary state healthcare during a temporary stay in participating countries, on the same basis as local residents. It does not replace travel insurance. See GHIC on a road trip.
Green card
An international motor-insurance document. GOV.UK says one is not required for driving in the EU and several other named countries, but valid vehicle insurance is still required. See insurance and breakdown cover for Europe.
I
International Driving Permit (IDP)
A permit used alongside, not instead of, a driving licence in places or circumstances that require it. A UK photocard holder does not need one for a visit to the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein; exceptions can apply to other licence types. See driving licences and IDPs abroad.
L
Low-emission zone
A defined area that restricts or charges vehicles according to emissions rules. Registration, sticker and exemption systems differ. Start with low-emission zones in Europe.
M
Medically necessary healthcare
State healthcare that cannot reasonably wait until a traveller returns home. A GHIC or valid EHIC may help with this in participating countries, subject to local arrangements.
Mobile roaming
Using a mobile on a network outside the home provider's normal UK network. Calls, messages and data may cost extra, so check the provider's current terms.
Motorway vignette
A time-based permission needed to use specified motorways or expressways in countries such as Austria and Switzerland. It may be a sticker or electronic record.
P
Passport date of issue
The date a passport was issued. For France and other Schengen destinations, this date is checked separately from the expiry date. See passport dates for driving to France.
Passport expiry date
The final validity date printed in a passport. Destination rules can require validity beyond the planned departure date, so a passport being unexpired on travel day may not be enough.
Photocard licence
A UK driving licence issued as a plastic photo card. Carry the physical licence when driving in the EU; see the driving document folder guide.
S
Schengen area
A group of European countries operating shared short-stay border rules. It is not identical to the EU. Visits across participating countries are combined for the 90-days-in-180 limit.
Short stay
For the EES and common Schengen visitor rule, a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Different rules apply to residence, work and long-stay visas.
Satellite maritime network
A mobile network provided via a ship's satellite connection. It is not the same as ordinary land-based roaming and can carry higher charges.
T
Third-party motor cover
Insurance covering liability for injury or damage caused to other people or their property. GOV.UK says UK vehicle insurance provides the minimum third-party cover in the EU, but travellers should check what wider cover their own policy provides.
Traveller's point of entry
An approved arrival point used when entering the EU with a pet, where pet documents may be checked.
U
UK identifier
The letters “UK” displayed on a vehicle's plate or on a separate sticker to identify a UK-registered vehicle abroad. The exact display requirement depends on the number plate and destination. See the UK sticker guide.
V
V5C
The vehicle log book. GOV.UK says to carry it when taking your own vehicle to the EU for less than 12 months.
VE103
A document showing permission to take a hired or leased vehicle abroad. It is used when the driver does not have the vehicle's V5C.
Vignette
A time-based road charge or permission used on specified roads. It can be a physical sticker or an e-vignette and is bought separately for each national scheme.
Visa-free limit
The maximum stay allowed without a visa under the relevant visitor rules. For a British citizen making a Schengen short visit, it is generally 90 days in any 180-day period; earlier Schengen visits count.
Z
Zero-emission zone
An area where access is limited to vehicles meeting the zone's zero-emission rules. Always check the local authority's official map and current rules before routing through it.