Parking Ticket on French Car...

MissMoneypenny

OK, I just spoke to my neighbour whose OH is french and who moved here about 3 months ago. They were well aware of the law regarding foreign registered cars and residing in the uk. They bought a uk car when they got here.

She suggested that you or your OH might also want to check the laws regarding foreign driving licences being used in the UK.

BubbleFrogette

I'm touched that you would got to the trouble of asking your neighbour on my behalf but really there is no need, thanks.

Myself and my OH having both lived in the Philippines, Malaysia and France are well aware of rules surrounding foreign driving licenses and we both have international licenses.

BubbleFrogette

The other thing that you are forgetting is that the vehicle is normally in France. It was brought over to move belongings and it will return again soon. Why would he register it in the UK if he doesn't intend to use it in the UK? We have a UK-registered car already.

worried_jim

Ignore the ticket, but miss moneypenny is making perfect sense to me.

BubbleFrogette

I agree with her - she quoted DirectGov so I could find exactly what she was referring to. The thing is, we don't use the French car here normally so is would be pointless to register it.

BubbleFrogette

I thought that since the car is only here for a short period and normally stays in France, we were covered by the 6 months rule. However, this obviously does not apply, as OH resides here. It would therefore seem that he is breaking the law. I don't see a way round it to be honest - he will just have break the law for a few weeks until the vehicle returns - what else can be done??

Coblcris

Directgov website is NOT legislation. Even worse a mere snippet has been quoted. This is misleading. I suggest people read the complete page at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067628 and take particular note of the 185 days qualifying period for residency. Inside this you are not 'resident'. Note how the 185 days ties in with the six months for vehicle registration. The phrase "where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in this country" applies on day 186 - a point missed on the posts to date.

Neil_B

Coblcris wrote: »

Directgov website is NOT legislation. Even worse a mere snippet has been quoted. This is misleading. I suggest people read the complete page at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067628 and take particular note of the 185 days qualifying period for residency. Inside this you are not 'resident'. Note how the 185 days ties in with the six months for vehicle registration. The phrase "where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in this country" applies on day 186 - a point missed on the posts to date.

Yeah but come on Cris - it was a Police telly programme. Must be right, LOL!!!!

Incidentally OP. Local Authorities DO pursue penalties to foreign registered cars. I know of one for certain. They use a uk contractor who will then pass it to a DCA in the relevant Country. Presumably, ultimately, they will take people to Court as a civil matter in the other Country. Unlike ppc cases here I imagine such cases have a firm legal standing and virtually indefensible. Can't say I know for sure though.

(and i didn't see it on the telly!)
-

MissMoneypenny

Coblcris wrote: »

Even worse a mere snippet has been quoted. This is misleading. I suggest people read the complete page at http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/OwningAVehicle/Motorinsurance/DG_067628 and take particular note of the 185 days qualifying period for residency. Inside this you are not 'resident'. Note how the 185 days ties in with the six months for vehicle registration. The phrase "where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in this country" applies on day 186 - a point missed on the posts to date.

It does not say that residency applies on day 186. Read your link carefully again and please be careful what you post as you may get people who think you are correct but don't bother to read your link. People who move to the uk to stay and work, are resident from the day they arrive.

So those that move to this country with family and get permanent work here, are resident from day one - like my neighbour and her French husband who then bought a uk registered car as soon as they arrived. Those that come to the UK to work just to earn more money for a few months and then return home to work and be with family for at least 185 days in each calendar year, are not classed as resident in the UK.

It states:-

"Vehicles registered in other countries that are temporarily brought into the UK by overseas residents are usually exempt from UK registration and licensing. EU vehicles that are being used within or between Community Member States are allowed, under EC Directive 83/182, to be used on public roads without the need to register or pay duties in the host country. These provisions limit visits to six months in a 12 month period and the vehicle must comply with the registration and licensing requirements of its home country.


To qualify for the exemption, the visitor must have their normal residence outside the host-state. Residency is normally taken to mean the place where a person usually lives for at least 185 days in each calendar year because of personal and occupational ties.



Enforcement is a matter for the police who can at any time ask a person to demonstrate that they are eligible to use the vehicle without registering and licensing it in the UK.


Any vehicle used in this country for more than six months in any 12 has to be registered and licensed here in the normal way with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). In addition, where the keeper of the vehicle becomes resident in this country, the vehicle must immediately be registered and licensed here. Once a vehicle has been registered in this country its use must be covered by a motor insurance policy issued by a motor insurer authorised in the UK."

MissMoneypenny

BubbleFrogette wrote: »

I don't see a way round it to be honest - he will just have break the law for a few weeks until the vehicle returns - what else can be done??

Can you keep it parked on a drive so that it is off the roads, until he takes it back to France? So many cars are coming and going to France, especially as it is the summer holidays soon, that the odds of getting stopped on the way out must be fairly slim?