European Caravan Laws

You must be 18 years old to drive in France. Whilst you don’t need an International Driving Permit, you do need a valid UK driving licence and insurance. You also need to display a valid GB sticker on the left-hand side of the registration plate of your vehicle. This law came into play in September 2021. 

The maximum motorway speed is 80mph in good weather and 68mph in bad conditions. Drivers are warned not to go over these speeds. Doing so will result in hefty fines and potential confiscation of your vehicle. In France, sat navs that alert you about speed cameras are also illegal and you can be fined €1,500 if you’re found to have one.

In France, you must also carry a warning triangle and a reflective jacket. The jacket must be within arm's reach inside the vehicle. If you are driving in Paris, Lyon, or Grenoble, you might need to display an air pollution sticker too. You can check whether you require one via the French Ministry of Environment. 

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into France for up to six months in any period of 12 months. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (like a passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

From 2nd August 2021, drivers are no longer required to have an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to France.

If you are taking your vehicle abroad, you must take your vehicle logbook with you. If you have leased a motorhome or car, you should carry a VE103 to show you have permission to drive it abroad.

All motorhomes and caravans (not combined with towing vehicle) with a total weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes must have a sticker showing the position of the blind spots, visible on the sides and at the rear of the vehicle. These regulations have been in force since 1st January 2021.

You need to display a UK identifier on the rear of your vehicle when travelling in Europe.

Camper vans and cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed 12 metres in length, and 2.55 metres in width. There are no height restrictions.

Loads on vehicles with two axles must not exceed 19 tonnes. While weights on single axles must not exceed 12 tonnes.

If the weight of a caravan exceeds that of the towing vehicle, special speed limits apply:

• If the excess is less than 30%:    65 km/h
• If the excess is more than 30%:  45 km/h

It is illegal to tow another motor vehicle except in the case of a breakdown or an accident and if the distance to be travelled is short.

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Germany. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence,
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate, and
• V5 registration document

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Germany.   

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Germany. You can take a caravan, camper van or boat trailer into Germany. If the caravan contains expensive or unusual items, an inventory is required. The following dimensions for vehicles with trailers must be followed:

• Height: 4m
• Overall width: 2.55m (1m if towed by motorcycle)
• Overall length: 12m
• Length of car + caravan: 18.75m

When towed by a motorcycle or private car, the fully laden weight of the trailer must not exceed 750kg. Cars towing a caravan must be equipped with two side rear-view mirrors. These may exceed the width of the caravan and must be foldable. Check local speed limits in Germany as they change.

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Spain. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over.  Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Spain for up to six months in any period of 12 months. To stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to the UK.  This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Spain. 

From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Spain. On camper vans or cars with caravans exceeding 12 metres in length, there must be one long or two short reflectors at the rear. This applies to vehicles registered abroad as well as those in Spain. The reflectors can be purchased from car accessory shops from £2.99. 

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Italy. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 16 or over, while moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged 14 or over.  Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International Driving Permits are recognised but not required. 

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Italy for up to 12 months without formality. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Italy.  

The identifier can be incorporated into vehicle number plates (along with the Union Flag) or as a separate sticker. Note that vehicles featuring the letters GB together with the Council of Europe golden stars are no longer valid for driving abroad.

If your vehicle does not have the UK identifier within the number plate, you will require a UK sticker when driving in Italy. GB stickers will no longer be valid from the end of September. From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card for taking their vehicles to Italy.

Camper vans and cars with caravans are not allowed to exceed 12 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width.

Visitors must be aged 18 or over and hold a full, valid driving licence to legally drive in Greece. Riders of motorcycles up to 125cc must be aged 18 or over, while moped (not exceeding 50cc) riders must be aged 16 or over.  Driving licences issued in EU and EEA countries are accepted. International Driving Permits are recognised, but not required.

Vehicles from the UK can be temporarily imported into Greece for up to 6 months without customs documents. In order to stay on the right side of the law, the following documents should always be carried:

• Full, valid UK driving licence
• Proof of ID (passport)
• Motor insurance certificate
• V5 registration document

From 28th September 2021, the distinguishing mark (or national identifier) displayed on vehicles registered in the United Kingdom that are driven abroad will change from GB to UK.  This means that vehicles registered in the UK must display the letters “UK” when driven in Greece. From 2nd August 2021, drivers will no longer require an insurance green card when taking their vehicles to Greece. Cars with caravans or trailers are not allowed to exceed 18 metres in length, 4 metres in height and 2.55 metres in width. 

So, if you are taking your car or caravan over to Europe, make sure you are aware of the rules and regulations. Obeying the rules will ensure you do not end up with fines or your vehicle seized.