Apple1

Hi everyone

So I'm planning on driving via France to Spain in may but my mot and insurance run out at the end of May, so my question is and this sounds silly what do I do as I plan to spend at least 6 months there ?? Do I have to go home get a mot and insure in the uk again ? And do I have to continue to pay uk road tax even though it will be on Spanish roads? Any help please also do I need to carry certain things i.e. High vis vest ? Triangle etc etc

lgm1963

You can get your MOT renewed before you go.

Apple1

Yeah I'm fully aware of that but I need to leave before it expires so what are my options .. (like I didn't already know that)

lgm1963

you can renew your mot a calendar month before it expires, you don't have to wait for expiry. You do not lose your expiry so effectively you get 13 months MOT.

And if your car is still registered in the UK, yes you will still have to pay vehicle excise duty on it.

Apple1

Ok thank you .. do I have to carry my paperwork with me in the car do you know and do I need one of those kits for Europe light bulb kit vest breth test kit etc etc

Rosemary

M.O.T. can be renewed up to one month before it expires. Road tax can be renewed up to two months before it expires. So it would probably be best if you deal with both before you leave as that would save you a lot of hassle later.

In Spain you have to carry the car paperwork in the car. Previously you needed to carry spare bulbs but this has changed because it is impossible for an individual to change the bulb without specialist tools.

Rosemary

Apple1

Ok thank you for your help 🙂👍

lurchio

Don't forget the Insurance, the penalties here are huge for that one and your car will be confiscated. So best to carry that as well, I assure you. Guardia Civil Trafico are not as 'cuddly' as the UK Police, around in greater numbers and well pro active. Anyway, its mandatory.


If you want to keep the expiry date as a 13 monther, then yes, a month before the current MOT expiry BUT if you don't mind losing that, you can MOT your car afresh at ANY Time prior to the expiry date and outside that month. Obviously, the new one will start on the date of the test and expire 12 months later but will certainly cover your plans.

missile

You must pay road tax (or rather VED as it is now called) and your insurance. If not expect a fine from DVLA waiting for you on your return. If you have a passenger(?) you need to carry two vests, triangles and spare bulbs. AA and RAC have excellent guides on what is required and recommended for motorists travelling abroad.

tuhler

Some one posted that spare bulbs are not needed..this is correct in spain
..

Fred James

You do not need bulbs. For my car they cost €1000!

tuhler

Fred ...I did not know fiat 500 bulbs were so expensive

Fred James

It's the postage from Amazon!

guesswork

Generally your UK insurance will only cover you being abroad for 3 months.

I brought my car over to Spain for over 6 months, MOT'd it just prior to travelling and took out insurance with a company called Andrew Copeland, the policy covered me for up to 12 months abroad.

I then went back and MOT'd again

missile

OP said According to the RAC