Checking your travel documents

Several weeks often pass between booking and travelling. We accordingly ask you to check your travel wishes and vehicle data with the details entered on your travel documents.

• dates of outward and inward journeys
• vehicle data
• registration No.
• length
• width
• height (including attachments!)
• roof attachments
• ground clearance

Should there be any discrepancy – perhaps because you have bought a new car in the meantime or have since fitted a roof rack – then you need to notify the point of sale. There it will be checked whether the differing dimensions make it necessary to book a new vehicle position and whether such a position is still available. If you booked online, please call the DB Autozugservice line. If any discrepancies only become apparent at check-in, it may not be possible to carry your vehicle.

Got everything?

Please remember that, for your own safety, you are not permitted to return to your vehicle once it has been driven onto the carrier or at any time during the train journey.

It’s best to make a list of things you would like to take into your compartment or cabin beforehand, typical examples being:

• valuables such as cameras etc.
• travel documents, travellers cheques, credit cards
• travel requisites, reading matter, games
• nightwear and washing utensils in the case of overnight journeys
• tablets and medicines.

Important ways of ensuring a troublefree trip

Before loading

• Have your tickets and vehicle registration certificate ready
• Carefully read through the destination slip handed to you when your tickets are inspected and place it in a visible position on your dashboard
• Ensure anyone travelling with you leaves the vehicle
• Take out any items you require on the train
• Retract your aerial
• Secure or detach any deflectors
• Close windows, sliding roofs and ventilation flaps
• Make a final inspection of your luggage
• On services from and to Italy it is usual for Italian terminal staff to load and unload your car at some terminals. Please familiarise yourself with local arrangements in this respect and have your car keys ready.

During loading

On grounds of safety, only the drivers of vehicles can enter the carrier.

• When asked to do so by terminal staff, carefully drive onto the carrier at walking speed
• Remain in lane
• Apply the hand brake once you have reached your parking position
• Engage first gear or, if you have automatic transmission, set the selector lever to “P”
• Switch off any alarm systems
• Lock your vehicle
• Mind your head when alighting from the carrier – there is restricted headroom on the lower deck

When preparing for your holiday do not forget

• to check the validity of your ID cards/passports
• to lay your driving licence out ready
• to apply for an international driving licence
• to lay your vehicle/trailer registration certificates out ready
• to read up on how to deactivate your alarm system
• to apply for travellers cheques/credit cards
• to sort out the booking material for your holiday flat, hotel or guesthouse
• to take certificates of vaccination for your pets with you
• to arrange for someone to look after your mail
• to cancel newspapers or have them sent on
• to arrange health insurance for travel abroad
• to take medication with you, especially for chronic conditions
• to tell neighbours you will be away
• to leave details of your holiday address
• to deposit valuables in a bank safe
• to take the addresses of relatives, friends and acquaintances with you
• to take our travel insurance cover
• to take out motorail insurance
• to pack warning bibs if motoring abroad.