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Brexit
Original poster

Driving in Europe after Brexit - IDP?

29 replies

MarmaladeTeepee · 22/02/2019 06:56

We are going to Holland on 6th April (ferry from Newcastle so not going through any other countries) and I understand in the event of a no deal we'll need an IDP. Has anyone had any experience of getting one of these? How long do they take to come through? They're only £5.50 so happy to get one in advance in case everything does turn to chaos, but just wanted to understand the process a bit better. TIA

OP posts:
Mistigri · 22/02/2019 07:31

There are people who have posted on twitter about doing it - if you have an account do a search. From what I remember there are two types so make sure you get the right one. It seems like post offices have been a bit under-trained for doing this so go at a quiet time of day, and leave yourself plenty of time.

bellinisurge · 22/02/2019 07:34

It should be a lot easier to track one down than it used to be.

Bunnybigears · 22/02/2019 07:39

My car insurance company just emailed me to say I can apply for a green card (is that the same thing) and they will provide it free of charge but takes 14 days to receive.

Peregrina · 22/02/2019 08:04

No. A green card is for Insurance, an IDP is a driving licence.
I hope that Leavers are enjoying this taking back control that they voted for.

Mistigri · 22/02/2019 08:06

You need both a green card from your insurer and an IDP (assuming no deal).

cherin · 22/02/2019 09:40

I thought the idp is needed even with a WA, or at least that’s how I interpreted the guidance note. Funnily enough, both DH and myself had EU driving licences that we converted into U.K. ones, and now there’s no certainty we’ll be able to convert them back to our original nations’ versions without sitting the exam again...(in reality we drive much more in the EU than in the U.K.)

BlackeyedGruesome · 22/02/2019 09:55

That's really crap. Hope you do not have to retake.

Original poster
MarmaladeTeepee · 22/02/2019 10:02

Thanks for all your replies. So does the IDP get issued straight away at the post office or do you need to get a form and then send it off? Didn't realise about the green card too I'll get in touch with my insurers, thank you bloody brexit

OP posts:
Original poster
MarmaladeTeepee · 22/02/2019 13:04

Just in case anyone else is looking into it, I braved the queues in the post office and the v grumpy woman behind the counter informed me they're available straight away you just need a passport photo and your driving licence. So I'm going to hold off for now and see what happens come 29th March.

OP posts:
Mistigri · 22/02/2019 13:43

Big risk you are taking .... If there is no deal, the post offices will be inundated; who knows if there will be enough paper licence forms available, or whether the whole system will collapse under demand from people with imminent holidays.

cherin · 22/02/2019 17:25

I’m going next week, then I’ll let you know, but I heard that there were only few post offices equipped with the forms. I work in central London, should be ok. Small places, better ask in advance...

stringbean · 22/02/2019 19:16

We got one from our local post office a couple of weeks ago. It wasn't a problem, but the process was almost comedic, licence filled out by hand, hand-stamped, with photo stuck on with a pritt stick. Given that all passports /DLs now have digital photos it all seems a bit old-fashioned ( should please those people keen to get their blue passports back though!!). Took 5-10 min as it clearly was not something they do very often, so caused a bit of a queue!!

wherearemychickens · 22/02/2019 19:45

Yup, exactly as stringbean says - very old school! You just need you take your driving licence and a passport photo to a post office that has the forms - you can look up which do and don't on the Post office website. Most countries in the EU are covered by the 1968 treaty driving licence, malta & spain need a different licence, so you may need two depending on where you are going. The Spain licence is valid for a year, the rest of the EU one is valid for three years. The guy in my post office date stamped them from 29th March 2019.

wherearemychickens · 22/02/2019 19:47

Each one is £5.50.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 22/02/2019 20:41

dh got his. It took the post office about 20 minutes of processing to sort it out. Partly because they couldn't remember where they had put the pritt stick.

Mistigri · 22/02/2019 20:49

It took the post office about 20 minutes of processing to sort it out. Partly because they couldn't remember where they had put the pritt stick.

This is brexit in a nutshell. Bodes well for no deal LOL.

KingIrving · 24/02/2019 18:37

This article explains is very well www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/feb/23/brexit-what-happens-the-next-day-if-there-is-no-deal
In 2 words, you need to take action NOW as it might take a month to process

onalongsabbatical · 24/02/2019 19:29

Partly because they couldn't remember where they had put the pritt stick. I might get deleted for this but personally I hope they've rammed it up Theresa May's arse.
And the spare one up Nigel Farage's.

OhYouBadBadKitten · 24/02/2019 20:17

Grin Sabbatical.

KingIrving, the green card is a separate issue. If you are taking your car into mainland Europe you may need a green card from your insurance company, as you say it could take a month to process AND may be only valid for 90 days.

dementedma · 24/02/2019 20:22

Eek.what is all this? Im flying to Belfast in May, pickong up a hire car and then driving into Eire for a few days before returning yo Belfast. What is this thing i need?

bellinisurge · 24/02/2019 20:27

I don't think you need one yet for Ireland (please call it Ireland)

KingIrving · 24/02/2019 20:28

@dementedma It seems like you will have to buy an International Driving Permit. It is not expensive, you'd better apply now.

bellinisurge · 24/02/2019 20:45

www.postoffice.co.uk/international-driving-permit

Don't think you need one YET for Ireland

drcb83 · 24/02/2019 21:08

I went and got mine yesterday. It depressed me so much that a lady had to use a prit stick to make up an official document that I need to have because of glorious fucking brexit! It looks like a ration book - or something I may use to get from East to West Berlin. Pretty sure my face says it all!!

Driving in Europe after Brexit - IDP?
Driving in Europe after Brexit - IDP?
OhYouBadBadKitten · 24/02/2019 21:11

The others are correct you don't need one for Ireland.

drcb83, it makes me want to cry.