Foreign Driving Licences

[JMGS4]

John Robson,
sorry to contradict you on this, as German and French policies definitely MUST cover all drivers and all countries (with a few eastern european exceptions)in Europe (continent and islands!). My insurance covers all continental Europe and GB and Eire and Faroes and Shetland etc.... excepting Bulgaria, Poland, CZ, and ROM! A green card insurance chit is NOT an extension only a confirmation in other languages that these countries are covered!!!!

As far as my Insurance guys are concerned there may be a slight reduction in cover in some countries BUT the minimum legal cover (3rd party) MUST be covered by EU law fo all EU vehicles (except GB/Eire vehicles) travelling in continental europe and GB/Eire!!! GB is different as they do not comply with EU insurance law and the majority of cars do not /cannot leave the country, whereas I can cross a border within 5km from here, without there even being a crossing point any more!

A point of law covering German Regs.... A number plate is only given when the vehicle AND insurance policy AND MOT is registered (shown by one of the stamps on the plates). If the police/registration authority get information from the insurance company that insurance has lapsed (they are bound by law to do this immediately on lapsing), then the police go and remove this stamp (scratch it out) from the numberplate. Driving without this is a crime not a civil offence! So watch for those JR!

The other stamp (octagonal coloured clock type on front plate) is for the emission and the round coloured one on the rear is the MOT date, The registration authority is white and black with the authorities badge on both plates and this is the one which would be scratched out if no cover is present!

NB John Robson, I've now spoken to my insurace guys in Cologne (the largest in EU) and they confirm that EU law has for the last 20 years bound them to give cover in ALL EU including GB/Eire!!!!Sorry!

Edited by JMGS4 on Thursday 22 November 11:30

[Fatboy]

John Robson - I checked on my family's policies (parents, partner, brother), and they all cover driving anywhere in the EU, not Just UK. They don't cover outside the EU (Possible exception switzerland) though...

[bosshog]

Fatboy,

I think that pretty much most comprehensive policies will cover you for this, but its a fact that the time allowed is limited (max about 3 months).

I imagin though that there are several 3rd party policies that don't cover you abroad.

[JMGS4]

Fatboy, you'll find that Switzerland is covered as it joined the insurance union about 40 years ago (that's one of the 2 borders I can cross here within 5 miles the other is France).
Also a time limit is not legal as long as the policy is paid up!

[hertsbiker]

Ok John, so I check to see if matey is insured, and he is.

Then I get a hypothetical ticket, claim mate was driving, and was insured.

How do I prove;-
a) he was driving
b) he was insured

I thought if you were accused of MURDER there had to be PROOF and reasonable grounds.

How come this insurance thing is "absolute" ??

Utter disgrace that the law is used to bludgeon motorists into accepting a speeding ticket in this way. I am appalled by the way the odds are stacked up against us.

rgds.

[Fatboy]

Simple, convicting a murderer doesn't raise revenue, therefore no need to run roughshod over human rights laws etc in the bid to raise cash.

Also bear in mind that the insurance fraud thing only really applies to regular honest people who make a mistake (or people who might get out of contributing to the coffers),as the sort of scuzzballs who drive round without insurance will keep driving without insurance/license anyway

Cheers for the explanation of why switzerland is covered JMGS4

Edited by Fatboy on Thursday 22 November 14:57

[john robson]

My above post was a little unclear I am aware that when you insure your car that you are covered in other EEC countries. ie this was what the old green card was about, that has been scrapped and you are now covered to drive your car in any country automatically. The info i was given was that it would not cover your use of a foreign car in another country if that is incorrect I will stand corrected, but the info had come from a colleague who had just been to court with the above E.g I will have to speak with him again and clarify the full circs of that particular job.

Edited by john robson on Friday 23 November 10:33

[JMGS4]

John Robson, I think you'll find that GB has an opt out clause and that you are NOT automatically insured outside GB with a GB reg. But it needs checking with a GB insurance specialist! Certainly we continental europeans are covered!
THanks for all your intelligent input JR!