Driving License?
Discussion
Speaking with my Uncle last night, he reckoned that to drive on the continent you need an international driving license, or a license with photo ID on it.
Now this is the first I've heard of this, but he has done a fair amount of travelling over there so I've no reason to doubt him.
Any light to be shed on this?
PS. I only have a paper license, which is why I'm concerned!
Now this is the first I've heard of this, but he has done a fair amount of travelling over there so I've no reason to doubt him.
Any light to be shed on this?
PS. I only have a paper license, which is why I'm concerned!
He's wrong. The paper license is valid here and therefore valid in the rest of the EEC. Do internatioanl licenses still exist? They might get confused with a license that doesn't have a photo on it but its not illegal.
Same thing with our credit cards. French ones have a built in PIN number our require a good old fashioned signature.
Same thing with our credit cards. French ones have a built in PIN number our require a good old fashioned signature.
International licence do still exist but are not required by any resident in a EU state. The domestic licence for each EU citizen is valid in any EU country.
You must have the licence with you for production on demand when driving in Europe. They do not have a 7 day production period system.
You must have the licence with you for production on demand when driving in Europe. They do not have a 7 day production period system.
Never required an international license for any country yet.
They do exist but the thing they are best for is in the USA (and perhaps others) when the police take your licence away. Just give them the international one and then carry on using your English one!
I have found that with the new photo card type licenses you also need the paper work that comes with it though. This is ok for Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. I guess there wont be a lot of people taking that route to Le Mans though!
They do exist but the thing they are best for is in the USA (and perhaps others) when the police take your licence away. Just give them the international one and then carry on using your English one!
I have found that with the new photo card type licenses you also need the paper work that comes with it though. This is ok for Europe, USA, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. I guess there wont be a lot of people taking that route to Le Mans though!
Its because foreigners dont understand the little pictures on the back of a photocard license and want to read the piece of paper to see what you are licensed to drive.
For example, the back of my card says Im allowed to drive a VW beetle or a VW beetle towing a large up-turned lego brick.
I guess if your car doesnt look like a beetle they get confused!
(Take a look on the back of your card, I think you'll see what I mean!).
For example, the back of my card says Im allowed to drive a VW beetle or a VW beetle towing a large up-turned lego brick.
I guess if your car doesnt look like a beetle they get confused!
(Take a look on the back of your card, I think you'll see what I mean!).
I thought that only licences issued after a certain date were valid in Europe? Others needing back-up from either an International Licence or a translation? However may be totally wrong!
All this reminds me to find the Green Card, the Insurance documents and the V5, needed them last year! Oh and mustn't forget the E111 either!
All this reminds me to find the Green Card, the Insurance documents and the V5, needed them last year! Oh and mustn't forget the E111 either!
Ah! I seem to remeber this green card malarky now! My insurance company said it wasnt important as long as I take my policy with me. This was about 5 or 6 years ago.
Thanks to everyone for reminding me though or I wouldnt have bothered!
I guess its a good idea to dig out the policy and actually read it. Phoning an insurance company can take a life time!
Thanks to everyone for reminding me though or I wouldnt have bothered!
I guess its a good idea to dig out the policy and actually read it. Phoning an insurance company can take a life time!
liszt said: My insurance company said I didn't need a green card? Are they lying? What's a green card for anyway? Would an industrious 2 minutes with a green felttipped pen be worth it?
Its an extension to your existing insurance policy although not necessary in all cases.
I think that all insurance now has to offer you the minimum legal cover in all members of the EEC. However not all companies automatically cover you fully comprehensive whilst abroad.
Therefore if your insurance company say you are covered thats fine. However I would check the cover is as good as the cover you get in the UK.
liszt said: My insurance company said I didn't need a green card? Are they lying? What's a green card for anyway? Would an industrious 2 minutes with a green felttipped pen be worth it?
A green card is an internationally recognised certificate of insurance. You get it from your insurer, some may charge you a small admin fee for it.
When driving abroad, you should have all the relevant documents for your car needed in this country.
Driving Licence,
Insurance certificate or green card,
MOT certificate if required to be tested,
Registration document (V5).
You must be able to produce all these on demand by a EU state Police officer other than in the UK.
If you are unable to produce the required documents on demand, you could end up considerably inconvenienced (on arrest) until the facts are known to the Police Officer dealing with your stop check or offence.
You could also have your car confiscated until it is sorted out.
In Spain a bail bond is not required to drive. A green card or domestic certificate of insurance will suffice but could cause further inconvenience. A bail bond will sufficiently appease any Police officer requiring proof of insurance and is much the best document to acquire.
Gassing Station | Le Mans | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff