Driving Abroad from Bulgaria: Documents and Equipment

Summer's here, and you're packing the car for Greece, Turkey, Italy or Croatia. The boot's full, the route's planned, and everyone's waiting to get going. Then you reach the first border and discover you've forgotten something important. Not the best start to a holiday, is it? That's why I always say: before driving abroad from Bulgaria, check a few things first. You'll save yourself a lot of headaches.

What documents should you take?

• Driving licence — make sure it's still valid.
• Vehicle registration certificate — take the original.
• Third-party insurance — check that it covers every country on your route.
• Letter of authorisation — if the car isn't registered in your name.
• Vignettes and tolls — check what you need to pay in each country you'll be driving through.

What safety equipment do you need to carry?

Every country has its own rules, and those rules change. Don't assume that because something is compulsory in Bulgaria, the same applies everywhere else. Before you set off, check the requirements for every country on your route. Here's what you'll most commonly need:

• High-visibility vest — some countries require one for every passenger.
• Warning triangle.
• First-aid kit — check that it hasn't expired.
• Fire extinguisher — compulsory in some countries.
• Winter equipment — if you're travelling through mountainous areas during the colder months.

What should you check on your car before setting off?

1. If your next service is coming up, get the engine oil changed now. Don't put it off until after your holiday.
2. Check your tyres — the pressures, tread depth and manufacturing dates.
3. Check the brakes and fluid levels. Don't wait for something to start playing up halfway through the journey.
4. Make sure the air conditioning works properly. When it's 40°C outside and you're stuck in traffic, the last thing you want is for the air con to give up.
5. Inflate your tyres to the recommended pressures for a fully loaded car. A car packed with luggage doesn't handle the same way as an empty one.

A tip from Kris Mladenov: Take photos of your car's documents and save them on your phone. If you lose anything along the way, at least you'll have a copy to hand.

If you've got a long drive coming up, bring your car to Das Auto Service and we'll give it a check before you leave. You can also check out the compulsory safety equipment in our shop. I'm telling you this because I want you to enjoy your holiday without worrying about the car, not waste precious days sorting out something we could have caught before you set off.

What can you find in our shop?

Audi folding warning triangle

The Audi folding warning triangle takes up hardly any room in your boot, and it's compulsory in many countries.

View in our shop

Audi high-visibility vest for adults

Audi high-visibility vest for adults — some countries require you to carry one for everyone in the car.

View in our shop

Audi car first-aid kit

Audi car first-aid kit — just remember to check the expiry date before you set off.

View in our shop

Read more

• Essential car safety equipment — in our shop
• Routine servicing at Das Auto Service
• Driving to the seaside: 10 things to check on your car
• Audi travel bags: sizes and what fits where

Frequently asked questions

What documents do I need when driving abroad?

Your driving licence, the original vehicle registration certificate, valid third-party insurance covering every country on your route, and a letter of authorisation if the car isn't registered in your name.

Do I need a high-visibility vest for every passenger?

In some countries, yes. Check the rules for every country you'll be driving through.

What should I check on my car before a long journey?

The engine oil, tyres, brakes, fluids and air conditioning. It's much better for us to catch a problem at the workshop than for your car to leave you stranded on a motorway somewhere.