Driving abroad

Driving Abroad – Information on driving overseas, including things to remember, and useful items to carry with you.

Things to remember :-

Documentation

  • License
  • Insurance
  • Registration
  • Vehicle ownership documents
  • Emergency contact information

Car Repairs & Maintenance

  • Jumper cables
  • Spare tire and tire-changing equipment
  • Air pump
  • Multitool
  • Flashlight
  • Reflective triangles and/or flares

Austria

Driving License and Age Requirements

  • Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving license to legally drive in Austria.
  • Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over, while moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged 15 or over.

Vignette should also be purchased if driving in Austria. The cost is around 22.90 Euros at the time of publishing this information.

Some road signs may not be in English, so it’s a good idea to learn some basic German road signs.

Switzerland

Vignette should be purchased if driving in Switzerland. The cost is around CHF40 ( about 55.00 Euros ) at the time of publishing this information. The e-vignette will be linked to the number plate, whereas the old sticker system was stuck to the windscreen and could not be transferred. Under the new system, the number plate can be changed online if you purchase a different vehicle, so can be transferred.

Traffic rules

In Switzerland, traffic drives on the right-hand side of the road. Everyone in the vehicle must wear a seatbelt, and the headlights must be on even during the day. Children under the age of 12 must be correctly secured in a seat designed for their age group (infant car seat, child seat, booster seat, etc.) if they are under 150 cm tall.

The maximum tolerated blood alcohol level while driving is 0.25 mg/l or 0.5‰. This limit goes down to 0.10‰ for professional drivers, learner or new drivers, and driving instructors.

Spain

Make sure you have your driving licence with you if driving in Spain, and your passport.

If you are driving with children up to 12 years old and less than 4 foot 4 inches (135 cm), you must put them in a specific car seat. Children who are taller than 135 cm may use a booster seat with the seat belt fastened.

Toll Roads / additional costs

Austria, France , Italy and Swizterland have toll system, so remember to budget for the extra costs as this can make quite a difference to your wallet.

Abroad for Less than 12 months :-

You should take your vehicle log book (V5C) with you if you’re taking your vehicle abroad for less than 12 months. You may have to show it if you’re stopped at a port or while driving abroad by police / border controls.

Make sure your V5C has your current addreess.

You can apply in advance if you need to get a V5C or update your V5C before you travel. Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19) it may take longer than usual to process.

UK law still applies to a UK-registered vehicle if you take it abroad for less than 12 months. That means you need to make sure:

  • your vehicle is taxed in the UK while it’s abroad
  • you have a current MOT
  • you have insurance

You’ll also need to make sure you meet any international or national conditions for licensing and taxation.

Bringing your vehicle back untaxed

If you bring your vehicle back to the UK untaxed you cannot drive it back into the UK – it’ll have to be transported and a SORN (Statutory Off Road Notification) must be made straight away.

Safety

Always wear your seatbelt whilst driving.