Road to Brexit has multiple destinations

While a new relationship has long been anticipated in trade and the movement of goods and people such a huge reconnect in the link between the EU and the UK was always going to affect much more than the obvious.

A hint at what is to come was touched on in the latest Brexit update, which revealed that the island is working hard to safeguard the right for islanders to drive their cars on European roads.

That may involve changes to driving licence regulations but, more importantly, it will also look at which vehicles are registered to drive.

It was not stated explicitly but it is clear that with no mandatory annual vehicle tests the islands are an unregulated anomaly. And the EU hates unregulated anomalies.

The States has consistently rejected industry calls for an MOT. They say that very few accidents in the island can be directly put down to the poor condition of vehicles involved. They also hope that the worst examples of dangerous vehicles are caught by police and the Vehicle Defect Rectification Scheme.

In terms of island driving they may well be right. Low speed limits certainly make it less risky to be driving an old banger when something goes wrong.

However, that all changes the minute our cars travel to the UK or Continent. At that point it is impossible to argue that island vehicles do not need to be as safe as all other cars, trucks and motorbikes.

The islands will not want to change. Typical MOT costs in the UK of up to £55 a year for cars (over three years old) and £30 for motorbikes will not be popular.

Nor will the States want the administrative burden of keeping an MOT register updated and ensuring that garages and mechanics are up to the task.

But without support from the UK or EU it seems optimistic to hope that the islands can maintain their cosy little anomaly through Brexit.

If a transition to MOT tests is coming fast around the corner it is best to be prepared.