European Hire
Abacus specialises in supplying modern compliant vehicles for travel into Europe.
Abacus makes it easy to take your hire vehicle abroad, with flexible options, full insurance cover, and all the paperwork sorted. Whether it's a business trip or a continental road adventure, we’ll help you get there smoothly.
Important Information for Taking a Vehicle Abroad
Please note the following points should you consider booking a vehicle to take abroad:
- The hirer is responsible for any fines or penalties within the UK or Europe.
- The hirer is responsible for the full hire costs until the vehicle is returned to our depot.
Our pricing structure includes:
- Breakdown Cover
- Green Card
- Hire Charges
- Insurance
- Mileage
- VE103B form
Taking a Vehicle Abroad Without Consent
Taking an Abacus Vehicle abroad without our written consent or taking an Abacus Vehicle into any countries not listed above will result in:
- A breach of contract
- Invalid Insurance
- Lose of breakdown cover
- The vehicle being reported stolen
- Extra charges
Permitted European Countries
With our written consent, our vehicles are permitted to travel through the following European countries:
European Travel Kits
We can also supply European Travel Kits which include the following. Extra items can be purchased individually in our depot.
- Accident Form - GB Sticker
- Bulbs - Headlight Adjusters
- Carry Bag - High Viz Vest
- First Aid Kit - Warning Triangle
- Fuses
Do Your Homework
Abacus are not an authority on driving in the EU and cannot be held responsible for any fines or penalties imposed, so it is the Hirer’s responsibility to check what extra paperwork, documentation and equipment is required to drive through each country as they may differ from one to the other. For example in France it is compulsory to carry one Warning Triangle and one High Visibility Vest whereas in Spain it is compulsory to carry a High Visibility Vest for each person in the vehicle and two Warning Triangles.
If you’re heading across to Europe on a skiing trip, check the following links for tyre requirements as in some countries snow tyres are compulsory. We can fit snow tyres to our vehicles on request and with enough notice but there is a charge for this service.
France has recently introduced the vehicle specific CRIT’Air Clean Air Sticker which should be displayed on your vehicle if you drive through Paris, Lyon or Grenoble. Abacus can apply for the sticker on your behalf but must be given at least 7 days notice. Please give us a call if you think this may apply to you.
Further Help and Advice
The following websites may help you with country specific requirements, equipment and advise, but ultimately it is up to you to choose where you gain the information required:
The RAC – Driving in Europe - www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/
French Air Quality Certificate Service - certificat-air.gouv.fr/en
Transporting goods in Europe in Vans or Cars and Trailers from 21 May 2022
From 21 May 2022, you’ll need a standard international goods vehicle operator licence to transport goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
This will apply to you if you’re based in England, Scotland or Wales and use:
- vans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) over 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes) and up to and including 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes)
- vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight (GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
- cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes