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Important information about driving in Europe

Mobile phones

If you contact us from your mobile phone, your service provider may charge you. You may also have to pay for the call if you ask someone to call you back. Your policy does not cover the cost of these calls. It may be necessary to use a conventional landline phone in certain places if the mobile network is less stable than in the UK.

Vehicle registration document/V5

You will need to carry the original vehicle registration document when driving in Europe as proof that you are the owner of the vehicle. If this is not available, you will need to take a letter of authority from the owner and a Vehicle on Hire Certificate (VE103) instead.

Driving licence

Car hire companies will want to see your original driving licence. If you hold a photocard licence you will need to take the paper counterpart as well. In some countries you will need to take an International Driving Permit as well as your driving licence. This is not required in EU Member States.

Credit card

A credit card must be available if the car hire benefit is used, as the car hire company will need to swipe the card as security.

European motorways and autoroutes

If you break down on a motorway or major public highway in certain parts of Europe (France, for instance), the emergency telephone will be answered by the police. They will then send a local recovery vehicle out to you. As very few of these recovery agents have links with UK motoring organisations, you may have to pay for this assistance on the spot. If you do, keep all receipts and send them to us on your return to the UK, we will then reimburse you for recovery and roadside repairs (except spare parts). If the repair is made in a garage, the cost is not covered and you should pay the whole cost of the repair.