lic

I discovered a few weeks ago, it's illegal to drive a Spanish registered car in the U.K on a U.K. driver's licence. There are a few exceptions.
I own a Spanish registered vehicle, which is fully legal. I was stuck in Spain due to the Covid 19 restrictions. Desperate to get back to U.K (where I live) for family reasons.
As there were no flights I decided to drive. I then discovered my car could be impounded if caught in U.K.driving on UK licence. I have been told this also applies in France.
I don't know if the same applies in other EU states.
I wonder how many others on this forum are unaware of this?
I have posted this to warn others in my situation, so that they do not fall foul and have their vehicle impounded.
I did manage fly home a couple of days ago.

Notdunroamin

You discovered this where exactly ?

lic

Google. Honest john. Gov.uk

Notdunroamin

Actually I misread your post, if you're UK resident (Desperate to get back to U.K (where I live)) then you can't drive a Spanish regged car in UK at all, which licence you hold is irrelevant to that other than the fact that it will get you 6 points for driving without insurance.

There is nothing whatsoever NEW about this so it's a 'discovery' for you alone and should read 'my car could be impounded if caught in U.K.driving it'

lic

Hi,
Thanks for your reply.
just to let you know it would not invalidate my insurance, as it would be a driving licence offence.
My car is fully legal, a drivers licence offence does not cancel or invalidate car insurance!

spainrico

'a drivers licence offence does not cancel or invalidate car insurance!' sure about that??

lic

Absolutely!
If you don't have a driver's licence, you cannot get insurance. if you have a full licence, and are driving a vehicle of a category of which you
authorised to drive, your insurance is not invalidated. It might constitute an offence of driving a motor vehicle other than in accordance with a driver's licence.
But I cannot find a definitive answer to this.
Similarly, if you drive a vehicle without an M.O.T, your are insured.
The circumstances of my OP would not invalidate my insurance as I would be covered by my Spanish Insurance with a green card for 90 days.
I suspect that it is due to any traffic fines/toll bridge fees that might go unpaid as Police would not know where to make enquiries to trace the driver.

jogger

Can I ask, if you are a Spanish resident, with Spanish registered car and licence, is there a time limit on how long you can drive it in the UK. I will be spending about 7 months in spain and 5 in the UK.
Thanks

Notdunroamin

Yes, 6 months in any 12.