Drive to Italy from London

nickadua

Hello everyone, 

I’d like to drive to Italy, with my wife, in a week time as our parents are living there. 

Does anyone knows if France will let us though? And if we require anything in particular?
It will be the first time I’ll do it.

Many thanks 
Nick

[Deleted User]

The FCO currently advise against all but essential travel, so you should not travel. France may not let you in, or through, Italy may not let you in or through. You would be in breach of both countries rules regarding travel. Your travel insurance will not be valid and you will probably find that your car insurance will also not be valid (international driving, when advised not to by the government, in breach of the laws of the nations you are driving through). 

You might get there, you might get stopped, you may be fined heavily as the penalties for breaches in France and Italy can be a thousand Euros per person, you will be breaking the law and you won't be insured. Travelling would be highly inadvisable. 

LilElvis

The only accurate information you are going to get is by looking at the French and Italian government portals for their current travel advice and any restrictions.

sharpe106

You will not be insured even if you physically can do it. 

happyandcontented

Why are you considering going now when travel restrictions are still in place? Is there some desperate reason?

whizzywoo

This is what the RAC are saying for driving in France.  Have you checked with the ferry companies?  They will probably have some info as well but unless it is essential then you are not allowed.  Also I am fairly certain that the French Authorities will want to quarantine you for 14 days once our UK quarantine kicks in next week.

https://www.rac.co.uk/drive/travel/country/france/

"Coronavirus update

Driving to, through and within France is strictly regulated right now. If you need to travel to France, you must complete an ‘attestation’ form and show it to border officials and the police on request. This form must state one of seven official reasons for entering the country. You can find the ‘attestation’ form here (see ‘International travel to metropolitan France’ section).

Once in France, drivers must either have a personal or employer’s certificate with them. The personal certificate needs to be completed by the driver and the employer’s professional travel waiver certificate must be filled in and signed by the driver’s manager. You download all ‘attestation’ forms from the French Government website.

Check the Foreign travel advice section of the GOV.UK website for up to date advice on all other European countries."

France also has other restrictions in place which applied before the pandemic and still applies now - one of these is the need for a CritAir Certificate for your vehicle or you will be fined when travelling through certain cities.

https://about-france.com/highway-code.htm

neilmcl

Also, as of June 8 all UK travellers to France will be asked to go into quarantine on arrival to coincide with the qurantine rules the UK government are bringing out for international travel.

https://uk.ambafrance.org/COVID-19-declaration-for-international-travel#t2-Travellers-entering-France-from-the-UK