- You can travel abroad for up to 90 days within a 12-month period
Get your VE103 certificate from the RAC before you travel - at least three weeks ahead
A £22 admin fee applies to VE103 certificates ordered on or after 1st July 2026
You must display a UK sticker on the back of your vehicle
Check the driving rules for every country on your route before you set off
A European road trip is one of the great freedoms of driving - your route, your stops, your pace.
As a Motability Scheme driver, you can take your vehicle abroad. You just need to know the rules before you go.
This guide covers everything: permissions, paperwork, vehicle checks, and the rules of the road abroad.
How long can you stay abroad?
You can take your Motability Scheme vehicle abroad for up to 90 days in total within a 12-month period.
This covers multiple trips - the 90 days do not have to be taken at once.
If you want to stay longer, contact Motability's customer services team on 0300 456 4566 at least three weeks before you travel.
They'll confirm in writing whether an extension is possible. Note that additional insurance charges may apply.
Scooter and powered wheelchair customers: your limit is 30 days within a 12-month period. Breakdown cover and legal expenses cover do not apply abroad for these products. Call 0300 456 4566 if you need to travel longer.
Where can you travel?
Your Motability Scheme vehicle is covered for travel within:
All European Union (EU) countries
Norway
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Iceland
If you live in Northern Ireland, you also need a VE103 certificate to travel to the Republic of Ireland, regardless of trip length.
Essential documents to take with you
1. VE103 Certificate
Because you are not the registered owner of your Motability Scheme vehicle, you need a VE103 certificate to prove you have permission to take it outside the UK.
Call the RAC on 0800 731 3310 at least three weeks before you travel.
The RAC will explain your breakdown cover and issue the certificate. The VE103 lasts for 12 months and covers all trips within that period.
Important: a £22 admin fee applies to VE103 certificates ordered on or after 1st July 2026. If your lease or order was placed before this date, the fee does not affect you.
Do not travel without arranging your VE103 first - failing to do so could affect your eligibility to continue your lease.
2. Your UK Driving Licence
Take your valid UK photocard driving licence. Check it has not expired before you travel - you can renew it online at gov.uk.
If your licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, or if you hold a paper licence, you will also need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
3. International Driving Permit (IDP)
Most European countries do not require an IDP for UK licence holders, but requirements vary. Check the rules for every country on your route before you go.
If you need one, IDPs are available in person from selected shops with PayPoint. You may need a separate permit for each country you visit.
Check the full requirements at gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit.
4. Motor Insurance Certificate
Take your motor insurance certificate with you. A Green Card is no longer required for travel within the European Economic Area (EEA), which covers EU countries plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway. You also do not need one for Switzerland.
Check your policy to confirm the level of cover provided abroad - some insurers only provide third-party cover outside the UK.
5. UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)
A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) gives you access to state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in EU countries. Apply for one free of charge at nhs.uk before you travel.
Note that a GHIC is not a replacement for travel insurance - always take out a separate travel insurance policy as well.
6. Crit'Air sticker (France)
Travelling to France? You'll need a Crit'Air emissions sticker to drive in many French cities and low emission zones. Apply before you leave - they can take several weeks to arrive.
Some other European cities operate similar schemes. Check the requirements for your destination before you travel.
Displaying a UK sticker
You must display a UK sticker on the rear of your vehicle before travelling abroad.
This applies even if your number plate already features a Union flag with a GB identifier - in some countries, including Spain, Cyprus, and Malta, a separate UK sticker is still required regardless.
UK stickers are available online, at garages, and at Post Office branches.
Prepare your vehicle
A few checks before you leave can make a real difference on a long trip.
Headlight beam converters: your headlights are set for driving on the left. Fit beam converter stickers before entering countries where you drive on the right to avoid dazzling oncoming drivers
Tyres: check condition, pressure, and tread depth before you go. The minimum legal tread depth across most of Europe is 1.6mm, but replace tyres before they reach 3mm if you have a long journey ahead
Fluids: check oil, coolant, and screen wash. If your vehicle uses AdBlue, carry a top-up can for longer trips
Warning triangle and reflective jacket: many countries require you to carry both and to wear the jacket whenever you exit the vehicle in an emergency. Carry at least one jacket within reach of the driver
Spare glasses: if you need glasses to drive, take a spare pair
For a full pre-trip checklist, read our guide to preparing your car for a European road trip.
Know the rules of the road
Most of continental Europe drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Speed limits, drink-drive thresholds, and equipment requirements all vary by country. Research the rules for every country on your route - not just your destination.
Always cross-check with the UK government's foreign travel advice.
If there is an accident abroad
Stay calm. The European emergency number is 112 and works across all EU countries.
Steps to take at the scene:
- Call 112 if anyone is injured or you need police assistance
- Exchange details with the other driver
- If the other vehicle is a lorry, photograph both front and rear registration plates - they can differ
- Photograph the scene and any damage before vehicles are moved
- Contact the RAC on +44 (0)800 731 3310 if you need roadside assistance
You cannot claim for legal expenses while abroad on a Motability Scheme vehicle.
Useful numbers to save before you go
Contact | Number |
RAC Motability Assist (UK) | 0800 731 3310 |
RAC Motability Assist (from abroad) | +44 (0)800 731 3310 |
Motability customer services | 0300 456 4566 |
European emergency services | 112 |
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