Road Trips
European Road Trip Checklist
Documents, equipment and road charges to confirm before a multi-country drive, in the order most people need them.
6 min read · Updated
Before you book
Confirm which countries you will cross and how each of them charges for road use.
- Driving licence and vehicle registration document
- Insurance cover valid in every country on the route
- Confirmation of any rental agreement conditions on cross-border travel
Equipment requirements
Mandatory equipment differs by country and by season. Winter equipment rules in alpine countries often apply on calendar dates rather than on the weather.
- Warning triangle and high-visibility vest
- Winter tyres or chains where seasonally required
- Headlamp adjustment for right-hand-drive vehicles
Road charges
Work through the route country by country and note where a vignette is needed, where tolls are collected at a barrier and where separate structures apply.
On the road
Keep confirmation emails accessible offline and note the plate exactly as registered, in case of a roadside check.