Plan ahead for driving abroad
As millions of motorists contemplate Channel- hopping this year, those who have not driven abroad for a while may be wondering one thing: Have we reverted to the Green Card since Brexit?
Luckily, you still do not require a Green Card, when driving your car in the EEA, EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, and Switzerland.[1] What you do need to take is your motor insurance certificate, driving licence and vehicle log book (V5C). If it is a leased car, you will need a VE103 certificate.
What else you need may depend on whether you only have a paper driving licence or one issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man. If so, you may also need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in some EU countries and Norway.[2]
An IDP may also be required by anyone hiring a car in other countries. Different IDPs are required by different national governments, so check carefully which is needed.
If you are a commercial driver working for a UK-based company, you need a valid UK driving licence for the type of vehicle driven and must carry a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) card and healthcare documents. Follow driver hours and tachograph rules, if driving a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes.[3]
The Green Card is not completely phased out and still required in Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Israel, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, and Ukraine – plus the popular tourism destination of Turkey. Any use of a trailer in these countries also requires its own Green Card.
A Green Card must be printed, even if sent to you electronically. Contact your insurance provider at least six weeks before travelling to arrange it. Should your insurance policy renew during your trip, you will need a Green Card per policy.
Trailers must display their own registration plate, and may need a trailer registration certificate, if commercial (over 750kg) or over 3,500kg otherwise.[4] This £26 document is not required in Spain, Malta, Liechtenstein or Cyprus.[5]
A vehicle driven abroad (other than in Ireland) must display a compliant UK identifier sticker. In some countries, this is waived, if its number plate carries the Union Jack flag, but not in Spain, Cyprus or Malta.[6]
Before travelling, read up on local driving, drink driving and speed limit rules. Do you need to keep lights switched on? Do trams or cyclists have priority? What is France’s priorité à droite?
Many countries require you to carry reflective jackets, to be donned in any emergency breakdown. Headlight beam converter stickers, spare bulbs and tools to fit them, at least one warning triangle, a breathalyser and snow chains may also be requirements. France will also fine any use of a radar-detecting device, and even a sat nav, showing speed camera locations.[6]
Check with your credit card company whether your card will be accepted at petrol stations and, if planning on driving in a low-emissions city, assess if advance registration is needed.
Your insurance provider should not limit the days you can use your car abroad within ‘territorial limits’ (specified countries). Just remember that driving on the right is confusing and worries 22% of UK drivers[7], so take your insurer’s number with you to report any accident. Calling 112, from anywhere in the EU, will access local help.
Get your planning right and you can hopefully steer clear of issues and have an amazing time.
Sources:
[1] https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad?step-by-step-nav=51d1433e-893f-4424-8408-8427c1b6aba1
[2] https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit
[3] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driver-documents-required-for-international-road-haulage
[4] https://www.gov.uk/register-trailer-to-take-abroad
[5] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/driving-in-the-eu
[6] https://www.theaa.com/european-breakdown-cover/driving-in-europe/speed-camera-detector-france
[7] https://www.driving.org/53-of-brits-who-drove-abroad-made-costly-and-dangerous-driving-mistakes-in-the-last-year-alone/#:~:text=This%20year%2C%20it%20is%20estimated,popular%20trend%20among%20younger%20people