12/05/2026
Planning on driving to 🇪🇺 Europe?
Whether you’re travelling via the Eurotunnel or catching a ferry, a little preparation goes a long way.
📋 Here’s a simple checklist
First - The Legal Essentials
• Insurance: Check you’re fully covered to drive abroad. Don’t worry, European cover is often inexpensive to add.
• Remember to take your driving licence, passport, insurance certificate and the V5C (log book).
⚠️ EU requirements:
Laws vary slightly by country, but our European Travel Kit is a great starting point to keep you safe and compliant.
https://shop.ringautomotive.com/european-travel-kit.html
• Display a UK sticker (not GB) if your vehicle does not have a UK identifier on the number plate.
• High visibility vests for each passenger. In France, these must be kept inside the car (not in the boot).
• In Spain, you are required to carry a 🚨DGT-approved V-16 emergency beacon.
A breakdown abroad can quickly turn into a nightmare, so make sure your car is in good working condition. Sounds obvious, but if it’s making a funny noise, or something doesn’t feel right, get it checked out before you leave.
• Ideally, have it serviced before travelling, at a minimum, check oil, coolant, windscreen washer fluid and tyre pressures.
• Check the boot: We would always recommend you have a 🛞 spare tyre. If you have tyre sealant (and a compressor), make sure the sealant is not out of date and the compressor works.
• Consider taking a ⚡️Jump Starter – It will give you peace of mind and save you so much time and hassle if you do get a flat battery.
• Breakdown cover: Strongly consider European breakdown assistance. You can get short term cover for the duration of your trip.
Other stuff
• Clean Air / Low Emission permits: Many major European cities require them; check online before you travel. In France, it’s called Crit’Air – check if you need it, if you do, you can register for it online before you travel.
https://www.certificat-air.gouv.fr
If you are driving abroad this summer, let us know in the comments where you’re going.