BREXIT: Driving in the EU

If you are a professional driver, there are a number of documents you will be responsible for having onboard when driving to the EU after the transition period has come to an end.

First and foremost, you will undoubtedly be required to have your full UK driving licence with you when driving, either a lorry or a PSV, in the EU. However, an additional permit you yourself will be required to carry is something called an International Driving Permit (IDP). These can be obtained from the Post Office and an application cost of £5.50 will be required. In order to be eligible for an IDP, however, you are required (1) to be a Great Britain or Northern Ireland resident, (2) have a full UK driving licence, and (3) be 18 or over. However, be aware that different, specific EU Member States may require different types of IDP. There are different variations depending on how far along the destination country is to ratifying certain international treaties.  A useful tool for drivers and operators is likely to be the Post Office’s IDP Checker Tool (link below) which, from 1 January 2021, may be able to give you an indication of which type of IDP will be needed, although we have not had this confirmed by them.

Post Office IDP Checker – click here:

There may also be concern about Driver Certificates of Professional Competence and what requirements will be in place after the end of the transition period. All UK drivers will still need a Driver CPC in order to work as lorry or bus or coach drivers and drive in the EU. If you are a UK driver working for a UK company, then you will not need to do anything, and your UK-issued CPC qualification should still be recognised. If, however, you hold a UK-issued Driver CPC qualification and work for a company based in the EU, then you will likely be required to exchange your qualification for the relevant qualification, card or equivalent in that particular country.