Just for those who think no-deal Brexit won’t change anything for them personally, they might like to consider any holiday planning they might need to make to drive in any EU or EEA country should no-deal happen.
At the moment, you require NONE of the following.
Post no-deal Brexit, you will need ALL of them.
- You will need European Breakdown Cover in addition to your current British insurance cover. You will need to obtain this from an EU approved insurer. Cover issued by a non-approved insurer would not be valid on the continent.
- The Association of British Insurers (ABI) advises that British drivers are required to carry ‘a physical copy’ of their “Green Card”.
- If you want to take your pet with you, your British Pet Passport will no longer be accepted on the continent because UK will be categorised as “an unlisted country”.
- UK-registered cars will need to display a GB sticker when driving in any of the 27 EU countries – including the Republic of Ireland.
If your car is beyond economical repair you will have to return it to UK at your own expense.
You will also have to ensure that you have all the correct documentation such as an International Driving Permit and Green Card insurance documents.
Though European Insurance authorities (rather than the EU Commission) waived the need for a green card in the event of a no-deal Brexit, this has not been confirmed by the European Commission. No deal Brexit means you WILL need one no matter what the insurers say.
Motorists should contact their vehicle insurers to obtain a green card at their own expense Ensure you apply in plenty of time. You will be turned back at the border if you are found not to have one. If you get through immigration and are later found to not have one you could possibly be arrested for entering the country illegally and deported. Your car will certainly be impounded.
The following actions are mandatory and will be at the pet owner’s expense.
You must have your pet microchipped and vaccinated against rabies before it can travel*. Your pet must have a blood sample taken at least 30 days after its last rabies vaccination (whether that’s a booster or initial vaccination). Your vet may recommend a booster rabies vaccination before this test.
- Your vet must send the blood sample to an EU-approved blood testing laboratory.
- The results of the blood test must show that the vaccination was successful (Your pet must have a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/ml).
- You must wait three months from the date the successful blood sample was taken before you travel.
- You must take your pet to an Official Veterinarian (ensure it is an EU approved vet), no more than 10 days before travel to get a health certificate.
All of these things will be at your expense.
Blue EU registration plates that display the ‘GB’ initials will no longer be accepted.
UK residents involved in a road traffic accident in an EU or EEA country should not expect to be able to make a claim in respect of that accident via a UK-based Claims Representative or the UK Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB)’.
- When driving on the continent you will need to be in possession of ALL of the following:
- Warning Triangle
- GB Sticker
- Headlamp Beam Converters
- Adult High Visibility Vest
- First Aid Kit
- Foil Blanket
- Fire extinguisher
- NF Approved Breathalyser Twin Pack
- Universal Spare Bulb Set
- European Driving Guidance Leaflet
All items must conform to EU standards.
France especially has very strict driving laws in place for drivers from non-EU countries. The Gendarmerie are aware that not all of these items are required in UK and most British drivers don’t have them. If you are stopped they WILL want to see all of these items and they will be hot to trot if you haven't. You could be arrested and your car impounded if you fail to comply. The French charge release fees for vehicles that will make your eyes water.
The British are not at all popular anywhere on the continent, but especially so in France and it would be extremely unwise to give the Gendarmerie – who have a well deserved reputation for bloody mindedness at the best of times - or any other EU traffic police officers any excuse to use the very strict laws they have. Push your luck at your own risk.
UK residents will need to bring any claim against either the driver or the insurer of the vehicle in the country where the accident happened.
In the event of an accident in an EU or EEA country caused by an uninsured or an untraced driver, it is highly unlikely that UK claimants will ever receive compensation.
You voted for this. Enjoy your holiday.
*Yes, I know Rabies is extremely rare in UK on account of Britain being an island, but they won't care. They've given up trying to debunk the myths and lies about Eurocrats. They know the British have a negative attitude and will never change so they see no point in trying to be reasonable any more. They might as well just enforce their rules and to hell with what The Sun says.