Car clubs are built for convenience, but their rules can raise questions when you step outside the usual routine. One of the most common is simple: are you allowed to take a car club vehicle abroad, or are they strictly for UK use?
Maybe you’re heading to France for a weekend, driving into Ireland, or even planning a European road trip. Can you take a car club car abroad for these sorts of excursions?
The short answer: sometimes, but not always — and you’ll need to get permission first.
Here’s all you need to know.
What the Rules Usually Say
Most UK car clubs design their services for local use. Cars are insured and managed for journeys that start and end in the UK. Because of that, the default assumption is that cars stay within the country.
However, some car clubs do allow members to take vehicles abroad under certain conditions. You’ll usually need to request it in advance, pay an additional fee, and carry specific documents provided by the club.
For example:
- Enterprise Car Club lets members drive abroad, but only with prior agreement. They’ll provide the paperwork you need and may add extra insurance.
- Zipcar UK typically does not allow cars to leave the country. Their membership agreement is based around UK-only use, but again, very special exceptions are made at their discretion.
- Hiyacar are a flat out no for overseas travel.
- Co-Wheels do allow you to take cars abroad, but the process takes longer and is more expensive.
- Smaller regional clubs vary widely. Some are more flexible, while others don’t permit foreign travel at all.
Paperwork and Insurance
Driving a UK-registered car abroad isn’t as simple as just taking the ferry. You’ll usually need:
- A VE103 certificate – this is the document that proves you have permission to take a leased or hired vehicle out of the UK. Without it, you may face problems at borders or with local authorities.
- Proof of insurance – your car club may need to extend cover for European driving, which can involve an additional charge.
- Breakdown cover details – many clubs include breakdown assistance in the UK, but European cover may need to be arranged separately.
If you don’t have the right documents, you risk fines, car impoundment, or being uninsured if anything goes wrong abroad.
Extra costs to expect
Even if a car club allows foreign travel, don’t assume it’s included in your standard membership. You may need to pay for:
- An administrative fee for arranging paperwork.
- Extended insurance or breakdown cover.
- Mileage costs that can add up quickly on long trips.
These costs can make taking a car club car abroad less appealing compared with traditional car hire.
Alternatives Worth Considering
If your trip is mainly abroad rather than a short hop from the UK, it may actually be easier — and cheaper — to hire a car at your destination. Rental companies based in airports or major cities are set up for international travellers and include all the necessary documents and insurance.
Car clubs are generally designed for short-term, local use — running errands, day trips, business meetings — not long-haul European driving.
Why Most People Don’t
While it’s possible in some cases, taking a car club car abroad tends to be the exception rather than the rule. The extra paperwork, fees, and conditions often outweigh the convenience. For many members, car clubs make more sense for UK-only journeys, while overseas trips are better served by standard car hire.
Driving Abroad with Confidence
The bottom line is that you can sometimes take a car club car abroad — but it’s far from guaranteed, and it usually comes with strings attached. If your travel plans depend on driving overseas, speak to your club before you book, weigh up the costs, and consider whether a local rental might be the smoother option.
So, if you’re set on taking a car club car abroad, the key steps are:
- Check your club’s policy before booking — not all allow it.
- Request permission in advance so the paperwork can be arranged.
- Budget for extra costs like insurance and mileage.
- Have a backup plan in case your club says no.
Skip these steps at your peril, because getting it wrong could end up with the car being impounded, fines (from the car club and the country you travel to), breaking the terms of your insurance.