Before you take your car abroad, you should check that you have:
• all equipment (eg warning triangles and reflective vests) that you are required to carry in your car according to the laws of the country(ies) you are visiting or driving through
• car insurance that covers you to drive in Europe (you will need to tell your insurer where and when you travelling)
• an insurance green card (ask your insurer for this; they may levy a fee and your request may take up to six weeks to process)
• breakdown cover while you are abroad
Most people with a card-style UK driving licence can use it as normal in Europe. However, if you have a UK paper licence or if your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or Isle of Man, depending on which countries you are visiting (including any you are transiting through), you may need to apply for at least one type, but possibly both types, of International Driving Permit (see
www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit).
Besides your insurance documents and driving licences/permits, you should also take your vehicle registration documents (V5) with you, and display a GB sticker on the rear of your car if it does not have a GB indicator on the number plate (if you are driving your car in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you will need a sticker regardless of what is on your number plate).