Image copyright Jonathan Brady
UK drivers may have to get an international driving permit if they want to drive in European countries after a no-deal Brexit.
The government says that after March 2019 “your driving licence may no longer be valid by itself” in the EU, in its latest no-deal planning papers.
It also warns that Britons travelling to the EU may need to make sure their passports have six months left to run.
International permits cost £5.50 and are available at some post offices.
The cabinet met earlier for a “no deal” planning session. Brexit Secretary Dominic Raab told the BBC that the government was aiming to get a Brexit deal with Brussels by mid-November at the latest but was stepping up contingency planning in case that did not happen.
After the meeting, ministers published the latest series of papers outlining the work it has done to prepare.
While UK driving licences are currently valid in the EU, the papers say if no deal is reached, an international driving permit may be required – as it is currently to drive in Japan, some US states and other countries.
There are two types of permit, depending on which EU state you are driving in. The government says the current process for getting one type of permit over the counter at the 90 post offices it is available at “takes around five minutes on a turn-up-and-go basis”.
It says it will start providing both types permits itself from February and applications will be made at 2,500 post offices across the UK.
