With
Brexit looming large this month, owners and riders of historic and classic
vehicles will no doubt be wondering what this means for them if they are aiming
to travel across the channel or Irish Sea.
The
Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has now issued advice on
what will be different if the UK leaves the EU on March 29 without a deal… with
the first and main point being to consult Government websites – as Whitehall departments
develop their plans, information is posted online on a regular basis.
The
following are areas which the federation considers owners of classics should
think about if intending to travel, either as a driver or passenger.
- You should consider your insurance, both vehicle and personal.
- The
Insurance Directive will cease to be effective and there could be changes to how
claims would be dealt with. Ask your motor insurer.
- You
may require a Green Card to visit EU countries, and not all EU countries accept
the same Green Card. Your motor insurer should know the various rules
- Your
European Health Insurance Card will no longer be of any effect. Thus you should
consider establishing that your insurance cover includes full health insurance,
including, if required, cover against the occurrence of existing medical
conditions.
- You
may need any driver to acquire an International Driving Permit
- You
will require to show a separate GB plate even if your vehicle is identified as
being registered in the UK by the EU ‘GB’ number plate.
- The
Roadworthiness Testing Directive will no longer apply. You may wish to submit
your vehicle to an MOT test, even if it is exempt, so that you will be in
possession of evidence that the vehicle has passed a roadworthiness test if
local law enforcement requests.
- Not
all local Low Emission Zones currently exempt historic vehicles. There may be
some which exempt only historic vehicles from the EU. You will need to check
locally.
This advice must not be regarded as complete or accurate; it is offered only as a useful checklist. If you have specific questions, we will try to help, but in the current uncertainty, we will not necessarily know the answer.
The
federation says this advice must not be regarded as complete or accurate but
says it’s “a useful checklist”.
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