Driving in EU after 29/3/19 - UK government statement 14/1/19

[jacquigem]

I'd just pay the fine if I got stopped in your circumstances. Why spoil your holiday for a few Euros?

Might depend on the size of fine . One of our walking groups recently fined 1000 Euro when they allegedly wandered off course on a walk they had done many times before. Also hearing of people being caught without their passports on them being fined 250 Euro . Seems like the Spanish police might be ramping up the pressure ?

 

[John H]

International Driving Permits are required for many countries around the world. The IDP is a translation of your national driving licence and is only valid if you have both together. In some instances agreements have been made to allow the use of national driving licences unsupported by the IDP. This is the case in the EU. From the 28 Mar 19 this agreement with the EU will come to an end and the Vienna Convention Rules will apply. There are 3 conventions made in 1926, 1949 and 1968 and the type of IDP required to drive in a country depends on which convention that country has signed up to. Not all EU countries have adopted the latest 1968 version. For most countries the 1968 version will suffice but a few such as Spain require one of the others.

Full details can be found here including which countries accept which version.
International driving permits for UK drivers from 28 March 2019 - GOV.UK

The 1968 version can be obtained from Post Offices from 1 Feb 19. You need a passport photo, your original driving licence, ID and the fee of 5.50. The RAC and AA will cease issuing IDPs of any type after the 31 Jan 19

Just one point to add to that excellent summary - if we leave the EU with a deal on March 29th, the transition period will kick in and nothing will change until December 2020. That is, if we get a deal!

 

[alcam]

Might depend on the size of fine . One of our walking groups recently fined 1000 Euro when they allegedly wandered off course on a walk they had done many times before. Also hearing of people being caught without their passports on them being fined 250 Euro . Seems like the Spanish police might be ramping up the pressure ?

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence ?
You think the Spanish police are being used to pressurise Brits because of ****** ? Bit of a stretch there .

 

[antiquesam]

Yes France and Spain are on different documents so if you come down to Spain from the tunnel I think you will need both

Might depend on the size of fine . One of our walking groups recently fined 1000 Euro when they allegedly wandered off course on a walk they had done many times before. Also hearing of people being caught without their passports on them being fined 250 Euro . Seems like the Spanish police might be ramping up the pressure ?

I'm afraid the Spaniards count traffic fines as a road tax on foreigners. While driving commercially I was weighed at the border at least once every trip, despite driving an empty flatbed. They regularly stopped me to check I had all my documents and equipment. At least in France it was only the Douane stopping me to ask what I was carrying

 

[shortcircuit]

Spoke to my insurance company concerning green card and was advised that info on insurance certificate is ok. They can provide a green card, however, £20. Suggested I wait until after 29th March? and see what happens.

 

[jacquigem]

Not sure what you mean by your last sentence ?
You think the Spanish police are being used to pressurise Brits because of ****** ? Bit of a stretch there .

No I'm sure its just coincidental but we hadn't heard of this happening in previous years. My main point was that some of the fines out here can be more than just a few euros so take care

 

[Deleted member 9849]

Spoke to my insurance company concerning green card and was advised that info on insurance certificate is ok. They can provide a green card, however, £20. Suggested I wait until after 29th March? and see what happens.

I also spoke to my insurance company today(Caravan Guard)and was advised that nothing has changed and I do not need a green card at present even though I leave the UK before ''B'' day and return in April after ''B''day,unless there is an extension of course.

 

[alcam]

No I'm sure its just coincidental but we hadn't heard of this happening in previous years. My main point was that some of the fines out here can be more than just a few euros so take care

Sorry it read , to me , as if Spanish police were in on the great ****** plot .
As pointed out on another post it is a money making policy .

 

[jacquigem]

Now you come to mention it I have heard of some fines being reduced or disapearing altogether if you insist on a receipt , mind it was happening before ****** I think