What UK lorry and goods vehicle drivers need to do to drive professionally in the EU from 1 January 2021.
Driving licences and international driving permits
You will still need to carry your UK driving licence with you.
You may also need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in some EU and EEA countries from 1 January 2021.
The type of IDP that you may need will depend on the countries you will drive through. Further detail on this will be available later in 2020.
You will not need an IDP to drive when visiting Ireland if you have a UK driving licence.
You can get an IDP over the counter at the Post Office.
Driver CPC for lorry drivers
You need a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification to drive a lorry professionally in the UK, the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
If you work for a UK company and have a UK Driver CPC qualification
You will still need Driver CPC to drive professionally in the UK. You must still complete your Driver CPC periodic training by your deadline.
You do not need to do anything else if you’re a UK driver working for a UK company.
You will still be able to drive to or through EU countries with your UK Driver CPC qualification for all international journeys that UK companies are allowed to make.
Passports
You may need to renew your British passport earlier if you’re travelling from 1 January 2021.
On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:
- have at least 6 months left
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)
If you do not renew it, you may not be able to travel to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
It usually takes 3 weeks if you need to renew your passport. There’s a premium service if you need it sooner.
These rules do not apply to travel to Ireland. You can continue to use your passport as long as it’s valid for the length of your stay.
Healthcare
You should always get appropriate travel insurance with healthcare cover before you go abroad.
Your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) card may not be valid from 1 January 2021.
Vehicle and trailer insurance
A ‘green card’ is proof that you have motor insurance cover when driving abroad. You should plan to carry one for the vehicle your driving in the EU and EEA from 1 January 2021.
You will need to carry multiple green cards if:
- you have fleet insurance – you’ll need a green card for each vehicle
- your vehicle is towing a trailer or caravan - you’ll need one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer / caravan (you need separate trailer insurance in some countries)
- you have 2 policies covering the duration of your trip, for example, if your policy renews during the journey
Make sure your employer contacts their vehicle insurance provider at least 1 month before you need green cards.
GB stickers and number plates
Display a Great Britain (GB) sticker on the rear of the vehicle and trailer, even if the vehicle has a number plate with the Euro symbol or a GB national identifier.
You do not need to display a GB sticker to drive in Ireland.