Requirements for all UK drivers when driving abroad from 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020)

From 28 March 2019, drivers from the UK may need a different international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad.

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK drivers may also need an IDP and extra documentation to drive in the EU and EEA.

If you drive for work in the EU, see also:

• Prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit: bus and coach drivers
• Prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit: lorry and goods vehicle drivers

Driving licence exchange for UK nationals living in the EU

If you are a UK licence holder living in the EU or EEA you should exchange your UK driving licence for a local EU driving licence before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020). From that date, in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may have to pass a driving test in the EU country you live in to be able to carry on driving there.

You should consider exchanging your UK driving licence for an EU driving licence as soon as possible. Increased demand may lead to longer processing times and delays to exchanging driving licences the closer it is to 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020).

You can drive on your EU licence when visiting the UK.

If you return to live in the UK, provided you passed your driving test in the UKor another specified country, you can exchange your EU licence for a UKlicence without taking another test.

Driving licences and international driving permits

On 28 March 2019, the type of international driving permit (IDP) that some countries outside the EU and EEA recognise will change.

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you may need an IDP in addition to your UK driving licence to drive in EU and EEA countries.

If you hold a UK driving licence you should not need an IDP to drive in Ireland from 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020) as Ireland does not currently require IDPs to be held by driving licence holders from non-EU countries.

Number plates and national identifiers

Under international conventions, GB is the distinguishing sign to display on UK-registered vehicles when driving outside of the UK.

Following the UK’s exit from the EU, it is recommended that you display a GBsticker on the rear of your vehicle, irrespective of whether you currently have a number plate which includes the GB identifier.

More about displaying number plates, flags, symbols and identifiers.

Vehicle registration documents

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, you should continue to carry your vehicle registration documents with you when driving abroad for less than 12 months. This can be either:

• your vehicle log book (V5C), if you have one
• a VE103 to show you’re allowed to use your hired or leased vehicle abroad

More about taking a vehicle out of the UK for less than 12 months.

Vehicle insurance for UK registered vehicles in the EU

A motor insurance Green Card is evidence of motor insurance cover when driving abroad.

The EU, EEA, Andorra, Serbia and Switzerland are part of a Green Card-free circulation area. Currently, you do not need a motor insurance Green Card to drive a UK registered vehicle in these countries.

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), in the event that there is no EU Exit deal and the European Commission does not make a decision ensuring that UK registered vehicles will not be checked for proof of insurance, drivers of UK registered vehicles will need to carry a motor insurance Green Card when driving in the EU and EEA.

Some countries also require separate insurance for trailers. This means that you may also need a separate Green Card for your trailer.

Contact your vehicle insurance provider to obtain a motor insurance Green Card.

More about vehicle insurance.

Road traffic accidents in the EU

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, UK residents involved in a road traffic accident in an EU or EEA country should not expect to be able to make a claim in respect of that accident via a UK-based Claims Representative or the UK Motor Insurers’ Bureau (MIB).

Instead, UK residents involved in a road accident may need to bring a claim against either the driver or the insurer of the vehicle in the EU or EEA country where the accident happened. This may involve bringing the claim in the local language.

In the event of an accident in an EU or EEA country caused by an uninsured or an untraced driver, UK residents may not receive compensation if there is no EU Exit deal. This will vary from country to country.

If involved in a road traffic accident in an EU or EEA country before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), you may need to bring legal proceedings in the UK against either the insurer or the MIB before 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020). After 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), you may need to bring legal proceedings against either the responsible driver or the insurer of the vehicle in the EU or EEA instead. If you need more information about this, you should seek legal advice.

Trailer registration

From 28 March 2019, you must register commercial trailers weighing over 750kg and non-commercial trailers weighing over 3,500kg before they can travel to or through most EU and EEA countries.

You can voluntarily register non-commercial trailers that weigh over 750kg but there is no legal requirement to do this.

More about trailer registration.

EU drivers visiting or living in the UK after EU Exit

From 29 March 2019 (may also apply to new exit date on 31 December 2020), in the event that there is no EU Exit deal, arrangements for EU and EEA licence holders who are visiting or living in the UK will not change.

Visitors with EU and EEA driving licences will not need an IDP to drive in the UK.

EU and EEA licence holders visiting the UK can continue to drive on valid EUand EEA licences.

EU and EEA car or motorcycle licence holders who are (or become) UKresidents can drive in the UK using EU and EEA licences until they are 70 or for up until 3 years after they become resident, whichever date is the later. At this point an application would need to be made for a UK licence.

Different restrictions apply to EU and EEA lorry or bus licence holders who are (or become) UK residents.

For EU and EEA licence holders who passed their test in the EU or EEA, the UK will continue to exchange their licence.

EU and EEA licence holders who passed their test outside the EU or EEA have restrictions on licence exchange. As such, they may need to take a test to obtain a UK licence.

More about exchanging a foreign driving licence.

See also

• Driving abroad
• Foreign travel advice
• Going and being abroad – EU Exit guidance
• Importing, exporting and transporting – EU Exit guidance for your business
• Passenger travel to Europe by air, rail or sea after Brexit
• Passport rules for travel to Europe after Brexit
• Prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit: bus and coach drivers
• Prepare to drive in the EU after Brexit: lorry and goods vehicle drivers
• Transport – EU Exit guidance
• UK nationals in the EU: guidance for UK nationals living in the EU