Author Topic: UK driving licences  (Read 9724 times)

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Offline Maik

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UK driving licences
« on: Thursday, 22 February, 2018 @ 19:01:53 »
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UK driving licences may no longer be recognised in Europe after Brexit, EU suggests

British drivers could be stopped from travelling on the continent after Brexit because UK driving licences will no longer be recognised, the European Commission has suggested.

Failure to secure a deal on transport during the negotiations would see the mutual recognition of licences among member states withdrawn, meaning travellers would also potentially be unable to hire cars or take out insurance.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2018/02/22/uk-driving-licences-may-no-longer-recognised-europe-brexit-eu/


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Officials have insisted that it was not the government’s intention for UK drivers to need IDPs in Europe, but in an EU notice issued last month, the European commission said: “A driving licence issued by the United Kingdom will no longer be recognised by the member states.”

Without a recognised licence, travellers to Europe could find themselves unable to hire cars or take insurance, as has happened in some US states such as Florida, although some countries may choose not to enforce the convention.

The paper-based IDP can currently be obtained from a limited number of post offices as well as the AA and RAC for a charge of £5.50 and after tackling various bureaucratic hurdles.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/feb/08/no-deal-brexit-would-trigger-wave-of-red-tape-for-uk-drivers-and-hauliers


Hard to imagine Greece banning Brit tourists from hiring cars, but the requirement to have an International Driving Permit looks possible at the moment.

At some time in the furture Brits resident in Greece *might* need to convert their UK licence to a Greek licence:
Converting a valid driving licence issued by a EU Member State into the corresponding Greek licence

Offline TonyD

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Re: UK driving licences
« Reply #1 on: Thursday, 22 February, 2018 @ 22:20:10 »
For goodness sake!!!
We were driving around Europe well before we joined even the EEC let alone the EU
How many more scare stories can they possibly come up with?
I know UK teenagers who believe they've been consigned to never leave Britain.

Offline Misty

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Re: UK driving licences
« Reply #2 on: Thursday, 22 February, 2018 @ 22:56:45 »
Do drivers from countries such as Australia, USA, Norway, Iceland etc have to get IDP's  at the moment to drive within the EU?

Offline Maik

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Re: UK driving licences
« Reply #3 on: Friday, 23 February, 2018 @ 01:23:06 »
Do drivers from countries such as Australia, USA, Norway, Iceland etc have to get IDP's  at the moment to drive within the EU?

Broadly, yes. But seems to vary EU country to EU country. Officially an IDP is required in Greece for non-EU licences, e.g. American.  Looks like non-EU nationals don't need one to drive in UK, they can drive on their national licence for 12 months: see.

Driving in Great Britain on a non-GB licence


I know UK teenagers who believe they've been consigned to never leave Britain.

OMG! The bar owners of Laganas, Faliraki and Ayia Napa will be destitute!
« Last Edit: Friday, 23 February, 2018 @ 01:25:15 by Maik »

Offline Jolly Roger

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Re: UK driving licences
« Reply #4 on: Friday, 23 February, 2018 @ 08:50:22 »
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At some time in the furture Brits resident in Greece *might* need to convert their UK licence to a Greek licence:

It is already law that you should hold a driving licence for the EU country you are resident in.


Offline Maik

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Re: UK driving licences
« Reply #5 on: Friday, 23 February, 2018 @ 11:15:31 »
Hm, only if your UK licence has expired or been lost/stolen/damaged. Otherwise your UK-issued licence is valid within the EU (...so far). If the EU stops accepting UK licences (hard to imagine but...) then British residents might have to change their licences sooner rather than later.

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EU driving licences

If your driving licence is issued by an EU country, it's recognised throughout the EU.

So if you move to another EU country, you won't usually have to exchange your licence. You can drive in your new country on your current licence as long as:

    it is valid
    you are old enough to drive a vehicle of the equivalent category
    it is not suspended or restricted and has not been revoked in the issuing country.

The categories AM, A1, A2, A, B, BE, B1, C1, C1E, C, CE, D1, D1E, D and DE are also recognised in other EU countries.

Check the rules and exceptions on driving licence renewal and exchange when moving to another EU country.

When your driving licence expires, you must renew it in the country where you have your usual residence.

Your new licence may have a different validity period and will be subject to any restrictions or conditions that apply in your new country.

10 years: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom

15 years: Austria, Cyprus, Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, Greece, Poland, Slovakia
https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/vehicles/driving-licence/driving-licence-recognition-validity/index_en.htm