First, check the gov.uk website for your specific country. They have a handy tool that tells you exactly what you need.
Second, buy your IDP before you travel. You can get them at the Post Office or online (but give yourself a few weeks for delivery).
Third, pack your documents in a ziplock bag. Keep it with your passport. Treat it like your phone—check you have it every time you leave the car.
One more thing: your insurance green card
Most UK insurers no longer require a physical green card for EU travel, but some do. Always check with your insurer before you go.
Print it anyway, just in case. A piece of paper is cheap insurance against a roadside argument in a language you barely speak.
Driving abroad should be about freedom, sunsets, and unexpected cafés. Not about worrying if your paperwork is in order. Get it sorted now, and the open road is all yours.
