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Can someone please tell me what documents etc we need in order to drive through France and Spain that we do not normally need in the UK.  We were told that we will need the new style photo driving licence and a Green Card for insurance purposes etc is this accurate? We know about the red triangle and the fluorescent waistcoat - but any other info on what is required we are a little unsure about - so any help, tips and advice will be very welcome.

Thanks a lot.

Sue

Sue,

have a look at this website, there's lots of handy tips there.

http://www.ferryprice.co.uk/ferry-to-france/driving_abroad.html

Hi Sue, You do not need the new photocard licence but if you already have one you must take the counterpart licence as well. You do not normally require a Green Card as most insurance certificates have the necessary printed on the back, assuming of course that it covers you for use in the EU. Make sure that any countries that you intend to visit are covered by the insurance. Beam Benders for your headlights are available in Halfords and are quite easy to fit. I leave mine on all year, the M/H or car will pass the MOT with them on.

Phil.

Sue, I forgot to mention that you must take the vehicle Registration Document, or Registration Certificate as the newer ones are called.

Phil

Hi,

as long as your rearmost numberplate has the Euro badge on it, you don't need to display the GB sticker. If you feel better WITH a GB sticker, you can buy the magnetic ones if you don't want to stick 'owt on the car or 'van. Obviously these are ok for cars and trailers. No good for the plasic moulding of a caravan.

Another lesser known requirement in France is that if you wear prescription glasses, you must have a spare pair with you!

Clive, You don't need an International Driving Permit  for the EU, if you travel outside the EU then you do. If you have number plates with the EU symbol and a country identifier, eg GB or Eng or Sco or Cym then you do not need the large oval sticker any more.

Phil.

Quote: Originally posted by romany on 16/11/2004

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I can assure you clive phil is wrong the spanish require a licence with the photo on it our old type licence is not acceptable as it has no photo if you have the new photo one then no probs if not I know this because my wife who is spanish nearly got arrested last year because she handed them her english non photo licence luckily she also had her spanish licence with her and of course could explain things easily I did demand the bribe money back from the police as they let me down  It is also a deffinite legal requirement in spain to have spare bulb set and carries an on the spot fine if not carried or arrest take your pick

PS wife tells me if your new licence does not have a spanish translation on it then you need the international one Please believe me the Spanish do not follow the eu rules like we do and speaking from experiance its no good saying but were in the eu and that makes it alright you will spend a night in jail even if your right so for £4.00 why risk it

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Romany, try looking at the DVLA website on driving licences, the current paper driving licence is accepted throughout the EU which I believe includes Spain, unless they have opted out recently The old type licence which I think was green, was replaced a long time ago by the pink one. I agree that if you still have the old style licence it is not valid outside GB.

Phil.

Here is a link to a page in the DVLA website http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/drvinothercountries.htm hope this removes any confusion .

Phil.

Romany, I understand what you're saying and it's a pity when the local police can't or wont follow the rules, any way the easy way out is to get a photocard licence which then doubles as an ID card. I used to have an IDP and it was always amusing if I got stopped for anything and showed it I would always get a smart salute and get waved on. On one occasion the police even stopped the traffic to let me proceed. I obtained it when in the RAF and for occupation it said 'Government Service' so I expect that accounted for the unusual treatment

Phil.