Is a vehicle green card required to drive around Europe? Will a no deal Brexit change the driving requirements within the EU?
What is a Vehicle Green Card?
A vehicle green card is an insurance certificate. Your insurer will provide you this free of charge. It allows drivers to travel outside the EU as it proves you have minimum cover.
Currently vehicle green cards aren’t required by us in the UK to travel to Europe. The EU & EEC are vehicle green card free areas.
So much uncertainty remains around Brexit. As a result, whether the UK leaves without an exit agreement many issues remain unresolved.
The issue of travel within the EU and a green card are no exception.
Vehicle Green Card with a “No Deal scenario”
Should the UK leave without any deal, a vehicle green card will therefore be required.
Even the simplest of journey such as driving from Northern Ireland to the Republic of Ireland would require a green card.
However even this may not be sufficient. Countries such as Andorra, Serbia, Switzerland and the EEC area may require further documents such as an International Driving Permit (IDP).
What happens if we get a deal?
Should a deal be made with the EU it is expected that green cards would not be required. However, this is just speculation as so much of Brexit remains unresolved.
Even if a deal is made. It may not include the other EEC countries, Andorra, Serbia & Switzerland.
Our Current Recommendations
Anyone intending to travel and drive in Europe shortly after the 31st October should contact their motor insurer.
They will provide you with the most up to date information regarding documents required.
Currently a green card can take between 4 to 6 weeks to be processed. As a result, we recommend those potentially affected should contact their insurer no later than mid-September. We are assuming that the current EU exit date of 31st October 2019 will go ahead and won’t therefore be delayed again.
For further information please see the following link released by HMRC.
DISCLAIMER – Please note that the content contained in this article is for general information only and is not a substitute for professional advice – read our full disclaimer