Legal Considerations

Each EU country has its own rules for drivers. You should follow these rules if you wish to remain covered while driving abroad. If you do not comply with the local law in a foreign country your car insurance may be invalidated. In addition, if you are convicted of a driving offence abroad, you must declare it to your UK car insurance provider.

For example, the following legal conditions apply in some EU countries:

• you must be 18 years of age to drive
• you must carry a warning triangle and fire extinguisher at all times
• you must display a Great Britain (GB) sticker
• you must 'convert' your headlights if you drive on the right-hand side of the road
• you must apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP)

The International Driving Permit (IDP) is a formal document that translates the details of your driving licence into multiple languages, so that foreign authorities recognise your entitlement to drive. IDPs are issued by the Automobile Association (AA), Royal Automobile Club (RAC), the RSAC and the Green Flag Motoring Assistance Recovery Club, and are valid for one year. You should make application enquires to these organisations if you require an IDP for your destination.