Can i drive abroad

If you're looking for car insurance, bear in mind your UK policy may protect you when driving abroad in the EU, the EEC and Switzerland, but this may only be third-party only cover. Some UK insurance policies allow you to drive abroad, but check with your provider to find out exactly what they will cover outside the UK. Before leaving, let your insurer know you are travelling overseas. If you go for more than a week it is probably best to let your insurer know. Sometimes, insurers will cover theft but not damages, so this means your car will not be covered for damages, or any expenses for personal injuries sustained.

Many insurers will extend comprehensive cover to Europe but for limited periods. You need to check with your insurer or specify that you want European cover when searching for quotes. If you want more comprehensive European car insurance with extras such as breakdown cover, speak to your provider about an upgrade.

Third-party only insurance will not cover damage to your own car or your medical expenses. Third-party damage, fire and theft insurance also covers you for arson and if things are stolen from your car. The RAC also recommends the following equipment when driving abroad. Compare car insurance end of call to action. This is useful and can also include accommodation costs and or a courtesy car if your car needs to spend several days in a garage being repaired.

It can also cover the cost bringing your car back from another country. Some insurance policies include European breakdown cover as standard. Hiring a car is another great way to explore a new country. You may want to take out excess insurance to pay off the excess if you do have an accident.

The paper driving licence counterpart was abolished on 8 June , since then this information has been stored electronically by the DVLA. If you're borrowing a car for a trip abroad or you want to share the driving on a trip with friends or family, you can ask the car's owner to add you as a named driver on their insurance policy.

This may not be the best or cheapest option if you only plan to drive their car on a one-off basis. Check the restrictions — as this type of cover is usually only third party and may exclude driving outside of the UK. If you are only planning on borrowing a car you can also compare quotes for short-term or temporary car insurance. Temporary car insurance is often the best option when sharing or borrowing a car to drive abroad.

This can cover you to drive someone else's car for days, and some policies offer the choice of cover within the EU. Different countries have their own rules on how to ensure children travel safely — so before you leave check what individual country requirements are. Alcohol rules tend to be stricter for driving abroad than they are here. Home News. Check My Expiry Date. Driving Abroad.

Click here to check the expiry and renewal date of your licence or permit Driving Licence Extensions Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD announced on the 2 July details of a further month extension to the validity period of Driving Licences in response to the level 5 restrictions due to the Covid pandemic.

Any licence holder, who has not already renewed and whose licence expiry date is between 1 July and 31 October will have ten months added to their expiry date. This is in addition to previous extensions granted as set out below; Licences which expired between 1 March and 31 May were extended to 1 July These licences are now due for renewal now.

Any licence holder, who has not already renewed, and whose licence expired between 1 June and 31 August will have thirteen months added to their expiry date. Learner Permit Extensions Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Hildegarde Naughton TD announced on the 24 June details of a further month extension to the validity period of learner permits in response to the level 5 restrictions due to the Covid pandemic.

If your learner permit is expiring between 1 November and 31 July your expiry date is being extended by 10 months. This is in addition to previous extensions granted as set out below; If your learner permit expired between 1 March and 30 June your expiry date was extended by 18 months in total.

International Driving Permits. Who can apply for an IDP? Where can I use an IDP? How can I apply for an IDP? Copy of your current valid Irish drivers licence front and back. Irish licence holders taking up residence abroad. Irish licence holders taking up residence abroad A learner permit is not valid to drive or exchange in Northern Ireland or any other country outside Ireland. Where an Irish licence holder takes up residence in another EU country or European Economic Area EEA member state they can drive on their existing Irish driving licence as long as it is current and valid.

They can also exchange it at any time in that country and within 10 years of its expiry. Where an Irish licence holder takes up residence in the United Kingdom they can drive on their current Irish driving licence until 31 December After this date new rules will apply. Canadian Provinces Each Canadian province exchange agreement with Ireland is individual. Ontario, Canada. Ontario, Canada A licence exchange agreement between Ireland and Ontario allows Irish licence holders to exchange their car driving licence for a category G or G1 as appropriate in Ontario.

Manitoba, Canada. Alberta, Canada. British Columbia, Canada. To help us improve GOV. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Cookies on GOV. UK We use some essential cookies to make this website work. Accept additional cookies Reject additional cookies View cookies. Hide this message. Part of Drive abroad: step by step. Driving abroad. Driving abroad on holiday You need to take your Great Britain or Northern Ireland driving licence with you to drive abroad.

Check the overseas driving rules Make sure you follow overseas driving rules, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. Check the travel advice for all countries.

You may need to carry a green card to drive in other countries, including: Albania Azerbaijan Belarus Iran Israel Moldova Morocco Russia Tunisia Turkey Ukraine Towing your trailer or caravan abroad Check if you need to register your trailer before you can take it abroad. Hiring a car abroad Your hire company may ask to see your driving licence information when you pick up the car.

Print entire guide. Step 1 : Check where you can use your licence. You are currently viewing: Check the rules for using your driving licence abroad You may need an international driving permit IDP to drive outside the UK.