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Don’t get caught out when driving company car abroad

By / 10 years ago / Latest News / No Comments

Warwickshire-based Run Your Fleet says that many drivers running leased vehicles are not aware that it is a compulsory requirement to carry the VE103 vehicle on hire certificate at all times to prove that you have permission from the owner, ie the car leasing company.

Fleet management specialist Steve Whitmarsh said: ‘Many of our customers lease their vehicles, and we highlight the need for the VE103 for driving abroad, as we know that a driver or small business may be unaware of the need. A letter of permission to drive the vehicle from the company is not the same and will not be accepted, leaving the driver liable to on the spot fines or even the risk of having the vehicle impounded – something of a nightmare if you have the family on board!

‘Once requested, the VE103 will only take a few days to come through, but it is worth allowing extra time on the run up to peak holiday times, such as the summer.’

The firm added that other requirements differ from country to country so it is worth checking these well in advance of your journey. Run Your Fleet’s full checklist can be found on its website www.runyourfleet.com but here are some top tips:

• Ensure you have the correct insurance and breakdown cover.


• In many European countries it is compulsory to display a GB sticker


• Carry a warning triangle and reflective jackets for each occupant, failure to have either can result in on the spot fines of up to 135 Euros. In France reflective jackets must be in the main cabin of the car not in the boot buried under luggage.


• Ensure your headlamps are correctly adjusted.


• In France it is now a legal requirement to carry breathalysers in the cabin of the car.


• In Spain you may also be given an on the spot fine for driving in open backed shoes, such as flip flops, as this is viewed as restricting your control of the car.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.