Driving in Europe Safely (legal stuff)

polyphonic99

What about getting an international driving permit???

It depends.

If we exit with a deal then current UK driving licenses will still be valid on their own.

If we crash out with a no deal on 29 March 19, then your current UK driving licence will be insufficient. You still need to take it with you but, depending on where you are driving in the EU you will need 1 or possibly 2 International Driving Permits.

There are 2 conventions that cover Europe: the 1949 and the 1968 conventions. Spain requires a 1949 IDP, France and most other EU countries a 1968 IDP, obviously if driving through France to Spain, you need to get both. Get them at a Post Office, £5.50 each, so £22 for 2 drivers for France & Spain for example. When my wife and I got 2 each it took almost 30 minutes for the staff to fill them out. You need photo ID (passport), current driving licence, and a Passport size photo. Look on Post office Website for details and which country is covered by which convention.

Insurance, if we leave with no deal, then you need an old fashioned Green Card from your insurance company or your insurance will be invalid.

Car number plate. If no deal then you will either need an old fashioned GB sticker, OR if you have a Europlate eg GB with 12 EU stars above, then that will only be legal if you coverup/replace the EU stars (see dept of Transport website latest advice 5/2/19) To do that you will either need a new number plate or purchase a reflective blue sticker from Amazon / Ebay to show GB with a UK flag to place over the GB EU symbols. If you don't modify your Europlate, you will need the old fashioned oval GB Sticker anyway. Note the old magnetic ones don't work on modern alloy bodywork.