Paper driving licence

[the1andonly]

We have valid uk paper licences not plastic photo things.
For eu travel an eu licence was required (photo version) post Brexit we need a license valid in country of origin. Am i correct in thinking my paper licence is now acceptable? Has the need for additional international licences been clarified and what is the situation?

 

[kevenh]

Most countries now need a international driving permit
Source

Having an IDP would make your type of UK licence academic IMO

Are all the details still correct on your paper licence?

 

[SteveJ]

From 1 January, most UK drivers will still be able to use their normal driving licence to drive in EU countries.
There are some exceptions and what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed.
An IDP can be bought at Post Offices for £5.50.
The exceptions are people who only have a paper licence, not a photocard one, as well as those with licences issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
The government's advice if you are in one of these groups is to check with the embassy of the country you are planning to drive in to see if you will need an IDP, although it has also published some guidance for specific countries.

 

[kevenh]

From 1 January, most UK drivers will still be able to use their normal driving licence to drive in EU countries.
There are some exceptions and what is called an International Driving Permit (IDP) may be needed.
An IDP can be bought at Post Offices for £5.50.
The exceptions are people who only have a paper licence, not a photocard one, as well as those with licences issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
The government's advice if you are in one of these groups is to check with the embassy of the country you are planning to drive in to see if you will need an IDP, although it has also published some guidance for specific countries.

Is that your words or the BBC's?
No matter, just wonder what is meant by the "most UK drivers" bit. Is that most paper licence drivers will be OK but need to check with the countries travelling to.
Or just every driver generally.

It looks to me like more countries will want an IDP bought, but I've no plans on the horizon to drive abroad so don't need to decipher that feedback

 

[SteveJ]

By most they mean those with photo licences, i.e. most of the UK drivers. Those with paper licences are one of the groups in the exception category.

The exceptions are people who only have a paper licence, not a photocard one, as well as those with licences issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.

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[kevenh]

Crystal!

So, if your driving licence is the photocard type, you're all set to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
But if you've had no reason to update your old paperstlye driving licence - like the OP - you may need to get an IDP

"Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in" (from GOv UK)

 

[the1andonly]

Thanks for input.
The gov advise seems to be; may need an idp. to me there is no clarity.
If my licence was not upto date then i could get a photocard free (last time i checked) but it is. Also less than 10 yrs to 70.

 

[cmcardle75]

Crystal!

So, if your driving licence is the photocard type, you're all set to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
But if you've had no reason to update your old paperstlye driving licence - like the OP - you may need to get an IDP

"Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in" (from GOv UK)

I'd get a photo licence rather than IDP. There's about 17 different types of IDP. Each country needs a slightly different one as in each version, the name field is misplaced by a few mm, apparently making it illegible to people living a few miles away over the border. Besides, paper licences are a hassle. Too large, too fragile, and harder to hire cars.

Although I must admit, I hadn't heard that a photocard licence was enough in the EU.

 

[kevenh]

Although I must admit, I hadn't heard that a photocard licence was enough in the EU.

As we approached a key Brexit date there was an expectation that all UK drivers would need IDP
But looking today for info to help the OP we’ve got actually got a better outcome for photocard holders.

 

[kevenh]

As we approached a key Brexit date there was an expectation that all UK drivers would need IDP
But looking today for info to help the OP we’ve got actually got a better outcome for photocard holders.

Looks like a Funster spotted when the IDP requirement changed in this thread.

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[Minxy]

Looks like we'll need to change our paper licences to photo card ones at some point to save the hassle of IDP:

Driving in Europe​

You do not need an IDP to drive in the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein if you have a photocard driving licence issued in the UK.

You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either:

• a paper driving licence
• a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man

Check with the embassy of the country you will be driving in.

Driving abroad

Check if you need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive abroad on holiday and how to exchange your licence if you move abroad - including driving in the EU after Brexit.

www.gov.uk