Driving Law Changes for UK drivers

Member since 02 September 2021

alanjolly65Active member08 September 2021 17:52:32

Just in case anyone is not aware,

1). A green card is no longer required for most EU countries

2) From the 28th September, you will need a UK (previously BG) sticker or Number plate with UK and the Union Flag

From Gov.uk

Check the overseas driving rules
Make sure you follow overseas driving rules, including local speed limits and drink driving laws. You may be breaking the law and get a fine if you do not.

Depending on the country you鈥檙e visiting you may need:

extra equipment - for example, you need a reflective jacket and a warning triangle in many countries
emission stickers (permits) in some European cities - you may need to buy these weeks before you go abroad
headlight converter stickers
a GB sticker
If you鈥檙e driving on or after 28 September 2021, you鈥檒l need a UK sticker instead of a GB sticker.

If you鈥檙e hiring a car, it鈥檚 your responsibility to check you have the equipment you need.

Check what you need to do if you鈥檙e driving in the EU.

Check the travel advice for all countries.

Check your insurance if you鈥檙e taking your own vehicle
Your UK vehicle insurance gives you a minimum of third party cover to drive your vehicle in EU countries. Check with your insurer if your policy covers extra things like theft or damage.

You do not need to carry a green card when you drive in the EU (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia, and Switzerland. You still need valid vehicle insurance.

You may need to carry a green card to drive in other countries, including:

Albania
Azerbaijan
Belarus
Iran
Israel
Moldova
Morocco
Russia
Tunisia
Turkey
Ukraine

gwynj Bulgaria Expert

Member since 30 June 2020

gwynjBulgaria Expert09 September 2021 06:43:52

2558

Thanks for the update. I guess, strictly, it refers to UK registered (and insured) vehicles rather than UK drivers. The EU still requires this for vehicles registered and insured in an EU country, such as Bulgaria, regardless of nationality of the driver.

alanjolly65 Active member

Member since 02 September 2021

alanjolly65Active member09 September 2021 11:30:09

Sorry, yes, I was referring to UK drivers of UK registered vehicles wishing to drive in the EU.聽 It is only since Brexit that UK drivers were not allowed to drive displaying the EU symbol and had to display the letter "GB" and the Union Flag. This has now been changed from "GB" to "UK".聽 (I have now repalced my vehicle regisration plates twice in 6 months!)

The removal of the requirement for a green card is good news. Since Brexit, I had to specifiy the dates I intended to travel and obtain a green card. Most policies will only cover a maximum of 6 months insurance. Now, no green card is required and all UK polices have to offer year round cover in the EU, albeit only on a third party basis.

Obviously, all this only relates to UK registered vehicles.