Driving in EU After ******

Markd

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Whilst we have a lot of discussion about getting the right paperwork for our pets I've not noticed many comments of needing new paperwork for driving licences and insurance.

I understand that regardless of when the journey starts UK driving licences will cease to be valid on 1st Jan.
Presumably green cards will also be required?
 
Your U.K. driving licence will still be valid and must still be carried. But you will also need an IDP (international driving permit). They’ve been around for decades for those of us who drive outside Europe. Cost about £5 from a Post Office. Absolutely dead simple and zero hassle.
 
Rolyan57 said:
Your U.K. driving licence will still be valid and must still be carried. But you will also need an IDP (international driving permit). They’ve been around for decades for those of us who drive outside Europe. Cost about £5 from a Post Office. Absolutely dead simple and zero hassle.
Click to expand...
Does cost I think a fiver and the lady at our post office took at least 30 minutes to complete with angry customers behind us.
 
What documents do I need to drive in France and Spain 2021? (petebarden.co.uk) This article sums up the current situation very well. In short, if there is no deal you will need an IDP in France but not in Spain. Spain has said that, regardless of a deal or no deal, they will not require an IDP for the first 9 months and, after that, only if you are staying in Spain 6 months (which will be impossible for those of us who are simple tourists). Thus it looks likely that you won't have to worry about an IDP in Spain at all in the future. Green Cards will be required but they can easily be obtained free of charge from your insurer.
 
I am not to sure on this so please look into it my son said something about you will only be allowed 30 days in an EU country as my son wants to come over for 3 months after Christmas I am going to see if I can find out more this end next week :(
 
kenspain said:
I am not to sure on this so please look into it my son said something about you will only be allowed 30 days in an EU country as my son wants to come over for 3 months after Christmas I am going to see if I can find out more this end next week :(
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Not quite sure to what you refer, if it's the International Driving Permit, each country requires separate listing. If your refering to us as a Third Country in reference to nine Visa travel into Europe it's 90 days in any 180 days. (In the main). Schengen Zone countries
I do not know the answer coming from Europe into the UK , as reciprocal agreements are in flux.
 
You can get a double liicence for 3 years online £60 suited me for now but if you only need 1 the £5 at a PO is better value even if it is x2
 
We did international permit/driving licenses for Spain and Portugal in 2018/19 the Spanish one Ron had to point out the weight category as we needed C1 we are 3850 the assistant had got it wrong, if that had been wrong and the Spanish police pulled us over who knows, they like their bit of pocket money.
And yes it takes quiet a while to fill in we where there a good half hour plus for four licenses.They could get if they have to do lots more.
 
Very confused information about this, particularly from gov site
www.gov.uk

Driving abroad

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after ******.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Look like, after Jan 1st an IDP not needed in Spain, Portugal and France! But others say they are needed. Did all this too in 2018/19. Happy to do it but just wish information was consistent. Or maybe I am reading it wrongly?
 
REC said:
Very confused information about this, particularly from gov site
Look like, after Jan 1st an IDP not needed in Spain, Portugal and France! But others say they are needed. Did all this too in 2018/19. Happy to do it but just wish information was consistent. Or maybe I am reading it wrongly?
Click to expand...
Seem straight forward enough to me on that site IDP's aren't needed for EU countries people who bought them last year only panicked they weren't needed then either
 
REC said:
Very confused information about this, particularly from gov site
www.gov.uk

Driving abroad

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after ******.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Look like, after Jan 1st an IDP not needed in Spain, Portugal and France! But others say they are needed. Did all this too in 2018/19. Happy to do it but just wish information was consistent. Or maybe I am reading it wrongly?
Click to expand...

Looks like the only frequently visited places by UK drivers where IDP's will be needed is Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.
If I'm reading list correctly.
 
Thanks for extra info everyone - I was a little casual in saying licences becoming 'invalid'.
Obviously I did meant insufficient in themselves for use in the EU.
 
mark61 said:
Looks like the only frequently visited places by UK drivers where IDP's will be needed is Andorra, Monaco and San Marino.
If I'm reading list correctly.
Click to expand...
It states that an IDP is not needed at present but clearly states that this may change after January 1st. At present it looks as though an IDP will be needed in Europe and I seem to remember reading elsewhere that you may need a different one for Spain and France though I cannot confirm this. A greennncard will be required as it stands at present plus your EHIC will not be valid so travel insurance will become a necessity. This could change at the eleventh hour though....
 
Plan for the worst and hope for the best 😀
IDP and green card are easy and cheap-free to get regardless.
Biggest hurdle is likely to covid19 restriction?
 
REC said:
Very confused information about this, particularly from gov site
www.gov.uk

Driving abroad

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after ******.
www.gov.uk www.gov.uk
Look like, after Jan 1st an IDP not needed in Spain, Portugal and France! But others say they are needed. Did all this too in 2018/19. Happy to do it but just wish information was consistent. Or maybe I am reading it wrongly?
Click to expand...

That document simply says that you don't need an IDP in the EU at present but rules may change after 1st January. In other words, it is of no use at all! Whether or not you need an IDP in any particular country is a decision made by that country. Spain has said you will not need them (unless staying longer than six months) but I am not aware of any other EU country having made a decision. Mind you, that is probably because I have not gone out of my way to find out because it is Spain that I am immediately interested in. To find out whether other countries have made a decision you need to search their government websites. That will either give you a definitive answer or tell you that they haven't decided.
 
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Even on this forum it seems that some think that no IDP needed after Jan 1st and others read it as until ****** date! Should be unequivocally stated but then it isn't ....getting one for France but can't help feeling it won't be needed!
 
Markd said:
Plan for the worst and hope for the best 😀
IDP and green card are easy and cheap-free to get regardless.
Biggest hurdle is likely to covid19 restriction?
Click to expand...
That was exactly my thinking.

I could see Post Offices becoming busier should an IDP ever become necessary. The day I went, there was only one other customer.

I've kept both my parent's WWII paperwork, and my IDP will become another curiosity for our boys when I fall off my perch.
 
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