Having the European authorisation laminated is apparently not tolerated in Germany. I know a couple of drivers who were fined last year for this. Seems to me like the common sense thing to do for the longevity of the original document but there you go! On another note I recently heard about the need for an E101 certificate or card. Something which is issued by the dept for work & pensions to prove that the driver is paying national insurance contributions in his own member state of the EU.