No Deal , "May" need International driving licence
Discussion
Cant post a link at present
So Extract of BBC report
"The government is encouraging all British driving licence holders who live in the EU to exchange their licence for a local EU driving licence as soon as possible, in case there is a "no deal" Brexit.
It is also warning people who live in the UK that if they want to drive in Europe after March, they may need an international driving permit (IDP) in some countries.
In the guidance
, which was updated today, the government warned UK drivers: "From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries."
It also said that UK driving licence holders living in the EU from 29 March "may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there."
"You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible."
Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019," the guidance adds. "
So Extract of BBC report
"The government is encouraging all British driving licence holders who live in the EU to exchange their licence for a local EU driving licence as soon as possible, in case there is a "no deal" Brexit.
It is also warning people who live in the UK that if they want to drive in Europe after March, they may need an international driving permit (IDP) in some countries.
In the guidance
, which was updated today, the government warned UK drivers: "From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries."
It also said that UK driving licence holders living in the EU from 29 March "may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there."
"You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible."
Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019," the guidance adds. "
i dont care either way on brexit, i just want it over one way or other as it boring but this smacks of project fear.
do you need an international license in the States, or Aus or other popular tourist destinations? States you dont, at least a couple of years back when hired RV.
maybe if you are resident there yes, fair enough, but not for holiday makers.
do you need an international license in the States, or Aus or other popular tourist destinations? States you dont, at least a couple of years back when hired RV.
maybe if you are resident there yes, fair enough, but not for holiday makers.
MXRod said:
Cant post a link at present
So Extract of BBC report
"The government is encouraging all British driving licence holders who live in the EU to exchange their licence for a local EU driving licence as soon as possible, in case there is a "no deal" Brexit.
It is also warning people who live in the UK that if they want to drive in Europe after March, they may need an international driving permit (IDP) in some countries.
In the guidance
, which was updated today, the government warned UK drivers: "From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries."
It also said that UK driving licence holders living in the EU from 29 March "may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there."
"You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible."
Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019," the guidance adds. "
As I've said in the passport thread, the UK drivers licence will be treated the same as any other non EU licence should Brexit occur. So it'll be the same as an Australian licence, or a Canadian one.So Extract of BBC report
"The government is encouraging all British driving licence holders who live in the EU to exchange their licence for a local EU driving licence as soon as possible, in case there is a "no deal" Brexit.
It is also warning people who live in the UK that if they want to drive in Europe after March, they may need an international driving permit (IDP) in some countries.
In the guidance
, which was updated today, the government warned UK drivers: "From 29 March 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries."
It also said that UK driving licence holders living in the EU from 29 March "may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there."
"You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible."
Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019," the guidance adds. "
An IDP (International Drivers Permit) isn't a licence, its a translation of your English language licence into 12 (I think) foreign languages. EU Nations (or any other nation), are well within their rights to ask for this, but I doubt it'll be much of an issue. As an IDP isn't an actual drivers licence you're still dependent on the host nation recognising the validity of your UK licence and as I've said, I highly doubt the EU is going to declare UK licences void. They'll just dump us into the same bucket as Americans and Australians.
Not that an IDP is difficult to get mind you.
Not sure how it will end up in practice, but I'd say it's a good thing to do. Here in Norway most countries need to do a winter driving section to their test, whereas from the UK I could just swap my UK one. If you need to do that then it will cost something like £500-1000 or so I think. Extreme example due to cost of stuff here, but good to make public aware just in case.
Zulu 10 said:
My wife and I bought our IDPs last week, but apparently after 1st February the arrangements are changing slightly:
Currently only selected Post Office counters can issue IDPs. As an example, in Hampshire; only I think Southampton and Basingstoke do so, and do it on behalf of the AA. The RAC also issue IDPs, but I believe by mail order only.
With effect from 1st February the AA and RAC will no longer be entitled to issue IDPs, but instead some 2,500 Post Office branches (i.e. a far greater number than at present) will issue them directly on behalf of DVSA.
Whether the Government has seen fit to print and distribute to Post Offices sufficient IDPs to ensure that everyone who is contemplating a trip abroad this year gets the opportunity to buy one remains to be seen...
what are all these countries that people are all going to that require this?Currently only selected Post Office counters can issue IDPs. As an example, in Hampshire; only I think Southampton and Basingstoke do so, and do it on behalf of the AA. The RAC also issue IDPs, but I believe by mail order only.
With effect from 1st February the AA and RAC will no longer be entitled to issue IDPs, but instead some 2,500 Post Office branches (i.e. a far greater number than at present) will issue them directly on behalf of DVSA.
Whether the Government has seen fit to print and distribute to Post Offices sufficient IDPs to ensure that everyone who is contemplating a trip abroad this year gets the opportunity to buy one remains to be seen...
yes there are plenty of sticks to beat the government with but please dont be a drama queen over non story like this.
theplayingmantis said:
i dont care either way on brexit, i just want it over one way or other as it boring but this smacks of project fear.
do you need an international license in the States, or Aus or other popular tourist destinations? States you dont, at least a couple of years back when hired RV.
maybe if you are resident there yes, fair enough, but not for holiday makers.
Recommended for lots of places - only Japan where I’ve needed one recently...do you need an international license in the States, or Aus or other popular tourist destinations? States you dont, at least a couple of years back when hired RV.
maybe if you are resident there yes, fair enough, but not for holiday makers.
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/driving-abroa...
Can’t say it’ll make a difference to me, I don’t drive in Europe as I generally only go there for work or city breaks.
I was reading the French government website yesterday, the translation reads.
In the event of there being a transitional agreement
If you are a tourist in France, you can drive for the duration of your stay with your driving license obtained by examination in the United Kingdom. International driving license is not required if you have a translation of your driver's license;
In the event of no transitional agreement
If you are a tourist in France, you can drive for the duration of your stay with your driving license obtained by examination in the United Kingdom. International driving licenses are not required if you have a translation of your driver's license.
So in either scenario, you may need to visit the post office, as others have said. That will also be the case if you are using the Tunnel to travel to Germany, Italy etc.as you will obviously pass through France.
I guess the other 27 could say something similar, but it is an area where subsidiarity applies, so they could also be very different.
Of course it may be that we never leave, so that could be a few quid wasted.
In the event of there being a transitional agreement
If you are a tourist in France, you can drive for the duration of your stay with your driving license obtained by examination in the United Kingdom. International driving license is not required if you have a translation of your driver's license;
In the event of no transitional agreement
If you are a tourist in France, you can drive for the duration of your stay with your driving license obtained by examination in the United Kingdom. International driving licenses are not required if you have a translation of your driver's license.
So in either scenario, you may need to visit the post office, as others have said. That will also be the case if you are using the Tunnel to travel to Germany, Italy etc.as you will obviously pass through France.
I guess the other 27 could say something similar, but it is an area where subsidiarity applies, so they could also be very different.
Of course it may be that we never leave, so that could be a few quid wasted.
The EU license regs only came into force in 1991.
Do you not remember being asked to provide a Bail Bond to drive your own car in Spain, for example?
Of course in those days you had a document check as you passed from France to Spain. Now they are both in Schengen area, so the potential for the local constabulary to mess up your holiday increases.
I suppose the simple answer is to drive an Astra, keep your head down and never cause them need to check your documents.
Do you not remember being asked to provide a Bail Bond to drive your own car in Spain, for example?
Of course in those days you had a document check as you passed from France to Spain. Now they are both in Schengen area, so the potential for the local constabulary to mess up your holiday increases.
I suppose the simple answer is to drive an Astra, keep your head down and never cause them need to check your documents.
Not being asked to present an International Driving Permit is not the same as not being legally required to carry one.
Tons of countries require one.
I’ve shown mine a couple of times when being stopped at a roadblock in Thailand and was let on my way after a flick through the pages. Strangely, it’s required to have one in Thailand, but there’s no Thai translation in it, so they have no idea what it says.
Tons of countries require one.
I’ve shown mine a couple of times when being stopped at a roadblock in Thailand and was let on my way after a flick through the pages. Strangely, it’s required to have one in Thailand, but there’s no Thai translation in it, so they have no idea what it says.
Philplop said:
Not being asked to present an International Driving Permit is not the same as not being legally required to carry one.
Tons of countries require one.
I’ve shown mine a couple of times when being stopped at a roadblock in Thailand and was let on my way after a flick through the pages. Strangely, it’s required to have one in Thailand, but there’s no Thai translation in it, so they have no idea what it says.
Fair point. I will think about getting one just in case if it is just a few quid.Tons of countries require one.
I’ve shown mine a couple of times when being stopped at a roadblock in Thailand and was let on my way after a flick through the pages. Strangely, it’s required to have one in Thailand, but there’s no Thai translation in it, so they have no idea what it says.
FWIW I suspect 99.999% of the time officials have no idea about the IDP and will never request one. I've been stopped while driving in numerous countries that apparently need an IDP. US a number of times for speeding (ahem). Oman for security checks in various locations, esp around Dhofar (near Yemen), Philippines (speeding - got off a 120k offence in a 100k zone, no bribe paid, no IDP needed). I think because the locals just have a piece of plastic for a licence they just see what they expect to see when handed our plastic licence.
Zulu 10 said:
Hopefully by now the other posters will have explained why an IDP may be needed in Europe post-Brexit.
but we all know they wont need one will they...maybe brexit will mean we all need yellow stickers for our lights agian too.
or maybe its a non story being mentioned for those who want claim brexit happening or not will cause all sorts of upheaval to joe bloggs, and will pick up any pointless non story to suit their pro or anti brexit agenda.
sigh
Riley Blue said:
Will we need to conceal the EU stars on number plates? Will cars in the remaining EU countries have to conceal just one star?
oooh i hadn't thought of that.i heard there will be a 75 EUR fine for any UK registered car driven in the EU, still showing the EUR flag on plates after brexit if the coverup stickers aren't used properly.
in addition the company selling these stickers is dependent on getting paper from Sweden to print them on, so will be a shortage after brexit. we all better get our orders in soon.
i also heard there will be a GBP 200 fine for doing the same in the UK, if plates still show EU stars then the fines levied as 'unpatriotic tax' and all revenue will go towards administration of the new rationing system that will be imposed 2 weeks after leave date, as we will have nothing of anything left in the country and will all die.
Riley Blue said:
Will we need to conceal the EU stars on number plates?
"Yeah, you f
king should!" etc. 
Riley Blue said:
Will cars in the remaining EU countries have to conceal just one star?
NO! Because they weren't issued / updated when countries joined, so there are 12 stars and not 27.
RC1807 said:
Riley Blue said:
Will we need to conceal the EU stars on number plates?
"Yeah, you fking should!" etc. Riley Blue said:
Will cars in the remaining EU countries have to conceal just one star?
NO! Because they weren't issued / updated when countries joined, so there are 12 stars and not 27.Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff