Driving in EU post-******

[antiquesam]

I have needed a few IDP's over the years. Easy to obtain but rarely checked.

I have also needed to exchange Currency as I passed through various European Countries and show my Passport at each countries Border. It was hell ... pure Hell .... at least some people imagine it will be soon. :lol-049:

Once into the Schengen area you should not need to show a passport, hence every illegal immigrant can tour Europe at will once they've smuggled themselves into Europe.

 

[shaunr68]

I was just wondering, how many of us here have actually had an International Driving Permit? I had one years ago when I went to Turkey And also in my early trucking days. It was never checked!

I had one to drive in Russia 4 years ago. A country that is famous for its beurocracy, as a legacy of the communist era. I had to visit the Russian Consulate in London to have my fingerprints and iris scans taken in order to get a 30 day tourist visa. On entering the country passports are checked, visas checked, driving licence, V5, vehicle VIN and engine numbers checked, various forms completed including temporary import docs for the MH. Pet passports checked and vehicle thoroughly inspected inside and out. While in the country we had to have our visas stamped by the authorities to confirm we were where the visa application said we'd be. On leaving the country the whole palaver is repeated - 2 hours of document checks and inspections to make sure everything was in order before being allowed to drive over the border into Estonia.

At no point did they even bother to ask for an International Driving Permit! I felt a bit cheated having paid for one. I think the talk of requiring an IDP to drive in Europe is just more ****** scaremongering tbh.

 

[colinm]

I was just wondering, how many of us here have actually had an International Driving Permit? I had one years ago when I went to Turkey And also in my early trucking days. It was never checked!

I had one 30 years ago for a round the world trip, can't remember if it was ever checked

Got one from the post office three years ago to cover hire car in USA. Simple enough and even (just) managed to use it as photo ID on a flight to Ireland when my passport was being renewed and I still only had a paper driving licence. Only just worked though.....

I've never had a IDP for driving in the US, it wasn't until I checked up after reading this thread I realised I might need one in some states.

 

[Polar Bear]

According to the RAC it is not possible to obtain the relevant IDP in the UK at present. Presumably since there is no requirement.

The IDP required by the majority of EU countries is not issued by the Post Office or the RAC ...

Is The International Driver's License of ITCA | Global | Apply Online Now any help?

 

[Fazerloz]

Is The International Driver's License of ITCA | Global | Apply Online Now any help?

You could well be fine with it, but legally no. It would depend on how pedantic the cop was.
From their site
[FONT=avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496]ITCA IDD must be differentiated from the government issued International Driver Permit IDP or International driving license IDL. IDP/IDL is valid in all countries that have signed the UN, [/FONT][FONT=avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496]1968[/FONT][FONT=avenir-lt-w01_35-light1475496] Conventions on Road Traffic and is recognized in many countries that are not signatories to the Convention. You may be required to have an international driver's license to drive in some countries. Most foreign car rental agencies may require you to have one to rent a car. However; ITCA IDD is unofficial ID card and booklet that provide a translation of your driver's license that is meant to help you surpass the languages barriers. It is your responsibility to check with your destination country relevant authorities on what documents are needed to drive.[/FONT]

 

[Canalsman]

Driving in the EU if there's no ****** deal - GOV.UK

This is the government's official statement.

An extract:

The 1949 convention IDP lasts for 12 months. After 28 March 2019 in the EU, a UK issued 1949 IDP would be recognised in Ireland, Spain, Malta and Cyprus.

The 1968 convention IDP is valid for 3 years, or for however long your driving licence is valid, if that date is earlier. The UK ratified the 1968 convention on 28 March 2018, as a part of our EU exit preparations. The 1968 convention will come into force for the UK on 28 March 2019. After 28 March 2019, a UK issued 1968 convention IDP would be recognised in all other EU countries, plus Norway and Switzerland.

So this confirms that the 1968 convention version is not in effect till 29 March 2019.

I agree that at present the IDP is probably checked infrequently if you are driving somewhere that requires it.

However given the possibly acrimonious departure from the EU I wouldn't be at all surprised if EU police forces would as a consequence focus on the need to have such ...

 

[GWAYGWAY]

I do not know why you worry about the driving licence thing, it has always been that theUK licence was valid in the UK as was every other country in Europe.
First thing We Probably will not Leave unless Lord Rothschild says we will. The MPs will stop it.
NEXT THING is not driving licence , but the need for the CARNET de PASSAGE, we needed to have one for EVERY lorry and trailer in the fleet. They cost a bloody fortune to pay the insurance to pay the duty should the vehicle NOT be stamped in and out of every customs pos the lorry went through. You did not need one for a car, but caravans did as did all commercial vehicle. We had to deposit about a hundred thousand pound guarantee with the AA and Ispent my time checking validity and getting replacements when the pages ran out. They were A pain in the butt. I had to drivetoLa guanquera??? Once with a replacement when Franco’s finest impounded an artic for not having enough pages to carry on. There were four left but they said it wasn’t enough. Bit like having to have 6 months on a passport for a week away.
That should be your worry, if they good bloody over the duty business, 70%overtotal value for the unit and the same for the trailer.