Brexit and driving abroad, specifically France
Discussion
Going to France for a few days in early March.
What’s the deal on:
Green card - suspect I need one from insurer.
International Driving Permit- suspect I’ll need one of those from the Post Office @£5.50
Medical card thingy- unsure about that requirement, although I don’t think it’s a driving requirement.
Anything I have missed?
What’s the deal on:
Green card - suspect I need one from insurer.
International Driving Permit- suspect I’ll need one of those from the Post Office @£5.50
Medical card thingy- unsure about that requirement, although I don’t think it’s a driving requirement.
Anything I have missed?
andygo said:
Going to France for a few days in early March.
What’s the deal on:
Green card - suspect I need one from insurer.
International Driving Permit- suspect I’ll need one of those from the Post Office @£5.50
Medical card thingy- unsure about that requirement, although I don’t think it’s a driving requirement.
Anything I have missed?
Yep, lots of Euros as the Police don't take credit cards.What’s the deal on:
Green card - suspect I need one from insurer.
International Driving Permit- suspect I’ll need one of those from the Post Office @£5.50
Medical card thingy- unsure about that requirement, although I don’t think it’s a driving requirement.
Anything I have missed?
Transition phase - nothing changes, so you'll need to take exactly what you would have taken last year.
However, you will need to adjust your travel insurance if you want to be on the safe side, as EHIC cards (anecdotally) are being refused for UK citizens by some healthcare providers on the basis that they don't believe they'll get paid if they provide service.
Worth checking in with your insurance company, but you'd be doing that anyway to let them know you'll be abroad, so not the end of the world.
Jan 1st 2021 is when it all changes, and we have no idea what the score is going to be then.
However, you will need to adjust your travel insurance if you want to be on the safe side, as EHIC cards (anecdotally) are being refused for UK citizens by some healthcare providers on the basis that they don't believe they'll get paid if they provide service.
Worth checking in with your insurance company, but you'd be doing that anyway to let them know you'll be abroad, so not the end of the world.
Jan 1st 2021 is when it all changes, and we have no idea what the score is going to be then.
Edited by Dammit on Tuesday 28th January 21:34
I'd get the permit anyway, it's valid for 3 years. As I found out, not all post offices have the staff 'trained' to fill one out so worth asking before you waste your time queuing only to be told. Photobooth picture cost me more than the permit. From my reading it would appear only the French are going to be insistent on one , no surprises there. Most of the rest of Europe happy to take uk licence as proof of ability... I didn't bother getting a permit covering Spain.
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I've read conflicting stuff. Some articles say that there's no need for IDP or green card until 31/12/20.
Some say from 1st Feb. I guess the answer is get 'em anyway.
The insurance for the MINI renewed this month, and I note that the renewal schedule now says if you're travelling abroad please request a green card. In fact, it said the same last year as I recall getting one from them for a trip to Epernay! Some say from 1st Feb. I guess the answer is get 'em anyway.
By the time we get to the end of transition (and it may be extended beyond the 31st of Dec 2020 so there may be more time than we anticipate at the moment) we may be fine using our UK licences - it's simply the lack of any agreement that requires the IDP.
There's the bulb kit/hi-viz/breathalyser/fire-extinguisher/beam-deflector stuff, but that's the same as it was before.
Key difference may be medical - if we don't agree to reciprocal health care for EU citizens in the UK then we won't get it in the EU, which will mean that it's like travelling in the US from a health insurance perspective. For e.g. I needed some X-rays when I was in Colorado after a fall and it was $8,000 that I paid and then re-claimed from my insurance.
We might agree reciprocal health-care, but given the political climate I can't see that happening in the near term.
There's the bulb kit/hi-viz/breathalyser/fire-extinguisher/beam-deflector stuff, but that's the same as it was before.
Key difference may be medical - if we don't agree to reciprocal health care for EU citizens in the UK then we won't get it in the EU, which will mean that it's like travelling in the US from a health insurance perspective. For e.g. I needed some X-rays when I was in Colorado after a fall and it was $8,000 that I paid and then re-claimed from my insurance.
We might agree reciprocal health-care, but given the political climate I can't see that happening in the near term.
Broccers said:
2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:
I'm doing a couple of trips, so thought I'd get the IDP.
I'm also driving in Spain, £5.50 for one year, two different permits required.
Can you say whats needed in Spain to save me looking I'm also driving in Spain, £5.50 for one year, two different permits required.
Probs getting the ferry in and out so just Spain.1949 is the reference number of the permit. I've read you don't need one until 31/12/20, but above says 9 months if no deal. For £5.50 I just got one anyway.
You need to find a post office that do them (not all do) and take a passport type photo & your licence. If it's an old paper licence take the passport too.
Poshbury said:
You definitely don't need breathalysers, that legislation was revoked a good while ago.
Get the Waze app, it's what the French swear by. It's legal too.
Breathalyser is still a requirement in France, its just that there is no punishment for not having one so entirely pointless.Get the Waze app, it's what the French swear by. It's legal too.
The AA said:
Breathalysers
In July 2012 the French announced that drivers must carry a breathalyser or, from November 2012, be fined €11. You still have to carry the breathalyser but the fine has been postponed twice and was shelved in January 2013. The breathalyser must be unused and show the French certification mark NF. It has to be in date too. Single-use breathalysers normally only last 12 months so check yours if you bought it for a trip last year and didn’t use it.
The AAIn July 2012 the French announced that drivers must carry a breathalyser or, from November 2012, be fined €11. You still have to carry the breathalyser but the fine has been postponed twice and was shelved in January 2013. The breathalyser must be unused and show the French certification mark NF. It has to be in date too. Single-use breathalysers normally only last 12 months so check yours if you bought it for a trip last year and didn’t use it.
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