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AIBU?

To not know what to do re International Driving License

83 replies

narisha99 · 02/04/2019 15:39

We are going on holiday on Friday and won't be back until mid April - We are driving across Europe so potentially need an International Driving License if we leave the EU when we are away.

Tried my local post office last week, they had run out of forms and assured me they would have them by today. Tried today and now they estimate Thursday, we leave Friday at 7.30am! I'll try a few other local branches to see if they have them (post office lady thought that was unlikely). So what do we do if there are no forms on Thursday!

What are the implications of driving in Germany, Netherlands & France without an international license? Have got no idea what to do if we can't get the form - cancelling the holiday seems a little extreme!

OP posts:

Report

doIreallyneedto · 02/04/2019 17:14

@mum11970 - It will probably be fine. Don’t think everyone abroad with an EU license will suddenly be driving illegally, there is bound to be a change over period.

Of course people driving abroad with EU licences will be fine. However, once Brexit happens, a UK licence will no longer be an EU licence and will not be included in any international deals that recognise EU licences.

If there is a no deal brexit, UK licences will not be accepted in most countries so you will need an international driving licence. A change over period would require that minor little detail that your politicians are refusing to engage with: a deal.

FuriousCheekyFucker · 02/04/2019 17:26

@Lifecraft
If we had no deal with those countries, you would need an international licence. If we leave the EU with no deal, we will have, no deal. The clue is in the words "no" & "deal".

Oh that'll be absolutely awful for my neighbours if its reciprocal.

They haven't taxed or MOTd their fleet of knackered and dangerous old LHD Romanian cars in years.

scaryteacher · 02/04/2019 17:31

Having managed to hold on to my UK licence for the past 13 years, I finally changed it for a Belgian one last week. All the HM Forces personnel and their families here are being issued with International Driving Permits/licences, and a special addition to their passport to show they have right of residence here, plus their protocol ID cards.

RedForShort · 02/04/2019 17:52

The OP isn't wrong as a holder of a British driving licence, she'll need an International Driving Permit to drive in Europe (Ireland is the only exception I think) if there's no deal. It's a well noted fact.

@narisha99 there a notice on the post office website about the storage of IDPs:

www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit#IDP-Checker

You're best course of action is visiting POs until you find one that has them in stock.

CherryPavlova · 02/04/2019 17:58

I have mine as we are driving in France in April. There are two different licenses and which you need is dependent on where you are driving.

The post office woman told us Italy is planning to confiscate cars of people without an international permit until such time as the driver passes a theory test in Italy, post Brexit. Other countries are liable to impose a fixed penalty on the spot.

We’ve also been advised to ensure we have a green card. Talk about back to the 1950s!

doIreallyneedto · 02/04/2019 18:02

@CherryPavlova - The post office woman told us Italy is planning to confiscate cars of people without an international permit until such time as the driver passes a theory test in Italy, post Brexit.

You've got to love the Italians😁

Can't see that happening though.

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 02/04/2019 18:04

@Donnasaurus can I pick your brains? I'm already in France, could I post my driving licence and photo to my family in the UK so they could get an international one, or do I have to go in person?

pigsDOfly · 02/04/2019 18:05

My car insurance company wrote to me a few weeks ago about this and told me that they can arrange this for me. Unless I've misunderstood as I did just skim read it very quickly.

Maybe have a word with your insurance company OP.

doIreallyneedto · 02/04/2019 19:05

@pigsDOfly - My car insurance company wrote to me a few weeks ago about this and told me that they can arrange this for me. Unless I've misunderstood as I did just skim read it very quickly.

I would say they wrote to you about a green card for insurance, not driving licence.

RedForShort · 02/04/2019 19:08

Speaking of insurance the European Health Insurance Card may not be valid for British Citizens after the 12th either. Check your travel insurance has health cover too.

Donnasaurus · 02/04/2019 19:14

Midlife, I actually didn't know so I've just had to ask my WhatsApp group and evidently yes you can you just need to sign it when you have it

narisha99 · 02/04/2019 19:15

Phew all sorted, after travelling around 5! post offices DH managed to get the permits !

Green card organised as well - so hopefully we are set for brexit!

Thanks everyone

OP posts:

pigsDOfly · 02/04/2019 19:16

doIreallyneedto. Oops yes, I've just looked at it, you're right, green card. I didn't really read it at the time because I'm very unlikely to drive abroad.

I know we'll need an international licence if we leave without a deal and want to drive in Europe, somehow my head translated it into that.

Sorry about my pointless post. OP.

Janek · 02/04/2019 19:20

@MidLifeCrisis2017 Don't you need your driving licence with you at all times to drive in France? So if you are stopped they expect you to show it right away. That has always been my understanding.

Iflyaway · 02/04/2019 19:32

@CherryPavlova - The post office woman told us Italy is planning to confiscate cars of people without an international permit until such time as the driver passes a theory test in Italy, post Brexit. You've got to love the Italians😁 Can't see that happening though.

Can't see that happening though.

Fact is, you don't KNOW what is happening when UK is no longer in the EU.

You'll be in the queue with the rest of the world outside it.
That's the reality of Brexit.

MidLifeCrisis2017 · 02/04/2019 19:32

@Donnasaurus thanks!

@Janek yes, theoretically, but I rarely drive and I'm so remote I don't generally see another car, let alone a gendarme. Surprisingly the post is really good, letters have only been taking two days to get here or back. Got a friend coming over so they can bring it if it's quick.

What a mess.

Janek · 02/04/2019 19:38

Mess. Yes that's definitely the word!

doIreallyneedto · 02/04/2019 19:53

@Iflyaway - Fact is, you don't KNOW what is happening when UK is no longer in the EU. You'll be in the queue with the rest of the world outside it.

Nope. I'll be in the queue with all the other EU nationals. I'm Irish.

Babynut1 · 02/04/2019 20:41

You’ll probably need a green card for insurance. Some companies have been really on the ball and are issuing them already.
I prob wouldn’t travel without a permit for your licence. Phone around each post office every day x

endofthelinefinally · 02/04/2019 20:43

Martyn Lewis is discussing this now on ITV.
Post office should have all the information.

Blueowls · 02/04/2019 21:01

I thought you had to go to the Post Office in person?

Blueowls · 02/04/2019 21:05

Oh no, ignore me, says on PO website someone can do it on your behalf with correct supporting documents.

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SofiaAmes · 02/04/2019 21:06

I live in the USA and have driven all over Europe for 35+ years without an International Driving License, but this year for the very first time when I booked the rental car in Italy, the rental documents stated that I must have an International Driving License, so I duly got one. Not quite sure why things have changed...Brexit shouldn't impact the need for a Dual American/Italian Citizen to need an International Driving License. But you never know with the Italians.

Butteredghost · 02/04/2019 21:09

This thread is a complete misunderstanding of what an international driving permit is. It isn't a licence or permit in itself. It's simply an official translation of your normal licence in to a few different languages.

It is meant to help if you interact with police or car hire staff that don't speak English, but it has no legal standing.

Karwomannghia · 02/04/2019 21:11

I got one but won’t actually need it as Brexit won’t be happening while I’m away. Wonder if I can get a refund?
At the car hire desk I did mention I had one and she said oh no it’s only for Asia and Africa (it’s not you need one for Spain post brexit). I got the feeling legislation will take a while to catch up and it also occurred to me how all these other countries are going to have to make so many changes to their systems as well because of this.

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