Brexit: the impact Helping you manage the post-Brexit world

Prior to Brexit the UK individual driving licence was valid within the EU and it permitted individuals to drive throughout the EU for business and leisure.

Yes. The UK driving licence may no longer be valid as a stand alone permission to drive within the EU Member States.

• Yes, if you have a full driving licence issued in Great Britain or Northern Ireland.
• You must take the physical licence with you on your journey.
• You must also carry one of the following:
  • The vehicle log book (V5C) or
  • If the vehicle is hired or leased then a VE103 (which is the legal alternative to the V5C
• See below if you need a further permit.

An IDP is an official translation of your driving licence and must be carried, together with your UK driving licence if the country you are visiting so requires.

The IDP facilitates the checking of your details if you were to be stopped in the EU country you are visiting.

Not required if driving to an EU Member State, Switzerland, Iceland or Liechtenstein if your visit has a duration of less than 90 days.

If travelling to Cyprus, then an IDP is not required if the duration of your stay is less than 30 days.

You do need an IDP if:

• your driving licence is paper only; or
• your driving licence was issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

Note: Different countries require different IDPs so it is crucial to check the individual country’s requirements.

No there are different types and it is important to ensure you apply for the correct IDP which is dependent upon the country you are intending to drive within.

The border authorities will not permit entry to your destination and you could face enforcement action in the form of a fine.

The two types of IDP for EU driving depends on the country you intend to drive within and which Convention that country is party to:

• countries governed by the 1949 Geneva Convention on Road Traffic – the IDP is valid for 12 months from issue.
• countries Governed by the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic – the IDP is valid for three years or until your driver’s licence expires, whichever comes first.

A full list of countries can be found here https://www.gov.uk/driving-abroad/international-driving-permit

You will need both types of IDP as those countries are covered by the different Conventions.

The IDP will be needed for both professional and personal driving within the EU post Brexit.

Post Offices are issuing this type of IDP over the counter:

• the cost is £5.50
• you must live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland
• you must have a full UK driving licence
• you must be over 18 years old.

If your vehicle’s number plate includes the GB identifier, with or without the Union flag, then no GB sticker is required.

If your vehicle’s number plate has:

• a Euro symbol; or
• a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales; or
• numbers and letters only

You will need to display a GB sticker on the back of your vehicle.

If driving in Spain, Malta or Cyprus then a GB sticker must be displayed on your vehicle irrespective of the appearance of the vehicle’s number plate.

The European Health Insurance Card (“EHIC”) is a small card issued to travellers across EU member states.

The holder of an EHIC is entitled to state-provided medical treatment in the EU country they have travelled to, including emergency or necessary medical care, at the same cost that is charged to residents of that country.

The deal reached between the UK and EU provides that all EHIC cards issued before the end of 2020 will be valid until their expiry day.

All EU member states.

It will not be recognised in (save for limited exceptions below):

• Norway
• Iceland
• Leichtenstein
• Switzerland

You may be eligible to apply if you are:

• an EU, Norwegian, Icelandic, Liechtenstein or Swiss national, and have been living in the UK since before 1 January 2021
• receiving a UK State Pension or some other ‘exportable benefits’, and have been living in the EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland since before 1 January 2021
• a ‘frontier worker’ (someone who works in one state and lives in another), and have been one since before 1 January 2021, for as long as you continue to be a frontier worker in the host state
• an eligible family member or dependant of one of the above.

The EHIC is being replaced by the Global Health Insurance Card (“GHIC”).

It operates in the same way as the EHIC.

If your EHIC remains valid then there is no need to apply for GHIC.

All EU member states except for:

• the Channel Islands, including Guernsey, Alderney and Sark
• the Isle of Man
• Monaco
• San Marino
• the Vatican
• Iceland
• Liechtenstein
• Norway
• Switzerland.

UK nationals living in the UK and:

• Are planning a trip to an EU member state; and
• Your EHIC has expired.

The NHS are responsible for issuing the GHIC. Apply for a GHIC on the NHS website.

The GHIC is free of charge via the NHS dedicated webpage.

Yes, but the requirements differ depending upon the weight of the trailer and whether it is private or commercial.

Yes, but if the weight is over 750 kilogrammes gross then it will need to be registered to tow in some EU countries.

Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland and Ukraine.

• For journeys between the UK and Ireland
• Cyprus
• Liechtenstein
• Malta
• Spain

 If you are driving through a country which requires registration (above) to reach Cyprus, Liechenstein, Malta or Spain then you will need to register your trailer.

Registration can be achieved on-line at https://www.gov.uk/register-trailer-to-take-abroad

First time registration - £26

For the issue of a new registration certificate for a new registered keeper - £21

For a replacement UK trailer registration certificate - £10

If your private trailer is over 3,500 kilograms in weight then:

• It must be registered
• You must display the registration plate on the trailer or caravan (separate plate to the tow vehicle)
• You must carry the caravan registration certificate.

If your private trailer is under 3,500 kilograms then no action is required and it can be towed in the EU.