The decision by the States yesterday brings the island into line with international standards that will ensure local drivers will be able to drive throughout Europe after Brexit.
The changes also mean that passengers in the back seat of cars will have to wear seat belts and the island’s Highway Code will become law.
The proposals were placed by Environment & Infrastructure and Policy & Resources.
E&I president Barry Brehaut said it was in the island’s best interest to accept these changes, even if the UK Brexit deal did not go through as planned and there was a transition period until the end of 2020.
These proposals will see the UN Convention on Road Traffic, 1968 (the Vienna Convention) extended to the island from 29 March 2019, or as soon as possible thereafter.
Deputy Brehaut said that although islanders could drive in Europe with an international licence, since the UK was a signatory of the Geneva Convention, it was moving to adopt the Vienna Convention and it made sense for the island to extend it here, the same as Jersey had already done.
Deputy Neil Inder said not all local drivers would want to drive in Europe and suggested it would be better to accept the convention in principle rather than going in ‘all guns blazing’.
‘This is another thing that’s being forced on us,’ said Deputy Barry Paint, who said he could see no reason why people who owned ‘reasonable’ vehicles in the island under the existing law could not be allowed to drive them here, even if the island complied with the convention.
Deputy John Gollop suggested there could be some exceptions locally for vehicles unlikely ever to leave the island, although he supported the idea of accepting the convention.
While not a lover of the bureaucracy of an MOT-style test, Deputy Peter Roffey said it seemed as if the island had little choice at this stage.
After a brief debate the propositions were put to the vote and approved by 26 to eight, with deputies Paint, Ferbrache, Lester Queripel, Inder, Laurie Queripel, Smithies and both Alderney representatives Jean and McKinley voting against.
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