International driving permit in UK, with a German license
Discussion
My local Post Office is quite far away, so can't easily pop in and ask. But does anyone know...
If the Post Office can produce me an International Driving Permit despite me having a German driving license? I can't find any clear info online about this scenario and unfortunately I haven't got the time before travel to exchange for a UK license.
I am due to drive in Argentina where an IDP is required by law apparently.
If the Post Office can produce me an International Driving Permit despite me having a German driving license? I can't find any clear info online about this scenario and unfortunately I haven't got the time before travel to exchange for a UK license.
I am due to drive in Argentina where an IDP is required by law apparently.
CanAm said:
The RAC website has your answer:-
https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/...
Ah, I didn't see the small text at the bottom the first time I scanned it!https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/driving-abroad/...
You can't get an IDP with a foreign driving licence unless it's an EU driving licence and you're a resident in the UK.
Well, questioned answered. Thanks for directing me back there, I missed it first time around.
Ah, the Carol Beer mentality. 
Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?
If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...
Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...
Red Devil said:
Ah, the Carol Beer mentality. Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?
If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this. - https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...
Yeah, unfortunately I think this was it. I did try and explain that and I kinda got a wave of the hand and I was told to go to my embassy. I said I was British and in turn, was told "Well, you should have a British license then. Until then, go to your embassy". Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...CanAm said:
The RAC will issue one urgently for a small extra charge.....if you've still have time.
Yeah, I will go this route instead. Will try and drop it into their office asap. alex98uk said:
Red Devil said:
Ah, the Carol Beer mentality. Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?
If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this. - https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...
Yeah, unfortunately I think this was it. I did try and explain that and I kinda got a wave of the hand and I was told to go to my embassy. I said I was British and in turn, was told "Well, you should have a British license then. Until then, go to your embassy". Are they 'trained' to spot whether a UK one is fake?If it's a photocard one they are being a complete jobsworth with a 'Little Britain' outlook.
All such D/Ls issued by countries within the EU have the same basic format.
Mind you Brits are notorious for being totally ignorant of languages other than their own.
As well as regarding all foreigners as inherently suspect.
The lack of competance reminds me of this.
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/dictionary-helps-c...
Do you have a German passport? If not, why would Embassy of the Federal Republic be obliged to help you?
They don't appear to understand the rules about D/Ls. There is no requirement for you to have a UK one.
Or that you can choose to exchange your UK one if you're resident in Germany.
https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/LA/fac...
If you don't your UK licence remains valid until it expires.
Residence is not synonymous with nationality/citizenship.
You're still a Brit unless you have renounced your nationality in favour of becoming a citizen of another country.
Beyond their pay grade to get their heads round it?
alex98uk said:
Yeah, unfortunately I think this was it. I did try and explain that and I kinda got a wave of the hand and I was told to go to my embassy. I said I was British and in turn, was told "Well, you should have a British license then. Until then, go to your embassy".
Typical of small town Post Offices unfortunately.To show the difference, a mate is a head teacher in Germany. On a school trip to Poland two little brats had not brought their passports, despite having confirmed they had them. Stopping at a small German town just short of the Czech border (prior to them joining the EU) we got photos taken, letters from parents and docs faxed through and temporary passports issued by the Town Hall in an hour or so. Try doing that in the UK!
Red Devil said:
Let me get this straight. They think that there is a British Embassy in the UK? You couldn't make it up.
Do you have a German passport? If not, why would Embassy of the Federal Republic be obliged to help you?
They don't appear to understand the rules about D/Ls. There is no requirement for you to have a UK one.
Or that you can choose to exchange your UK one if you're resident in Germany.
https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/LA/fac...
If you don't your UK licence remains valid until it expires.
Residence is not synonymous with nationality/citizenship.
You're still a Brit unless you have renounced your nationality in favour of becoming a citizen of another country.
Beyond their pay grade to get their heads round it?
I only exchanged my license to a German one as it expired whilst living there. I (correctly) understood that there is no requirement for me to trade it back in the UK as it's completely valid... but I think it's going to be best to do so to avoid these sorts of issues. I also had some companies who will not quote me on insurance due to having a foreign license (Greenlight amongst others...).Do you have a German passport? If not, why would Embassy of the Federal Republic be obliged to help you?
They don't appear to understand the rules about D/Ls. There is no requirement for you to have a UK one.
Or that you can choose to exchange your UK one if you're resident in Germany.
https://www.bmvi.de/SharedDocs/EN/Documents/LA/fac...
If you don't your UK licence remains valid until it expires.
Residence is not synonymous with nationality/citizenship.
You're still a Brit unless you have renounced your nationality in favour of becoming a citizen of another country.
Beyond their pay grade to get their heads round it?
But yeah, I could have argued until I was blue in the face and got nowhere.
CanAm said:
Typical of small town Post Offices unfortunately.
To show the difference, a mate is a head teacher in Germany. On a school trip to Poland two little brats had not brought their passports, despite having confirmed they had them. Stopping at a small German town just short of the Czech border (prior to them joining the EU) we got photos taken, letters from parents and docs faxed through and temporary passports issued by the Town Hall in an hour or so. Try doing that in the UK!
It's surprising, this was actually the main post office in Bristol. So, it's a city with a relatively diverse European population due to the Universities (especially Spanish). I did say to her "Well, what if someone French or Spanish lives in the UK and wants to drive abroad on a holiday?"... to which I got a "Not my job to know" face!To show the difference, a mate is a head teacher in Germany. On a school trip to Poland two little brats had not brought their passports, despite having confirmed they had them. Stopping at a small German town just short of the Czech border (prior to them joining the EU) we got photos taken, letters from parents and docs faxed through and temporary passports issued by the Town Hall in an hour or so. Try doing that in the UK!
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