HGV Documents for International Haulage

QUICK ANSWER:

UK HGV drivers crossing international borders need six key documents: a valid UK driving licence, Driver CPC card, passport (with at least 6 months validity), tachograph records for the last 28 days, vehicle insurance (with green card where required), and healthcare cover. Missing any of these can result in being turned back at the border.

1. VALID UK DRIVING LICENCE

YOUR DRIVING LICENCE

You must carry your valid UK driving licence at all times. It must have the correct category for the vehicle you're driving.

The good news is that for most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, you do not need an International Driving Permit (IDP) alongside your UK photocard licence.

PAPER LICENCE HOLDERS

If you still have an old-style paper licence, or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey, or the Isle of Man, you may need an IDP. Check with the relevant country's embassy before travelling.

2. DRIVER CPC CARD

CERTIFICATE OF PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE

Also known as a Driver Qualification Card (DQC), this is required to drive lorries professionally in the UK, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

If you work for a UK-registered company, your UK-issued CPC card is recognised across EU countries for international haulage work.

WORKING FOR AN EU COMPANY?

If you're a UK driver employed directly by an EU-based company, your UK CPC card may no longer be recognised. Check with local authorities in the country where the company is based.

3. VALID PASSPORT

YOUR PASSPORT

Required for all drivers, passengers, and crew members. Your passport must meet two critical requirements for Schengen travel.

PASSPORT VALIDITY REQUIREMENTS

• Must have at least 6 months validity remaining on the date you arrive in the EU
• Must have been issued less than 10 years ago (even if it still shows as "valid")

A passport that fails either check will get you turned away at the border. Renewing takes around 3 weeks, so plan ahead.

IRELAND IS DIFFERENT

If you're only travelling to Ireland, your passport just needs to be valid for the duration of your stay. The 6-month and 10-year rules do not apply.

4. TACHOGRAPH RECORDS AND DIGITAL SMART CARD

TACHOGRAPH RECORDS

Required for goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on international journeys. You must carry records covering the current day plus the previous 28 calendar days.

This includes:

• Tachograph charts (analogue) or digital records
• Any manual record entries (for days not covered by the tachograph)
• Your driver's digital smart card if you have one

ANNUAL LEAVE AND SICK DAYS

Days off, annual leave, and sick leave must still be accounted for. Record these using tachograph manual inputs or analogue record sheets so there are no unexplained gaps in your 28-day history.

5. VEHICLE INSURANCE AND GREEN CARDS

MOTOR INSURANCE

You must have suitable motor insurance cover for the countries you're driving through. Some countries also require a physical green card as proof.

WHERE YOU NEED A GREEN CARD

GREEN CARD REQUIRED:

• Albania
• Azerbaijan
• Israel
• Moldova
• Morocco
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Ukraine

NO GREEN CARD NEEDED:

• All EU countries (incl. Ireland)
• Andorra
• Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Montenegro
• Norway
• Serbia
• Switzerland

IMPORTANT GREEN CARD RULES

Green cards must be physical paper copies — electronic versions are not accepted. If you have fleet insurance, are towing a trailer, or have dual policies, you may need multiple green cards. Ask your employer to arrange these at least 6 weeks before travel.

6. HEALTHCARE DOCUMENTS

HEALTH INSURANCE AND EHIC/GHIC

Travel insurance with healthcare cover is strongly recommended. A UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gives you access to state healthcare in EU countries.

The GHIC/EHIC covers state-provided healthcare in EU countries, but it is not a substitute for travel insurance. It won't cover private treatment, repatriation, or non-EU countries.

GHIC LIMITATIONS

UK-issued GHICs and most UK EHICs do not cover Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland. If you're driving through these countries, make sure your travel insurance covers healthcare there.

KEEP COPIES

Keep photocopies of your GHIC/EHIC and give a set to a family member or colleague back home. If your card is lost or stolen, having the details makes it easier to get emergency support.

DON'T FORGET: THE 90/180-DAY RULE

Having the right documents gets you through the border, but there's one more requirement that catches many drivers out: the Schengen 90/180-day rule.

UK drivers can spend a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen Area within any rolling 180-day period. Since the EU's Entry/Exit System (EES) launched in October 2025, this is now enforced automatically with biometric checks at every border crossing.

No visa is needed if you stay within 90 days. But if the EES system shows you've exceeded your limit, you will be refused entry — regardless of having every other document in order.

ALL THE DOCUMENTS IN THE WORLD WON'T HELP IF YOU'VE OVERSTAYED

You can have a perfect driving licence, valid CPC, fresh passport, 28 days of tachograph records, and full insurance — but if the EES shows you've used your 90 days, you're not getting in. Tracking your Schengen days is just as important as carrying the right paperwork.

COMPLETE DOCUMENT CHECKLIST

BEFORE EVERY INTERNATIONAL TRIP, CHECK YOU HAVE:

☐ UK driving licence — valid, correct category, photocard (not paper)
☐ Driver CPC card — valid and current
☐ Passport — at least 6 months validity, issued less than 10 years ago
☐ Tachograph records — current day + previous 28 days, plus digital smart card
☐ Vehicle insurance — valid for all countries on your route
☐ Green card(s) — if travelling to countries that require them
☐ GHIC or EHIC — for state healthcare access in EU countries
☐ Travel insurance — with healthcare cover for all countries on your route
☐ Schengen day count — know how many of your 90 days you've used

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