Published:

July 1, 2026

Updated On:

July 7, 2026

Summer Road Trip Checklist 2026: Car Checks, Documents and Insurance

There’s nothing quite like a summer road trip. You might be heading to the coast, taking the scenic route through the countryside, or driving into Europe. Wherever you’re going, a safer trip starts before you leave the driveway.

Before you load the boot and set off, take a few minutes to run through this simple checklist. It could help reduce the risk of delays, breakdowns, fines, or stress later on.

1. Essential car checks before you go

A few basic checks can make a big difference, especially before a long drive.

Tyres

Check your tyre pressure before you leave. Make sure your tyres are cold when you test them, and use the pressure listed in your vehicle handbook, fuel cap, or door frame.

You should also check the tread depth. The legal minimum tread depth for car tyres in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre, around the full tyre.

You should also look for:

Cracks
Bulges
Cuts
Uneven wear
Nails, stones, or other objects stuck in the tread

For more advice, see TyreSafe’s tyre checking guide.

Oil, coolant and screenwash

Check your engine oil, coolant and screenwash before a long journey.

Low oil can damage your engine. Low coolant can lead to overheating. Low screenwash can make it harder to see, especially if your windscreen gets covered in dust, insects, or spray from the road.

Top everything up before you go, and keep extra screenwash in the car if you have space.

Battery

If your car has not been used much, check the battery before you travel. Hot weather, short trips and long periods without use can all put strain on it.

If your car struggles to start, or the battery warning light appears, get it checked before your journey. Many garages offer battery checks.

Brakes and lights

Your brakes and lights need to work well, especially if you are driving at night, towing, or travelling on unfamiliar roads.

Check that your:

Brake lights work
Headlights work
Indicators work
Hazard lights work
Number plate lights work

Listen out for grinding, squeaking, or pulling when you brake. If anything feels wrong, book a garage check before you go.

Wipers and windscreen

Clean your windscreen inside and out. Check for chips or cracks, as these can get worse on a long trip.

If your wipers smear, squeak, or leave streaks, replace them before you travel. Clear vision is a key part of safe driving.

2. Make sure your documents are up to date

Paperwork is easy to forget, but it matters if you are stopped, have a breakdown, or need to make a claim.

Before you travel, check you have:

Your driving licence
Your insurance details
Your MOT certificate, if your vehicle needs one
Vehicle tax
Breakdown cover details
Your insurer’s contact details
Your breakdown provider’s contact details

You can check your MOT and tax online:

It is also worth saving key details on your phone and keeping a paper copy in the car, just in case your phone battery runs out.

If you are already insured with Got You Covered, you can also check our policy documents page for useful policy information.

3. Pack for safety and comfort

A road trip is much easier when you have the right kit with you.

Useful items to pack include:

Spare tyre or puncture repair kit
Warning triangle
Hi-vis jacket
Torch and spare batteries
Mobile phone charger
Power bank
Sat nav or phone mount
Road map, in case signal drops
First aid kit
Bottled water
Snacks
Sunglasses
Sun cream
Any medicine you or your passengers need

A small rubbish bag, wet wipes and tissues can also make a long journey feel less chaotic.

And don’t forget the playlist. The right music cannot fix traffic, but it can make it easier to live with.

4. Plan your route before you leave

Even a simple route can change quickly. Roadworks, accidents, bad weather and busy holiday traffic can all add time to your journey.

Before you set off:

Check the weather with the Met Office UK forecast
Check live traffic and road updates with National Highways travel updates
Plan rest stops
Have a backup route
Tell someone where you are going
Share your expected arrival time
Save useful phone numbers before you leave

Try to take regular breaks. Tired driving can be dangerous, and it is better to arrive later than to keep driving when you need rest.

5. Driving abroad? Check the rules before you go

If your summer road trip takes you outside the UK, do not assume the rules are the same as they are at home.

Before you travel, check the latest guidance on driving abroad on GOV.UK.

You may need to carry:

Your driving licence
Your vehicle log book, known as your V5C
Your insurance certificate
A VE103 certificate, if your vehicle is hired or leased
A UK sticker, depending on your number plate and where you are driving
A warning triangle
A reflective jacket
Headlight converters
Emission stickers for some cities

If you are taking your own vehicle abroad for less than 12 months, you must take your V5C log book.

If you are hiring or leasing a vehicle, check whether you need a VE103 certificate before you travel.

Do you need an International Driving Permit?

You do not usually need an International Driving Permit to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a UK photocard driving licence.

You may need one for some countries, or if you have certain types of licence. Check the latest rules before you go. You can read more on GOV.UK’s driving in the EU guide.

If you do need an International Driving Permit, you can get one from a participating PayPoint store.

Do you need a Green Card?

Most UK drivers no longer need to carry a Green Card when driving in the EU, including Ireland. This also applies in Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Serbia and Switzerland.

You still need valid vehicle insurance.

You may need a Green Card for some other countries, including Albania, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Turkey and Ukraine. Check your route before you travel and speak to your insurer if you are unsure.

You can find the latest guidance on vehicle insurance when driving abroad.

Allow extra time at borders

If you are travelling to the Schengen area, the EU Entry/Exit System may mean extra checks at the border. You may need to register biometric details, such as a photo or fingerprints, when you arrive or pass through certain ports.

Follow the advice from your ferry, train, or travel operator, and allow extra time during busy travel periods. You can read more about the European Entry/Exit System.

6. Check your insurance before a long trip

You may have checked your tyres, oil and route. But have you checked your insurance?

Before you travel, check whether your current policy meets your needs for the trip.

Check whether your policy includes:

Long journeys
Higher mileage
Driving abroad
The countries you plan to visit
Theft or damage abroad
Additional drivers
Towing, if needed
Breakdown support

Cover can vary by insurer and policy. Some policies may only offer minimum third-party cover abroad, even if you have a higher level of cover in the UK. Others may limit how many days you can drive outside the UK.

If you are not sure, check your policy documents or speak to your insurer before you go.

It is also important to make sure your details are correct before you travel. Mileage, drivers, claims, convictions and vehicle use can all affect your cover and price. You can read more in our guide to what affects your car insurance premium.

You may also find our guide on why accurate details matter when getting a car insurance quote useful before making any changes.

Need car or van insurance before your trip?

At Got You Covered, we arrange specialist insurance for drivers who may find it harder to get standard cover.

This may include drivers with:

Previous motoring convictions
Previous claims
A low no-claims discount
A car or van that is harder to insure

Before you head off this summer, it is worth checking your insurance is suitable for your plans.

Find out more about our car insurance, van insurance, or convicted driver insurance.

You can get a quote or speak to our team to check what options may be available. Cover is subject to insurer terms, conditions, exclusions and acceptance criteria.