Driving Your Newly Bought Car Home

The drive home in your own car starts with three checks: whether you may legally set off, whether the necessary insurance is in force, and whether the car is ready for the road. The keys and a signed contract do not answer these questions on their own.

Documents and plates before you travel to the seller

Agree with the seller in what registration status the car will be handed over and which original documents you will receive. Then work out the registration option that suits your route. Do not assume you can simply drive off on the seller's plates or use any temporary plate abroad.

For taking the car out of Germany, export registration with Ausfuhrkennzeichen may be an option. The registration period is tied to the insurance cover, and the HU must be valid for the whole period requested. Confirm the conditions and documents with the registration office you will be dealing with.

Insurance for the whole route

Check the start and end dates of the cover, the drivers and the countries of the trip. Ask the insurer which proof you need to carry with you. Having a policy does not mean that any damage to your car will be paid for: the scope of cover has to be read separately.

Transit and destination countries are checked against the rules in force on the date of travel. A route beyond the EU may require additional procedures. Before you book the journey, it is important to understand where and when they are carried out.

Handover and the first drive

Check the car's identification against the documents, along with the keys and the agreed set of items. Record the condition and any known defects. Before a long drive, check the tyres, lights, fluid levels and any messages on the dashboard. A fault you discover may need to be looked at by a specialist before you set off.

Adjust the driver's seat and mirrors and get to know the main controls. Find out in advance how the fuel filler flap or the charging port opens. With an unfamiliar car it is better to set aside time to get acquainted calmly than to work it out on the motorway.

A route with time to spare

Do not build your plan on the assumption that the handover and paperwork will definitely be finished within an hour. Leave time for checking documents and for any questions that come up. Plan your stops, refuelling or charging, and an overnight stay if you need one.

Discuss collecting your car. Tell us the destination country, the expected date and who will be driving. We can then put together a list of questions specific to your trip.