The Impact of Brexit

70% of cars sold in the UK are imported from Europe. In 2020, despite some manufacturers introducing price protection schemes, Brexit uncertainty and coronavirus saw a total of 1.63 million cars sold, 29% less than in 2019.  

On the 30th December, the UK agreed a trade deal with the EU which prevented a 10% tariff being applied to cars imported from Europe. As a result the predicted price increases on cars which would have seen consumers paying more has been avoided. This deal should inspire more confidence in car purchases compared to 2020.

Always check first with your car insurance provider to ask if you are covered to drive your car into Europe. Ensure you contact your provider with plenty of time to spare before you plan to travel, to allow time for the documents to arrive and modifications to your policy to be added. You will be required to carry a Green Card when travelling outside of the UK from 1st January 2021. 

The Green Card is an internationally recognised certificate of insurance, a physical document proving you are insured. Green Cards are normally valid for 15 days, but you may be able to extend this through talking to your car insurance provider. 

From the 1st January 2021 if you hold a paper driving license you are required to carry an IDP (International Driving Permit) to drive in Europe. These can be obtained from a Post Office and cost around £5.50, you will need to carry both your UK driving license and IDP. Country specific information can be found on the government website. 

Your car must have GB stickers on it unless your number plate has GB printed on it. For driving in Spain, Cyprus or Malta you will require a GB sticker no matter what. In many cases it may just be easier to stick a GB sticker onto your car if you are driving into Europe. 

If you own your car you'll need to carry your V5C log book with you, if the car is hired or leased you will need a VE103 form to show you have permission to take it out of the UK.