Driving abroad

Driving abroad: what to check before a road trip

Every country, and often every state, province or city, sets its own driving rules. Before a campervan, motorhome or car road trip, these are the areas worth checking.

General information only, not legal advice. Rules change and can differ by region and vehicle: always check the official source and follow road signs on the day.

The checks that matter

• Licence and International Driving Permit: whether your licence is accepted, for how long, and whether you need a permit or translation. This can differ by state or province.
• Insurance and vehicle documents: cover for every country you drive through, and the papers for your own or a hired vehicle.
• Low-emission and restricted zones: many cities charge or require a sticker, and rules are set locally.
• Tolls and vignettes: some roads charge by camera, some by booth, some need a sticker or pass before you drive.
• Speed limits: often lower for heavier motorhomes and when towing.
• Mandatory equipment: such as warning devices and high-visibility vests.
• Overnight parking and camping: where a campervan or motorhome may stop overnight is often decided locally.
• Cross-border and rental: whether a hire vehicle may leave the country, and what the rental company covers.

Country notes

Our country notes are being reviewed against official government and transport-authority sources, and will be published here once FieldGuide has approved them.

Every road trip we plan includes these checks for your own countries, regions and vehicle, researched by hand.