Taking Vehicle Abroad

TheBigBad

Do you need the V5 in order to take a car out of the UK?

My friend drives a car which is registered to me (I did the finance for him) and he wants to drive to France in it but I cannot find the V5 anywhere.

Gloomendoom

As far as I am aware, he will need the V5 and also written authority from you to drive the car.

TheBigBad

He's decided to go tomorrow - hes very impulsive.

So wont he be able to leave the country at all without the V5?

tykesi

He'll be able to leave and may not actually need it on his trip but you'll find a lot of European countries require the original document to be carried. Unless there's an incident where the authorities require it I can't see it being an issue. I've never had to produce mine on a few trips to the continent.

alderpoint

In 30 years of driving across Europe no-one has ever asked for a V5. But you are supposed to have it with you, as well as your MOT certificate, insurance docs, and driving licence - never been asked for any of them either.

WellKnownSid

In my experience, routine stops are less likely in France than, say, Spain - where you can even get stopped by an officer pointing a machine gun (had that happen 4-5 times) as well as the local boys who will just flag you down (probably 3 or 4 times).

If you are stopped routinely you may be asked for your licence and/or V5 and/or hire car paperwork and/or insurance docs and/or MoT, and/or medical certificates etc, etc. They may simply want to look in your boot for drugs, weapons or people who shouldn't be there.

If you have an accident you'll be asked for everything

MEM62

We lease our cars at work and don't have the V5's. I drive on the continent regularly and I carry a letter of authority from the leasing company. I have been subject to checks a couple of times and have not had any issues with it so far - which is surprising as it is only written in English.

Apparently this is the usual thing for cars that are not registered in your name.

Chrishazle

It's not just car docs required in France - it's the hi-vis jackets (inside the car, not in the boot), 2 alcohol testers, warning triangle. OK, so far I've taken a car to France many times and never been stopped, but the French police have a reputation for not liking UK cars!

Iceweasel

Oh yes - don't forget the breathalyser kits. :rotfl:

French law says you must have have them.

But there is no penalty whatsoever for not having them.

Only in France can you have rules like that.

I'm surprised that this thread has reached 8 posts and no-one has yet mentioned headlight beam deflectors - almost as necessary as the breathalyser kits.

knightstyle

We have been stopped near La Rochelle, Police and customs looked around and in the car.
Yes you need proof of ownership or owners permission plus insurance, hi-vis waistcoat with CE label, spare bulb kit and GB sticker. The headlamps must comply with French antidazzle rules either with stick on deflectors or using the car adjustment.
You do not need breathalysers.
The waistcoat must be in reach of the driver which is why most French drivers have them on the back of the drivers seat.
It is also a good idea to have a european accident form.

forgotmyname

Iceweasel wrote: »

Oh yes - don't forget the breathalyser kits. :rotfl:

French law says you must have have them.

But there is no penalty whatsoever for not having them.

Only in France can you have rules like that.

I'm surprised that this thread has reached 8 posts and no-one has yet mentioned headlight beam deflectors - almost as necessary as the breathalyser kits.

So the penalty for not having the must have breathalyser kit is they will tell you that you must have one? :T