FOR many of us, summer is all about some taking time out from work and enjoying holidays with our friends and family. In many cases, company car drivers will want to take their hired or leased cars abroad so it makes sense to ensure that every eventuality is covered.

Kevin Blackmore, marketing manager at Fleet Alliance, said;

“It is important that employees and employers are fully prepared for any overseas travel for journeys that they may be planning to make in their company vehicle.

“In many cases, trips are taken without the necessary documentation being present and drivers are unaware of some of the red tape issues and laws that could cause them problems while they are away.

“Even if travellers are planning their journey in a privately owned car, or are intending to hire a vehicle when they reach their destination, there are some important things to consider before starting out, to make sure that they have no problems whilst abroad.”

Here are Fleet Alliance’s driving tips for travelling abroad this summer.

Travelling by ferry

The UK Government introduced exit checks at all ports, airports and the Eurotunnel at the beginning of April this year.

This means that all travellers are now required to present their passports and/or national identity cards when they are checking in, so be prepared for longer check-in procedures.

Make sure that you are able to give advanced passenger information that may be requested by the operator at the time of booking and also that your passports are close at hand.

Traffic controls at Port of Dover

The Port of Dover and the Highways Agency are changing the way that traffic approaches the Port at peak times, so preparing your route and allowing for any delays is wise.

Traffic will now be filtered into two lanes on the A20 outside of town – when the port is very busy, new signals will keep traffic on the A20 until a clear route is available to entrance of the port itself.

Photocard paper counterpart

As from 8^th June 2015, the paper counterpart to the photocard licence has also been abolished. Information regarding any penalty points are now only held by the DVLA.

Because of this, the AA recommends that you keep your paper counterpart if you are planning on hiring a car abroad instead of destroying it (if you haven’t done so already) as the DVLA have advised. This is in case the overseas hire company are unaware of these changes which could ultimately leave you unable to hire from them.

You should also take a print-copy of your driving licence record from the DVLA website, making sure that your driving licence number, national insurance number, your home address and post code are visible.