Travelling in Europe?

[hobson]

I got this off the AA website whilst looking at the International Drivers Permit, and i know there's been a lot of questions about legalities of driving in Europe on the forum, so thought this might be helpful:

[Stopover]

I got this off the AA website whilst looking at the International Drivers Permit, and i know there's been a lot of questions about legalities of driving in Europe on the forum, so thought this might be helpful:

That is very helpful as I am off soon. Didn't realise that you had to carry the Original Reg Document for so many countries. What is the car is stolen its a useful thing for the theif to have I would have thought?

[hobson]

I don't think so, whenever we've been pulled it's been for a spot check and the first things the officer has asked for are Passport and Vehicle documents.

If the passport and vehicle details don't match you can expect to be there for a long time.

i know in spain if the car is registered to someone other than who is driving it you're supposed to have a letter from the owner to confirm you are permitted to drive it.

i'd rather take them as they can give you an on-the-spot fine for not having the correct paperwork in most countries.

[keithjh]

That is very helpful as I am off soon. Didn't realise that you had to carry the Original Reg Document for so many countries. What is the car is stolen its a useful thing for the theif to have I would have thought?

Been stopped in Germany and the first thing they wanted was the vehicle docs, one of the vehicles with us did not have the origonal V5 and he was fined 200euros on the spot, so carry them. Also if you go out of the EU you will be asked for them at most if not all borders, certainly Bosnia and beyond want them.

while i remember if you are in Germany make sure your tyres have M&S on them or you will need to carry snow chains at this time of year

Regards

Keith

[GBMUD]

I was in an accident in France a couple of years ago and was glad to have all my documents to hand and in order. The cop gave them a quick inspection and was quite happy. A couple of years before that a friend of mine had a little bump but had no paperwork - though was all UK legal. Fortunately the police did not attend, at least not before we departed, as he had no documents with him and it was suggested that he might see the inside of a jail cell till it was sorted out. If you are concerned about security, do not leave the paperwork in your car.

Chris

[hobson]

My wife and i have decided to get a duplicate set of documents (V5, mot, cover note) before we go back out, that way we can leave it with family who will post it straight out on 24 hour delivery should it get lost or anything go wrong.

that way will be a lot quicker than waiting for something to happen then phoning the dvla etc etc.

i know it's easier and cheaper to take photocopies, but most places will only accept originals.

i think a duplicate mot is about a tenner, insurance should be free, and V5 isn't a lot IIRC.

We always keep the vehicle documents in a safe place in the vehicle and the passports and licenses on our person.

Better safe than sorry (especially in sorry in a cell!)

just checked, a duplicate V5 is £25, so not cheap! but worth thinking about.

[MrKev]

Indeed it's an offence not to carry the docs in the UK too, though there doesn't appear to be a direct penalty!

Over here the wording is that if you fail to produce the docs when requested by a police officer, then you're liabale for a summons, followed by a fine/points/imprisonment unless you produce them within 7 days at a nominated police station.

I carry my docs on the continent, but not in the UK, as it's a lot easier to nip down the cop shop within a week where they speak English, than face a right jolly whipping from a Flic in france or whatever they choose to do!

[MrKev]

I should add: I've heard stories of French police taking a disliking (for whatever reason) and making people get out on an Autoroute, then fining them for not wearing the high-vis jacket.

So, keep it in the glove box, and not in the boot, then you can put it on before getting out!

[plasticbadger]

I doing a reasonable amount of towing in Europe, particularily France, Belgium, Holland and Germany. I always carry original V5, MoT, Insurance, a letter from the vehicle owner if it's not mine, docs relating to whatever I'm towing (V5 if it's a car, Builders Certificate if it's a boat) and also keep the Hi-vis and triangle behind my seat and easy to hand.

As said above the French Gendamerie can be pretty difficult in the wrong situation so it really helps to have the right paperwork and equipment. Just last week I flattened a roadside bollard in France while negotiating some road works towing a 33 foot boat - could of got pretty nasty if anything was amiss, but just ended in an appology from the workmen and a wave on my way from the Fuzz.

[cipx2]

My wife and i have decided to get a duplicate set of documents (V5, mot, cover note) before we go back out, that way we can leave it with family who will post it straight out on 24 hour delivery should it get lost or anything go wrong.

that way will be a lot quicker than waiting for something to happen then phoning the dvla etc etc.

i know it's easier and cheaper to take photocopies, but most places will only accept originals.

i think a duplicate mot is about a tenner, insurance should be free, and V5 isn't a lot IIRC.

I don't think that's legal i.e to have two valid copies of an identity/proof of ownership document (person, vehicle, boat etc).

Upon ordering a V5 duplicate you'll have to declare the old one lost/damaged/etc and DVLA will void it (see question #3 on the application form). So you'll have to lie and the old V5 serial number will be marked as "lost" in their database.

Everybody would love to have a couple of extra passports, driving licenses etc buts that's not legally possible.

[hobson]

You're dead right there, had a look into it properly this afternoon, you can get a duplicate MOT and covernote but you can't legally have two V5's.

that being the case, i'll still get a photocopy and keep it with family in case it's needed quickly.

i remember being reaaly unhappy when i found out that all the vehicle and driver details were instantly on the police national computer, "bloody big brother etc etc' but now i think it's great, saves a lot of time and messing about when you get a pull as they know straight away whats what.

still, i hate paperwork!