GB counterpart licence for EU licence - insurance cost?

Ithilien

Hi all,
I've got a bit of a complicated question and I hope you'll be able to help me.

I've got an EU driving licence (issued in Belgium) - valid permanently and for category B (=cars). Held since 2005.

I'm looking into buying a car in a few months, once I'll be 25 (as insurance costs go down). It seems that with my EU driving licence however insurance cost is higher than if I'd have a GB licence.

I'd rather not EXCHANGE my EU licence (as this is valid permanently and the GB one won't be - also I rent cars often on the continent for my work and it's easier with a Belgian licence).

However I've seen on the direct.gov.uk website that I can apply for a GB counterpart for my EU licence rather than exchange the EU licence (I can't post a link as a "new" user - google for Driving in Great Britain (GB) on a licence issued in a European Community/European Economic Area (EC/EEA) country - it's the 2nd link - scroll down on the page - it's under "Taking a driving test").

Two questions about this:
1. Can I keep my EU licence if I get the GB counterpart?
2. For insurance purposes, does the counterpart count as a GB licence and will I hence have to pay as if I had a full GB licence?
3. When I get a car I want to teach my boyfriend to drive. He doesn't have a licence (he's English btw) - can I do this with the counterpart or do I need a GB licence? Also how does this work with the insurance?

I just don't really understand how it works and can't find any information on my exact questions anywhere... (especially regarding the insurance). My other half can't help me as he doesn't even have a driving licence and doesn't have a clue :doh:

Your help is appreciated!
Heleen

jwruk

This link should help, but you may only be entitled to drive on your EU license in the UK for a maximum of 3 years if you are a permanent resident in the UK (you may need to surrender your EU license).


http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/DriverLicensing/DrivingInGbOnAForeignLicence/DG_4022556

Ithilien

That's the link I tried to add to my post but the forum wouldn't let me.

I can drive with my EU licence up until my 70th birthday (so another 45 years) so that's not the problem.

Quote from your link:

A valid community licence issued on the strength of a driving test within the EC/EEA, will allow you to drive in GB for a set period. Alternatively, you can exchange your licence for a British licence.
Provided your licence remains valid you may drive in GB:
Car, motorcycle driving licence holders (ordinary driving licence):
until aged 70 or for three years after becoming resident, whichever is the longer period

Anyone else who can help me with my original questions?

forgotmyname

Keep your EU licence and take the test in the UK and get a full UK one?


Not sure about teaching someone to drive, Would your licence cover that?

Ithilien

Ah just get a 2nd licence by doing a 2nd test? Is that allowed?

It's definitely an idea I had thought about, so thanks! I'll explore that route. If anyone else comes up with something, please let me know ;-)

forgotmyname

Dont see why not. If it means surrendering your current licence or exchanging it thats what i would do.

Apply for a provisional take some lessons and a test. One thing to check though...

If you apply for a provisional will that override your current licence?
So you cannot drive until you pass your test?

hermante

Belgium has implemented European Council Directive 91/439/EEC

http://ec.europa.eu/transport/road_safety/behavior/driving_licence_en.htm

(Click the FAQ at the bottom)

21. Is it possible to have two driving licences issued by different Member States?
Article 7(5) Directive 91/439/EEC clearly stipulates that no person may hold a driving licence from more than one Member State. This includes withdrawn licences.

24. I am Belgian holding a licence with an unlimited validity. I am establishing my normal residence in the Netherlands. Will the validity of my driving licence become limited?
Directive 91/439/EEC provides for the application of the relevant national provisions. In the Netherlands the period of validity of driving licences is 10 years. The change of normal residence will therefore have effect on the period of validity of the Belgian licence. The validity will henceforth be 10 years as from the day of taking up residence in The Netherlands. After this period of ten years, the Belgian licence will have to be exchanged for a Netherlands licence with the same period of validity applicable to all citizens having their normal residence in the Netherlands.

25. Having established my normal residence in another Member State, can I renew the driving licence in my country of origin?
No, in such case it is not possible to apply to the country of origin for the renewal of a driving licence. You must address the authorities of the country of normal residence. It is not possible to choose between the two states for the renewal of the licence.

Furthermore, Belgium is going to implement European Directive 2006/126/EC by 2013, which means that your Belgian licence will need to be changed to a 10-year validity anyway. I am not sure what would happen if you are not living in Belgium at the time.

http://www.mobilit.fgov.be/fr/route/Permis/permcond011.htm

I do know that you can exchange a non-EU licence for a GB one, then return to the non-EU country and get your original licence back, but it looks like that is not permitted in the EU. However if you were to just apply for a provisional GB and take a test, I don't know how anyone would find out you had two unless you did something silly, like carrying both and speeding.

AnythingButChardonnay

I believe you can supervise with an EU licence but I cannot find you a source. All I remember is seeing an advert for a driving school recruiting instructors (named after a primary colour) that said anyone with a 'UK/EU licence' for 3.5 years could apply.

The advantage for you is to keep your Belgium licence, as you are entitled to do. Applying for a counterpart GB licence doesn't, I don't think, mean you have a 'GB driving licence' (on the basis that you can't hold two licences simultaneously), it's just an administrative thing where you can be given points etc. Whether it's a good thing that you're making it easier to gain points, I don't know. But it may make insurance companies and others happier if you do get a counterpart.

It also allows you to have provisional entitlements in this country, eg for motorbikes, minibuses etc. Though presumably if you did pass a test here then you would be forced to switch to a GB licence (because obviously the DVLA can't issue you a belgium licence with extra categories on!).

Lum

I was under the impression that the GB Counterpart scheme existed purely for the purpose of collecting points for speeding and other offences, not to allow Europeans to keep their original licence and have a GB one simultaneously.