Traffic & Highway Services said staff were working hard to accommodate the ‘additional workload’ with the £13 permit fee covering staff costs following Brexit-related changes to the law relating to driving in Europe. The same permit can be acquired by drivers in the UK for £5.50.
To help guarantee the freedom of islanders to drive in the European Union, amendments were made to legislation to ensure compliance with the Vienna Convention from 29 March.
IDPs entitle a holder to drive abroad when carried with a domestic licence in most EU and European Economic Area countries.
Spain, Iceland, Malta and Cyprus require a 1949 (Geneva Convention) IDP while Liechtenstein requires a 1926 (Paris Convention) IDP.
Drivers may require more than one IDP, for example if travelling through France and Spain.
Future requirements for IDPs may also change depending on the outcome of Brexit.
An IDP is not required for driving in the UK, Ireland, Switzerland, Jersey or the Isle of Man.
‘Since the beginning of March we have issued some 250 1968 (Vienna) IDPs and 100 1949 (Geneva) IDPs.
‘We currently have approximately 200 further applications to process and staff at Driver and Vehicle Licensing are working hard to accommodate this additional workload,’ said a Traffic & Highway Services spokesman.
Referring to the cost of IDPs, he said: ‘There are obvious advantages through economies of scale for the UK who are expecting to issue several million IDPs this year.
‘A fee of £13 is being charged to cover the costs of staff time for processing.
‘In view of the expected significant increase in applications for IDPs arising from uncertainty relating to Brexit, it was not considered appropriate to further increase the cost of an IDP when reviewing Driver and Vehicle Licensing fees earlier this year.’
From 29 March, some trailers towed in Europe and further afield must also be registered. These are a commercial use trailer with a maximum gross weight exceeding 750kg and any trailer with a maximum gross weight exceeding 3,500kg.
A ‘non-commercial’ trailer, such as a caravan, with a maximum gross weight between 750kg and 3,500kg, can be voluntarily registered for journeys in Europe.
Registered trailers will be issued with a vehicle registration certificate which should be carried when the trailer is being towed.
It will also be necessary to display a unique registration number prefixed with a ‘T’ on all registered trailers.
IDPs and trailer registrations can be obtained from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Office at Bulwer Avenue.
Director of Traffic & Highway services Karl Guille said: ‘These specific changes relating to IDPs and trailer registrations will happen on 29 March irrespective of whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal or in the event that Brexit is delayed by extending Article 50.’
Travellers appeared to be taking the changes in their stride.
Condor passenger Steve Collins, who was travelling to France on business, said: ‘To me really it makes no odds. I phoned the insurance about my renewal and queried whether it [IDP] would be an issue and I was told no. I think I remember we used to have to do something similar before we joined the EU.’
Fellow passenger Julie Hetherington said: ‘There are so many changes going on at the moment, it’s just one of those things we are going to have to do.’
Nigel Ward, who was heading for a holiday, echoed the sentiment. ‘If you have to then you have to, it is not going to stop us going away to the Continent. I just expect we will have to pay a little extra,’ he said.
n For all information, guidelines and application forms visit www.gov.gg/drivingabroad.
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