The following advice is directed principally towards motorists from the UK and should be used as a general guide only, as each and every case produces its own requirements dependent on the countries concerned and the circumstances and regulations prevailing at the time.

As many travellers neglect documentation - some of which should be obtained well in advance of departure - it is advisable to list all that is known to be relevant to your trip and make enquiries as to the remainder.

I have included below only those documents which are specifically related to vehicles.

Summary

For most overland trips you will need the following:

Driving Licence

Most countries will allow you to drive for six months on your national driving licence. After this you must have an IDP or take a local test. In Italy a translation of the visitor's National Driving Licence is required if the National Licence is the older UK all green colour licence. The translation may be obtained from motoring organisations. Motorists in possession of an IDP do not require a translation. It is probably also useful to have a translation if travelling in Arab countries where males may only be allowed to drive. Also this may apply in some countries when hiring a vehicle, whatever, all or most of the above will need to be produced and Third Party Insurance is mandatory for it is essential to cover claims relating to death of or bodily injury to third parties as a result of the vehicle's use.

International Motor Insurance Certificate ('Green Card')

When travelling in countries outside the scope of the 'Green Card' - which is generally outside Europe - Third Party insurance should be taken out at the first opportunity on entering the country. Whilst the 'Green Card' is technically no longer necessary in EC countries, it is extremely unwise to visit these countries without it as it remains readily acceptable as evidence of insurance to enable a driver to benefit from international claim-handling facilities. In any case, a 'Green Card' is required in all European countries outside the EC. It should be obtained from the insurance company that is currently insuring your vehicle.

The International Registration Distinguishing Sign ('GB' etc.)

This sign is mandatory and should be of the country in which your vehicle is registered, thus identifying your registration plates.

The Vehicle Registration Certificate

This is an essential document to take. However, further proof of ownership or authority to use the vehicle may sometimes be required.

Bail Bond

For visitors to Spain, it was always a wise precaution to obtain a Spanish Bail Bond from the vehicle insurers since the driver involved in an accident could have been required to lodge a deposit with the local Spanish Court and failure to meet that demand could result in imprisonment for the driver and detention of the vehicle until funds became available. Now that Spain is in the EU, this requirement is no longer technically applicable, but many insurers will still issue a Bail Bond at nil cost for anybody who wants to play doubly safe.

Carnet ATA

This is a customs document valid for 12 months, which facilitates the entry without payment of customs duties, etc., on professional equipment, goods for internal exhibition and commercial samples, temporarily imported into certain countries - a list of which may be obtained from the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (33 Queen Street, London, EC4R 1AP, tel: 020 248 4444) or through one of their many offices throughout the UK. The LCCI is likely to move in the near future, so do check their address before writing to them.

Carnet Camping

An international document jointly produced by the three international organisations dealing with camping and caravanning - the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile, the Federation Internationale de Camping et Caravanign and the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme. It serves as an identity document and facilitates entry to sites under the wing of these organisations sometimes at - reduced rates. In addition, the document provides personal accident cover up to a specified sum for those names on it. You should approach a motoring organisation for this document.

Carnet de Passages en Douanes

This is an Internationally recognised customs document. If acceptable to a country, it will entitle the holder to import temporarily a vehicle, caravan, trailer, boat, etc., without the need to deposit the appropriate customs duties and taxes. The issuing authority of the carnet is directly responsible for the payment of customs duties and taxes if the carnet is not discharged correctly, i.e. if the owner violates another country's customs regulations by selling the vehicle illegally. Consequently, any substantial payment will be recovered from the carnet holder under the terms of the signed issuing agreement. Motoring organisations are issuing authorities and will provide issue documents upon receipt of a bank guarantee, cash deposit or an insurance indemnity from an agreed firm of brokers to cover any liability. The sum required is determined by the motoring organisation, taking into consideration the countries the vehicle will enter (destinations are declared when the application for the carnet is made).

Normally the amount of the bond required as security is related to the maximum import duty on motor vehicles required in the countries to be visited, which can be as high as 400 per cent of the UK value of the vehicle. In the case of a bank guarantee, you need to have collateral with the issuing bank or funds sufficient to cover the amount required to be guaranteed. These funds cannot be withdrawn until the bank's guarantee is surrendered by the motoring organisation. This is done when the carnet is returned correctly discharged.

The procedure is for the bank manager to provide a letter of indemnity to the motoring organisation, normally the motoring organisation's specially printed documents. If you have insufficient funds or security to cover the bond, you may pay an insurance premium (the AA and the RAC have their own nominated insurance companies with which they have carnet indemnity agreements) and the company will act as guarantor.

There are certain points to watch, however. The car must usually be registered in the country where the carnet is issued. In some cases (at the discretion of the issuing club or association), being a citizen of the country where the carnet is issued is an alternative - even though the car has been registered elsewhere. In all cases, membership of the issuing club is a requirement and a carnet is necessary for most long transcontinental journeys and should be obtained regardless of the fact that some of the countries on the itinerary do not require it. To be without one where it is required usually means being turned back if you have insufficient funds to cover the customs deposit for entry.

A Carnet de Passages en Douanes is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be extended beyond the expiry date by applying to the motoring organisation in the country you are visiting at the point of expiry. The name of the motoring organisation is shown in the front cover of the carnet. An extension should be noted on every page and not just inside the cover in order to avoid difficulties at border checks.

When a new carnet is required, the application must be made to the original issuing authority. Carnets are issued with five, 11 or 25 pages, depending on the number of countries to be visited, and a nominal fee is charged accordingly to cover administration. Each page contains an entry voucher (volet d'entrée), exit voucher (volet de sortie) and a counterfoil (souche). When the vehicle leaves the country, the customs officer endorses the exit part of the counterfoil and detaches the appropriate exit voucher, thus discharging the carnet. If you have not taken care to have this done, the validity of the carnet may be suspended until this is rectified.

Certificate of Authority for a Borrowed or Hired Vehicle

This is required when a vehicle is borrowed or hired and should bear the signature of the owner. This must be the same as on the Registration Certificate which must or should also be taken.

VE103: International Certification for Motor Vehicles on Hire/Loan

In countries where the British Vehicle Registration Certificate is not accepted, this document is required and is issued by a motoring organisation.

International Driving Permit

An IDP is required by the driver of a vehicle in countries that do not accept the national driving licence of the visiting motorist. It is issued on request by motoring organisations for a small fee and is valid for twelve months from the date of issue. An IDP can only be issued in the country of the applicant's national driving licence.

Motoring Organisation Membership Card

Most countries have a motoring organisation which is a member of the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme (AIT) or the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) and provides certain reciprocal membership privileges to members of other motoring organisations.

Petrol Coupons

These are issued to visiting motorists in some countries either to promote tourism or where there are restrictions on the residents' use of petrol. Motoring organisations can advise which countries issue petrol coupons.

Additional Documents

You may need your birth certificate, extra passport photographs and, as a precaution against theft, it is wise to have separate photostat's of these and other pertinent documents.