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Original poster

Arriving in UK and then driving to destination

45 replies

BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 20:57

Does anyone understand what the rule is for this?

We live abroad and generally drive home. Haven't been home in over 2 years now. Our families live in the Midlands, so we would get ferry or tunnel and then stop off at least once, usually twice on the way up. We have small kids so they would need a bit of a run around not to mention we all need a wee and something to eat.

I understand that with the current rules all of us over the age of 4 need to take a PCR test and quarantine in the place we're staying until that comes back negative.

Does that mean we are not allowed to stop off on the way? I can't see how we could avoid doing this. If that is the case then I think we won't be able to come unless that requirement is dropped again :(

OP posts:
Serenschintte · 02/12/2021 21:02

Well you can also take public transport from arriving in the uk.
No one will know and just do what you need to do.
At this point everyone who wanted to is double jabbed and a big proportion are bolstered
Enjoy your time in the uk - from a fellow Brit abroad. It’s not unreasonable to have your phone on flight mode when driving - less distraction when driving

allbartwo · 02/12/2021 21:12

I would say if you need to stop then you need to stop. Pretty easy to minimise contact.

Just don't accidentally wander into a packed nightclub I suppose...

Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:13

Why would we take public transport when we're driving in our car? I just want to know whether we can actually come into a motorway service station.

Not sure what the flight mode comment is in relation to sorry Confused

OP posts:
Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:14

Service stations on the M25 tend to be heaving. Not sure it would be that easy to avoid contact. Also I'm interested in what the rules actually say as I can't find any info about it. Or where to contact to find out.

OP posts:
dementedpixie · 02/12/2021 21:16

Where are you coming from?

Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:17

And I'm sure that nobody at the service station for example would pick us out as having recently arrived - but surely "they" do know otherwise where does the requirement to take a PCR test come from? There's a form you have to fill out on arrival, so presumably they know you're in the country thanks to that form.

OP posts:
Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:18

Europe, nowhere dodgy

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 02/12/2021 21:18

@BertieBotts

Why would we take public transport when we're driving in our car? I just want to know whether we can actually come into a motorway service station.

Not sure what the flight mode comment is in relation to sorry Confused

The poster is making the point that if you took public transport you could change trains etc as many times as you like. Similarly you can travel with as many stops as needed just be sensible and don’t do a detour to the Harry Potter studios.

Nobody will be checking.

Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:19

God I'd love to do that :o I was going to take DS1 for his 12th birthday! Maybe next year.

OP posts:
AppleDaily · 02/12/2021 21:20

Yes, you can stop, and even stay overnight en route:

"Long journeys to your quarantine accommodation
If you have a long journey within the UK to arrive at the place where you’ll be quarantining, you may be able to stop overnight in accommodation where you can quarantine yourself from others before continuing your journey.

You must follow the guidance on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must quarantine and provide the address of your overnight stop on your passenger locator form in addition to your declared accommodation address."

From www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#how-to-travel-to-the-place-where-youre-quarantining

dementedpixie · 02/12/2021 21:21

@BertieBotts

Europe, nowhere dodgy
I meant which actual country. Entry requirements can differ
Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:24

Ok Germany.

Thank you Apple, that does only seem to refer to overnight stops where you can continue the quarantine though. However maybe I can use that page as a starting point. Thank you!

OP posts:
jgw1 · 02/12/2021 21:25

@BertieBotts

Does anyone understand what the rule is for this?

We live abroad and generally drive home. Haven't been home in over 2 years now. Our families live in the Midlands, so we would get ferry or tunnel and then stop off at least once, usually twice on the way up. We have small kids so they would need a bit of a run around not to mention we all need a wee and something to eat.

I understand that with the current rules all of us over the age of 4 need to take a PCR test and quarantine in the place we're staying until that comes back negative.

Does that mean we are not allowed to stop off on the way? I can't see how we could avoid doing this. If that is the case then I think we won't be able to come unless that requirement is dropped again :(

Well you need the fortitude of a senior government advisor, sick wife and young child in that case. They managed to drive to Durham and back without stopping or needing to refuel.
karmapolicewoman · 02/12/2021 21:28

It's completely fine. So long as you are just stopping for toilets/food/rest and not detouring to visit people/theme parks etc. It's part of your journey to your destination.

We had to fly into london in summer 2020 as all direct flights from our country of residence to the north were cancelled. We did a car rental, overnight hotel (that part at that time was a bit tricky to get booked as they were essential stays only) and made our way up as safely as we could. There's enough to worry about and rest assured no one is checking on you that first day anyway. And even if they were you are legitimately en route.

gogohm · 02/12/2021 21:29

You can stop for essentials, fuel & toilets but not to eat in a restaurant fromwhat I understand from previously (service stations all have outside eating areas and food to take away). Your little one running around is fine outside as long as kept away from other people

AppleDaily · 02/12/2021 21:30

Yes, on rereading I was thinking the same.

You've probably considered it, but depending on you start/end points the Hook of Holland - Hull/ Harwich ferries can cut out lots of driving.

XenoBitch · 02/12/2021 21:31

A friend is coming from the EU this xmas... coming from Heathrow via train to car hire in the SW (is £1400 cheaper than getting a car at Heathrow!), stopping at mine, then driving down to his dads.
not sure how all this is going to work

gogohm · 02/12/2021 21:32

Last summer friends had to drive from Germany to the tunnel without stopping because Belgium and france were locked down - they managed with the kids. I would have drinks and snack in your car so you can stop at a rural park perhaps rather than busy services

dementedpixie · 02/12/2021 21:34

Strictly speaking you shouldn't be stopping off anywhere on the way to your final destination. If you do you should all wear masks and stay for as short a time as possible. Get food to take away rather than sit in

Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:34

No it doesn't cut us any driving, it would be loads more and the ferry is a lot more expensive.

I've just looked it up and if we miraculously miss any M25 traffic it could be around 3 hours which is probably doable in one go, but it has normally taken us about 5-6 hours because you inevitably do hit motorway traffic in the UK unless you drive through the middle of the night which wouldn't really work, we tend to do middle of the night this end.

We probably will skip Christmas anyway and come in march. I just had one of those sudden thoughts and can't sleep now trying to work it out. Even though it will probably not be required by the time we come! I just want to see my family :( we would have come this summer but couldn't because I was about to give birth.

OP posts:
Etinoxaurus · 02/12/2021 21:37

Come home but minimise stopping.

Original poster
BertieBotts · 02/12/2021 21:40

Also, getting food and sitting outside is a bit different in the summer to how it would be in December. Like I said probably moot anyway. Don't even have a passport for the baby yet due to delays. Just makes me feel a bit trapped like we can't possibly do it even if we did want to throw money at it etc. I hope they lift the quarantine requirement by march.

OP posts:
notimagain · 02/12/2021 21:47

I meant which actual country. Entry requirements can different

I think the OPs comment of “Europe” covers it…

Nowhere in Europe is ATM on the UK Red List so if the UK entry rules stay as they are AFAIK it’ll be the standard Non red list routine.

Sgtmajormummy · 02/12/2021 22:29

We’re travelling tomorrow. With the change from LFT to PCR things are a bit more complicated. And the two day window is open to interpretation. We’ve booked our PCR at Gatwick drive-through less than 2hrs after landing and we’re still looking at self isolation until 10pm the next day, if not 10am the following day.
Apart from toilet breaks we won’t be stopping and we’ve ordered shopping to be delivered the day we arrive.
But I can imagine less conscientious people going crazy on the first day and a half and then taking a test…

RuleWithAWoodenFoot · 02/12/2021 23:23

[quote AppleDaily]Yes, you can stop, and even stay overnight en route:

"Long journeys to your quarantine accommodation
If you have a long journey within the UK to arrive at the place where you’ll be quarantining, you may be able to stop overnight in accommodation where you can quarantine yourself from others before continuing your journey.

You must follow the guidance on how to stay safe and prevent the spread of COVID-19. You must quarantine and provide the address of your overnight stop on your passenger locator form in addition to your declared accommodation address."

From www.gov.uk/guidance/how-to-quarantine-when-you-arrive-in-england#how-to-travel-to-the-place-where-youre-quarantining[/quote]
This is all bonkers, isn't it.

OP - we're going to drive back from France. We're doing PCRs that need to be dropped off at Maidstone services in a dropbox on the way. So of course we'll be out of the car. We'll also likely do a quick M&S milk and other emergencies run in. Not sure how this is avoidable.

We're double vaxxed and have just had covid - recovery cert on our NHS app. Meh, can't get excited about the rules for this one.