Traveling abroad by car requires preliminary preparation, as this is one of the key aspects that helps to avoid unforeseen problems and expenses. We tell you everything about planning a trip abroad by car, the necessary documents and other important nuances

Insurance policy Green card for traveling abroad by car

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Any business trip or dream vacation abroad should start with preliminary preparation. And no matter how much you may want to go on a spontaneous trip by car, traveling abroad requires careful planning.

So, how to prepare a car for a trip, what should be in it, and what documents are required to leave Ukraine - we will tell you further in the article.

What documents are needed to leave Ukraine by car?

If you are planning to travel abroad by your own car, you need to have:

1. A foreign passport (valid for at least six months from the date of your planned return). 

2. Driver's license (must be valid and comply with international standards; the current model of a national driver's license on a plastic card is trilingual and valid throughout Europe; if necessary, you can additionally obtain an international driver's license at the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs)

3. Vehicle registration certificate (issued in the name of the driver or passenger).

 4. Identification mark of Ukraine on the car (UA sticker is not required if the symbols are indicated on the license plate).

5. International insurance policy "Green Card" for the car.

6. Travel/health insurance policy.

In some cases, a visa may be required if the country does not have a visa-free regime. You can find out if you need a visa for a particular country on the Visit Ukraine portal. Follow the link and select the country of destination to check the current border crossing rules.

In addition, if you are traveling abroad with a loan car, you need to obtain a certificate from your bank to allow you to take the car abroad.

If you are planning a family trip, you may also need additional documents:

– read the rules for crossing the border with a child here;

– which of the spouses has the right to travel abroad and what documents are required - here;

– all about traveling with a pet by car and public transport - here.

To find out what documents are required to travel abroad in someone else's car and how to obtain them, please follow the link.

Please note! The Green Card insurance policy is mandatory in 50 countries, including the EU. Without such insurance, the car will not be allowed to cross the border! In addition, the absence or delay of insurance is fraught not only with fines that are several dozen times higher than the cost of the insurance policy for a year, but also with the seizure of the car and deportation from the country with a subsequent ban on entry. You can take out insurance for the required period on our website. Read more about the amount of fines in Europe for not having a Green Card here.

Can I drive a car with individual license plates abroad?

To cross the border, a car must have a state license plate. Any individual license plate containing letters or numbers is valid only on the territory of Ukraine, and you will not be able to drive abroad with a vehicle with such a license plate.

Crossing the border by car: what do border guards check besides documents?

When leaving Ukraine and crossing the border with European countries, border guards may check the following items in the car

– first aid kit (according to the European standard)

– fire extinguisher,

– emergency stop sign (triangle),

–  spare tire,

– reflective vests.

In addition, border checkpoints check the capacity of tinted front side windows and windshields. Read more about the current car tinting regulations in Ukraine and when crossing the border here.

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Preparing for a trip: what should you keep in mind?

We also recommend that you take care in advance that you do not need to change consumables or technical fluids while abroad. After all, a simple oil change can become a serious problem when you are abroad. So, keep in mind that one or two weeks before your trip, you should have your car serviced and checked for technical condition. Also, spare low beam bulbs in the trunk of the car will not be superfluous. This will not only help you avoid a fine abroad, but can also save you from an accident.

By the way, the issue of road safety is another important nuance that must be taken into account before traveling. Therefore, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the algorithm of actions in the event of a traffic accident abroad.

Do not neglect the basic rules of preparation and travel safely and confidently with Visit Ukraine!

We remind you! The advantages of toll roads in EU countries are primarily that they have a better surface and allow you to get to your destination faster. Read about the main differences between toll roads and free roads and how to avoid fines in Europe in our previous article.