The UK government is testing a digital driving licence, but right now, you cannot rely on your phone abroad. Most European police won’t accept it.
So, print out your documents. Keep hard copies in your glovebox. Always have a backup because your phone battery will die at the worst possible moment.
Imagine explaining to a gendarme that your licence is “on your phone, but it’s out of charge.” That’s not going to end with a smile and a wave—it’s going to end with a ticket.
Real-life story: The holiday that almost cost £500
My mate Jamie drove to the south of France last summer. He’d checked everything: insurance, breakdown cover, snacks. But he forgot his IDP.
Warning to drivers over 'crucial' driving licence update or risk huge
He got pulled over for speeding (just 5 km/h over, the copper was having a bad day). The officer asked for his licence and the IDP. Jamie handed over his UK photocard with a confused look.
The fine? €350 for no IDP, plus €90 for the speeding. Total: €440. That’s nearly £380 for a mistake that would have cost him £5.50 and a trip to the Post Office.
He now keeps a checklist taped to his dashboard. Lesson learned, the expensive way.
