EU Driving Licences post Brexit article

[wanderer]

New documents published by the European Commission show that they will reject UK driving licences as being valid for use in the EU after Brexit and intend to charge a fee for drivers in the form of a driving permit to be able to drive on the continent.

In the report, it seems that after Brexit formally happens, there will no longer be ‘mutual recognition of driving licences, vehicle registration documents and certificates of professional competence for drivers. All current EU law-based rights, obligations and benefits cease, meaning that our current driving regulations in relation to driving in the EU will change, but to what extent is currently unknown.

If no negotiations for licence recognition are put in place, then UK drivers may have to register for an International Driving Permit (IDP) to be able to drive in the EU member states. While contingency plans are being put in place to help protect British drivers, there will most certainly be a change to our driving laws as Brexit negotiations go through, which the EU state “is a consequence of the UK becoming a third country in the road transport sector.”

What does this actually mean?
After Brexit happens, anyone who wants to drive in EU member states might have to register for an IDP. The International Driving Permit – an official multilingual licence, would need to be shown if pulled over when driving in the EU. These are currently in place around the globe, with 140 countries currently recommending or requiring one. Because Britain is becoming what is known as a ‘third country’ which is simply a country that is not part of the EU, we will have to anticipate this change.

As well as potentially stopping drivers from bringing their cars abroad, the new agreements may also prevent you hiring a car with a UK licence. It is thought that an additional permit may be required to allow you to hire a car and a further cost. At the moment, hiring a car in Europe has the same restrictions as in the UK and no charges, but it looks like that could all change after Brexit.

[frontalman]

Bloomin' ell, I better get that mountain bike after all.

[PoshinDevon]

Thanks for that Wanderer. Interesting read.

It would probably be in the best interests of all if current arrangements were to continue as I presume the U.K. would place similar restrictions on those with driving licences from EU countries.

All part of the negotiating process one would hope.

[pc4854]

Although this is a possibility, it need not be so. Last year I went to Thailand who are not EU and my UK driving license was accepted without question. I'm sure this is the case in a lot of other countries. Also if this is adopted people in Belfast driving to Dublin will find a "hard" boarder, so how could that be policed?

[Mimi2]

Have any of you seen how many overseas registered vehicles enter the UK everyday at Dover?
I'm sure there will be a reciprocal agreement?
Stop scare moungering!!!!

[wanderer]

The article is stating where we are at .My sons other half is German with an English father so has dual citizenship .She has just bought a car and for test drives the puzzled look on dealers faces with her German EU licence when the scurred off to check if she could test drive
I believe if you live in South Cyprus they have your UK licence off you and turn it into an roc licence how will that work

[jimm]

If they reject the UK licenses after Brexit then we will probably revert to the old International driving permit available from the Post office and the RAC/AA like we used too. Do not see any problem

[jayceebee]

If they reject the UK licenses after Brexit then we will probably revert to the old International driving permit available from the Post office and the RAC/AA like we used too. Do not see any problem

But the amount of people driving overseas pre 1970s was so much less than nowadays?

Also, not so easy for those of us here in TRNC to get one for trips to Republic of Cyprus?

[Hector]

Will the EU, with its central political mantra of 'free movement' for EU citizens really want to go down this route of no longer accepting UK licences bearing in mind it would work both ways? I very much doubt it.

[jimm]

I had to get one for driving in Brazil in the ninety's, also it is preferred to have one if you are driving in the old soviet states like Kazakhstan etc. Very easy to get through the internet and the RAC/AA will post them out.