Holiday car hire: the ultimate guide to driving in Europe

When driving in Europe, motorists must:

• Have a full and valid driving license
• Drive on the right side of the road in most countries
• Keep safety equipment in their car

There are many reasons you may find yourself driving in Europe: travelling from A to B on a work trip, holidaying with young kids or pets, or finally embarking on that dream road trip. And while Europe is made up of lots of different countries – all with their own rules and regulations – there are some major differences when it comes to motoring on the continent vs driving in the UK.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about driving in Europe.

Important documents for driving in Europe

British drivers motoring around Europe need to keep several documents on them. While the exact combination of documents you’re legally required to carry varies from country-to-country, there are a number of papers it’s worth keeping in your car wherever you are.

Here’s a handy driving in Europe checklist:

1. Full and valid driving licence

Is a UK driving licence valid in Europe? Yes. In fact, wherever you’re planning to drive in Europe, you’ll need to bring your full, valid driving licence. Your photocard licence should be accepted across the continent, but if you still have an old, paper licence, you may also need to bring an International Driving Permit (IDP) – more on that later.

2. Passport

You will need your passport to travel to Europe from the UK and–if you’re embarking on a multi-country European road trip–you’ll need it when entering or exiting the Schengen area, and when travelling outside the Schengen zone. But you’ll also need to carry your passport as a separate form of ID to your driving licence when driving. In many European countries, this is a legal requirement.

In most European countries, your UK passport will need to be valid for at least three months after your intended departure date, and issued within the last ten years.

3. International Driving Permit (IDP)

An IDP is essentially an international translation of your UK driving licence. Not every UK driver in Europe needs one, but if you do, it’s relatively affordable and easy to get hold of one.

If you have a valid, full photocard licence issued in the UK, you won’t need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.

However, you may need an IDP to drive in these locations if:

• You have an old paper driving licence.
• Your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

You can check to see if you need an IDP for your trip here.

There are three types of IDP:

• 1929
• 1949
• 1968

The type you need depends on the country or countries you’re planning to visit, and in some instances, the length of time you’ll be spending there. You can find out which type of IDP you need here.

So, if you do need an IDP, how do you get one? As long as you live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland, have a full UK driving licence and are 18 or over, you can get one at a PayPoint shop in the UK ahead of your trip. Find your nearest PayPoint store using this checker.

Here’s what you’ll need to take with you to the PayPoint shop:

• A valid, full UK driving licence
• A recent passport photo
• The £5.50 fee
• An original, valid passport (only required if you have a paper licence)

4. A UK sticker

You must display the UK identifier when driving a UK-registered vehicle abroad. The one exception is Ireland, where you do not need to display a UK identifier.

What’s more, if your vehicle’s number plate includes the UK identifier alongside a Union Jack flag, you do not need a UK sticker for your car.

However, you will need to clearly display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:

• A GB identifier with the Union Jack
• A Euro symbol
• A national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
• Numbers and letters only – no flag or identifier

Furthermore, if you are taking your car to Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker regardless of your number plate. If you’re renting a car at your destination, no sticker is necessary.

5. Motor insurance certificate

When driving in Europe, you’ll need proof that your car is insured in the UK. You can tick this box by keeping your motor insurance certificate in your vehicle. However, a Green Card (International Motor Insurance Card) is no longer required for driving within the European Economic Area (EEA), which includes the EU, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

6. V5C Vehicle Log Book

Your V5C–also known as the vehicle log book–is an essential UK government document that proves who is responsible for registering and taxing a vehicle. When driving in Europe in a UK-registered car, you must be able to produce this if asked.

General rules to keep in mind for UK drivers

While the rules of the road vary from country to country, there are some key differences between driving in continental Europe and driving in the UK.

1. Drive on the right

Unlike the UK, the vast majority of European nations drive on the right-hand side of the road. This shift can take a while to get used to – especially at roundabouts, which go counter-clockwise, meaning you need to give way to traffic from the left.

There are a few European countries, other than the UK, that drive on the left, including:

• Ireland
• Cyprus
• Malta

The Crown Dependencies, including the Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey also all drive on the left-hand side of the road.

2. Follow headlight regulations

In Europe, you’ll find that rules around headlights can vary significantly with every border you cross. For instance, in many European nations, motorists are required to keep their dipped headlights or DRLs on at all times – even during the day. Other countries require the use of headlights or DRLs during the day in winter but not summer. And in some nations, you must switch on your lights whenever you’re outside built-up areas, no matter the time of day or year.

If you’re driving a newer vehicle, it may have DRLs (daytime running lights), which are low wattage bulbs that automatically turn on when the engine starts.

3. Keep safety equipment in your car

In many European countries, it’s a legal requirement to keep certain safety items in your car at all times. However, regulations vary from country to country, so it’s vital to research which safety items you’ll need for your trip ahead of time.

Here are some of the items you may need to pack:

• A reflective jacket: many countries require motorists to carry high-vis jackets within their cars, to be worn before they exit the vehicle on busy roads or motorways. In some of these countries, you just need one jacket (for the driver), while other nations require you to carry one per occupant of the car.
• Warning triangle/s: in some European countries, you’ll need to keep one or more warning triangles in your car to place on the road to warn other drivers in the case of a breakdown or accident.
• Spare bulbs: carrying spare bulbs is not a legal requirement across all of Europe, but a number of countries do mandate it – and it’s generally recommended as good practice for motorists.
• First aid kit: did you know that carrying a first aid kit in your car is a legal requirement in some European countries? The exact requirements vary, so it’s important to look up if you need a first aid kit for your trip, and what it should contain.

4. Be aware of tolls

Many European countries have toll roads or use vignettes. On a toll road, it’s important to keep cash and/or your card handy, as you’ll usually be expected to pay at a booth upon leaving the toll zone.

In some European nations, you’ll need a vignette sticker or an electronic equivalent to use certain roads or highways. These devices are used to collect money from drivers on toll roads without needing toll booths, which can cause delays and congestion.

Before setting off, find out if any of the countries you’re driving through uses vignettes – you may need to purchase them ahead of time.

5. Use headlight beam deflectors

You need to use headlight beam deflectors when driving a UK car in the majority of European countries to avoid dazzling other drivers. This is because the headlights on UK cars dip to the left in order to illuminate road signs and verges. But if you drive that same car on the right-hand side of the road, the beam now dips towards oncoming traffic, potentially blinding drivers.

In many countries it’s a legal requirement to modify your headlights when bringing in a right-hand-drive car. If your car doesn’t have headlight adjusters built in, you’ll need to bring beam deflectors, which are stick-on filters or patches that redirect the light.

6. Alcohol limits

While it’s always safest never to get behind the wheel after an alcoholic drink, it’s important to note that most countries in Europe have a lower blood-alcohol limit for drivers than the UK.

For example, while the UK’s limit is 0.08% BAC (blood alcohol content), Italy, France and Germany have a BAC limit of 0.05% for drivers. Meanwhile, other countries, such as Hungary, Slovakia and Czechia have a no tolerance (or 0% BAC) policy.

Popular road trip routes in Europe

Ready to hit the road and looking for some inspiration? Here are three of Europe’s most popular road trip routes.

1. Italy: Amalfi Coast Drive

Route: Naples > Sorrento > Positano > Amalfi > Ravello

This is a bucket list dream for many. Wind your way among the Amalfi Coast’s dramatic cliffs and colourful seaside towns. Expect tight bends, lemon groves, turquoise coves and some of the most scenic views in Europe.

Highlights on the Amalfi Coast Drive include:

• Views of Mount Vesuvius
• Naples’ UNESCO-listed historic centre (the birthplace of pizza)
• Travel from Sorrento to Capri by ferry
• The picture-perfect pastel buildings of Positano
• Amalfi’s stunning cathedral
• Sample limoncello in its birthplace

2. Germany: Romantic Road

Route: Würzburg > Rothenburg ob der Tauber > Augsburg > Füssen (Neuschwanstein Castle)

This fairytale drive takes you through the medieval towns, vineyards and castles of dreamy Bavaria. Interested in history, Alpine landscapes and charming villages? Then embark on one of Germany’s most beloved road trips.

Highlights of this road trip include:

• The beautifully baroque (and UNESCO-crowned) Würzburg Residence
• River Main views and wine tasting
• The perfectly preserved medieval walled town of Rothenburg ob der Tauber
• Nördlingen – a town built inside a meteor crater
• The world-famous Neuschwanstein Castle (the inspiration for Disney’s logo and Sleeping Beauty Castle)

3. Scotland: North Coast 500

Route: Inverness > Applecross > Ullapool > Durness > John o' Groats

If you’re a fan of dramatic landscapes and remote getaways, you’ll struggle to beat Scotland’s incredible North Coast 500 drive. Often referred to as ‘Scotland’s Route 66’, this one will take you looping around the wild Highlands. Along the way, look out for lochs, rugged cliffs and hidden beaches.

Highlights of the North Coast 500 include:

• Motoring along Bealach na Bà – a famous mountain pass with steep inclines and hairpin bends
• The whitewashed fishing town on Loch Broom
• Catching a ferry from Ullapool to the Outer Hebrides
• Smoo Cave – a dramatic sea cave with an underground waterfall
• Spotting puffins, deer and eagles
• The iconic ‘end of the road’ photo stop at John o' Groats