UK tourists driving in Europe on their holidays this summer could be hit with eye-watering £600 fines. The financial penalties could be issued to British motorists as “new procedures” for documents are rolled out for the big summer getaway.
MotorMatch warned: “Every driver should double-check their paperwork before heading overseas. A valid driving licence, car insurance details, and vehicle registration documents are needed at all times. Missing any of these could significantly disrupt your plans and result in fines up to €750 (£634).
“It’s better to be over-prepared than to face any delays.” MotorMatch commented: “As of April 1, 2024, the DVLA requires that anyone seeking an International Driving Permit must visit a participating PayPoint location, equipped with their full valid photo-card licence, a standard passport photograph, and possibly a valid passport if they have an older paper version licence.
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“This new procedure is a departure from the past and underscores the need for drivers to be thoroughly prepared before heading to their PayPoint location.” MotorMatch added: “Not every country requires an International Driving Permit, but for over 140 countries that do, including key destinations like Turkey, Mexico, Canada, and Australia, being prepared with the correct type of IDP is crucial for lawful and hassle-free driving.”
You may need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some countries. The permit you may need depends on which country you’re visiting and how long you’re staying. You need to have a valid Great Britain (GB) or Northern Ireland driving licence to get an IDP.
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, though, the government explains. You might need an IDP to drive in some EU countries and Norway if you have either a paper driving licence or a licence issued in Gibraltar, Guernsey, Jersey or the Isle of Man.