Friday, 29 Nov 2024

First picture of new Brexit driving licence as DVLA steps up preparations for no deal

The International Driving Permit (IDP), issued by the Post Office, will be needed by UK drivers to travel abroad if Britain leaves the European Union. Each new licence, will be valid for three years from the date it is issued. If and when the UK does eventually leave the EU, it will likely become more difficult for motorists to drive in Europe, with several additional documents required in some instances.

Currently, UK driving licence holders living in the UK need an IDP in addition to their own driving licence to travel in some countries outside the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

They can also drive in all EU and EEA countries using their UK driving licence.

The UK issues three types of IDP to licence holders who live in the UK: the 1926 IDP, the 1949 IDP and 1968 IDP.

If there is a Brexit deal, UK licence holders will be able to drive in all EU and EEA countries using the current licence.

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But in the event of a no deal Brexit, the Government’s publication says: “The Government will seek to put in place new arrangements for EU and EEA countries to recognise UK driving licences when people are visiting, for example on holiday or business trips.

“Until such arrangements are in place, UK driving licence holders may need an IDP in addition to their UK driving licence to drive when visiting EU and EEA countries

“Each EU and EEA country will decide if they require a foreign driver to have an IDP, in addition to a driving licence, to legally drive in their country.

“In some circumstances you may need more than one IDP. For example, when driving through France (1968 IDP) to Spain (1949 IDP).”

From April 12, if there is no withdrawal agreement in place, drivers may need a 1968 IDP to drive in one of 24 EU and EEA countries.

These are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia and Sweden.

If there is no Brexit deal in place by April 12, drivers could require a 1949 IDP to drive in Cyprus, Iceland, Malta and Spain.

Ireland has ratified the 1949 road traffic convention but does not require foreign drivers to carry an IDP, in addition to their own driving licence.

It means motorists holding a UK driving licence will not need an IDP to drive in Ireland from April 12.

The three types of IDP can be bought over the counter from 2,500 pPost Office branches nationwide at a cost of £5.50 each.

But the Government has advised motorists using a UK driving licence and living in the EU and EEA will not be able to use an IDP to guarantee their UK licence will be recognised in that country.

The advice says: “If you wish to continue to drive, you should exchange your UK licence with a local licence, where this option exists.

“While the UK is a member of the EU, UK driving licences are directly exchangeable for EU and EEA country licences.

“From 12 April 2019, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, this licence exchange arrangement will stop.

“Instead you will need to re-take your driving test in the EU country where you live to be able to carry on driving there.

“If you exchange your licence, you will be able to re-gain your UK licence when you return to live in the UK, provided you passed your driving test in the UK or a designated country.”

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