Using brother's car to drive in Europe

[Talk2Dave]

Hi guys,
I'm currently planning to do a quick European tour for a week when I come back to the UK, in which I will be borrowing my brothers car. I live in Australia so have no car in the UK. I will be getting my own full comp insurance with European cover on the car, but the V5 is obviously in his name, will I be OK crossing borders? What paperwork should I be bringing?
Thanks, Dave

[marshalla]

The only real border checks you'll encounter will be at the UK frontier. Other than that, it would be worth having a letter from your brother which formally authorises you to use the car and take it out of the UK, just in case you get stopped.

You should have V5C, proof of insurance and possibly MOT certificate. Take photocopies as well to reduce the chances of originals being taken/lost if you do get stopped.

[d8mok]

Slightly off topic- I'm going to France in my company car in October. Should i be taking the V5c , and a letter from employer to say i can use the car abroad?

[marshalla]

d8mok said:

Slightly off topic- I'm going to France in my company car in October. Should i be taking the V5c , and a letter from employer to say i can use the car abroad?

The AA says Yes : http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/overseas/gene...

[Magic919]

I carry the V5 with me, but have never produced it at any borders in Europe.

[PositronicRay]

Magic919 said:

I carry the V5 with me, but have never produced it at any borders in Europe.

You may get asked to produce it if you have an accident, or other contact with the police.

I've had both the above but not asked for it. I take a photo copy just in case.

[anonymous-user]

I got stopped last November in a French hire car leaving Switzerland for Germany, French plates British passport got them going no big problem but a few minutes to sort out paperwork so it does happen, they did not like my Malaysian driving license and that took half hour to sort out, carry the right paperwork

[Hugo a Gogo]

years ago I got stopped driving a Dutch car in Germany with an Irish driving licence and UK passport

they seemed most confused by the address in Ireland having no street, no number, no postcode... "how does ze postman find ze house?"

[Nimby]

There are still country-specific requirements even in EU member countries; for example in Spain you're supposed to carry two warning triangles. Also check for the widely differing regs on hi-vis vests, spare light bulbs, first aid kits, fire extinguishers etc on the AA or RAC websites.

[audidoody]

d8mok said:

Slightly off topic- I'm going to France in my company car in October. Should i be taking the V5c , and a letter from employer to say i can use the car abroad?

If it's a leased car you'll need a VOH certificate from the legal owner which is probably the finance company. You need one certificate for each named driver. They are about £12 each and are valid for a year.

http://www.rac.co.uk/driving-abroad/vehicle-on-hir...

[d8mok]

thanks for the help guys,

No its not a lease car , its simply owned by the company i work for. I've obtained a letter to say i can take the car abroad from the directors, and i can take the v5c which shows them as the owner so should all be good.