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Documents checklist: driving licence, green card, and vignettes
A thorough check of your documents checklist – driving licence, green card, and vignettes – is the foundation for a relaxing car holiday in Europe. Correctly and timely arranging your paperwork prevents unexpected fines and delays at border controls or police checks. Read on to discover exactly which documents you need, where to apply for them, and what the rules are per country.
\n\nYour driving licence and vehicle registration certificate: the essentials in order
\n\n\n\nThe first step in your preparation is checking the most obvious documents: your driving licence and your car’s vehicle registration certificate. Ensure that both documents are valid for your entire travel period. A Dutch driving licence is valid in all European Union (EU) countries and most other European countries. Your vehicle registration certificate is also accepted within the EU without any issues.
\n\n\n\nHowever, there are situations where we recommend an International Driving Permit (IDP) or where it’s even mandatory. This is a translation of your national driving licence and can be easily applied for at the ANWB (Dutch Automobile Association). Outside the EU, for example in Albania or Turkey, an IDP is often compulsory. Although Switzerland is not an EU member, it recognises a Dutch driving licence. Always check the specific requirements of the countries you are visiting or passing through before departure.
\n\n\n\n\n‘ In some countries, the green card is indeed mandatory. ’
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The green card: your proof of insurance for abroad
\n\n\n\nThe green card is the international insurance certificate proving that your car has at least third-party liability insurance. Although the card is no longer compulsory within the EU and countries like Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland (your number plate serves as proof), it is strongly advisable to still carry it with you. In the event of an accident or police check, presenting the green card significantly simplifies communication.
\n\n\n\nIn some countries, the green card is indeed mandatory. Think of Balkan countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Albania. Check with your insurer whether your policy provides cover in these countries. Most insurers no longer send the green card by post as standard, but you can easily download it digitally. To be safe, it’s wise to keep a printed version in your glove compartment, as not every foreign official accepts a digital version.
\n\nVignettes and environmental stickers: the rules per country
\n\n\n\nMany European countries levy tolls for the use of their motorways. This often happens via a vignette: a sticker you place on your windscreen or a digital registration of your number plate. Without a valid vignette, you risk high fines. Environmental stickers are another type of proof; they indicate how polluting your car is and whether you are allowed to drive in certain city centres (environmental zones). These two systems exist side by side and are not interchangeable.
\n\n\n\nVignettes for Austria and Switzerland
\n\n\n\nFor a road trip to or through Austria, a vignette is mandatory on almost all motorways (Autobahnen and Schnellstraßen). You can choose between a sticker or a digital vignette linked to your number plate. A digital vignette can be easily purchased online via the official Austrian road operator ASFINAG. Please note that a vignette purchased online for consumers is only valid after 18 days. Do you need it sooner? Then buy it at a petrol station just before the border.
\n\n\n\nSwitzerland uses a physical vignette that is valid for an entire calendar year. There are no vignettes available for shorter periods. The vignette is mandatory for all motorways and can be purchased at petrol stations and border crossings. Affix the sticker to the inside of your windscreen according to the instructions, as an incorrectly placed sticker is considered invalid.
\n\n\n\nDigital vignettes in Eastern Europe
\n\n\n\nMore and more countries in Eastern Europe are switching to a fully digital vignette. This makes preparation much easier. For countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, and Slovenia, you can purchase the vignette online in advance via the official websites. You register your number plate, choose the desired validity period, and pay online. You will receive a confirmation by email, and your number plate will be entered into a central database. Checks are carried out by roadside cameras that scan your number plate.
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- Czech Republic: Purchase via edalnice.cz. \n\n\n\n
- Slovakia: Purchase via eznamka.sk. \n\n\n\n
- Hungary: Purchase via ematrica.nemzetiutdij.hu. \n\n\n\n
- Slovenia: Purchase via evinjeta.dars.si. \n
Environmental stickers in Germany and France
\n\n\n\nMany German cities have an ‘Umweltzone’ (environmental zone) where you are only permitted to drive with a valid environmental sticker. The colour of the sticker (green, yellow, or red) depends on your vehicle’s emissions. Most modern cars qualify for a green sticker. Order the sticker well in advance online to ensure you receive it in time.
\n\n\n\nIn France, a similar system applies with the Crit’Air sticker. This is mandatory in a growing number of cities and departments, sometimes permanently and sometimes only during periods of severe air pollution. Order the sticker only via the official French government website. It’s a small effort that will save you a hefty fine.
\n\nThe complete checklist before departure
\n\n\n\nGood preparation ensures peace of mind on the road. Before you depart, check that you have the following documents to hand. Keep them in a logical and safe place in your car, such as the glove compartment.
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- A valid driving licence (and possibly an International Driving Permit). \n\n\n\n
- The complete vehicle registration certificate. \n\n\n\n
- The green card (digital on your phone and a printed version). \n\n\n\n
- Vignettes and environmental stickers (correctly applied or digitally linked to your number plate). \n\n\n\n
- The policy number or card for your breakdown assistance insurance with European cover. \n\n\n\n
- A European accident statement form. \n
With a complete document folder, you can start your journey with full confidence. The anticipation for your holiday doesn’t stop here. On the Traveler Tips website, you’ll find many more practical articles about the most beautiful driving routes, smart car packing tips, and the specific traffic rules in your holiday country. Discover more and make your next road trip a well-organised and unforgettable experience.
\n\nFrequently asked questions
\n\n\nTo determine if an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required, it depends on the countries on your road trip route. Within the EU/EEA, your national driving licence is usually sufficient, but an IDP is recommended for non-EU countries and in Southern Europe. Countries such as Switzerland, France (for non-EU driving licences), and Italy (for non-EU driving licences) may require an IDP. Apply for an IDP at the ANWB; it costs approximately €25 and is valid for 3 years.
\n\nThe green card is not mandatory in EU/EEA countries, where the number plate often suffices as proof of insurance. However, outside the EU/EEA, such as in Albania, Bosnia, Morocco, Turkey, Ukraine, and Serbia, the document is compulsory. Although the digital version has been accepted since 2021, travellers in the Balkans are advised to always print a physical green card, as app screenshots are sometimes not recognised. Therefore, for travel to Balkan countries, a printed version is recommended to avoid problems.
\n\nTo find out which vignettes you need, you can use apps like ViaMichelin or Park4Night for route planning with toll information, or consult the specific websites of the toll authorities per country, such as ASFINAG.at for Austria or DARS.si for Slovenia. These vignettes are best purchased online in advance via the official websites or at petrol stations just before the border. This saves time and hassle on the spot and prevents fines that can amount to up to €800. Please note: France and Italy use toll per kilometre, not vignettes.
\n\nThe validity of your driving licence is crucial; in the EU, it is valid for a maximum of 15 years, and a digital driving licence will become standard from 2030. For non-EU countries, and sometimes in Southern Europe, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is highly recommended. The green card is mandatory in some non-EU countries, even though your number plate often suffices within the EU. Purchase vignettes for toll roads online in advance or at petrol stations to avoid fines, and pay attention to country-specific requirements for both vignettes and driving licences.
\n\nYes, more and more digital alternatives are becoming available, such as the digital green card, which is accepted in most EU/EEA countries, and digital vignettes for various motorways in countries like Austria and Slovenia. However, their validity is not universal; in non-EU countries like those in the Balkans, a physical green card is often still mandatory. There are also country-specific differences for vignettes, with some countries (such as Switzerland) still requiring a physical sticker, and digital versions sometimes causing problems in mountainous areas. It is therefore advisable to check the current requirements for specific travel destinations and potentially carry a physical backup.
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