Travel
Driving law changes could have huge impact on Britons travelling to popular European destinations
British motorists are being urged to check their travel documents before setting off this year as the Government rolls out new measures.
Motorists who operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 3.5 tonnes when going abroad must have a range of licences and permits.
Drivers must have a vehicle operator licence to carry their own goods, both in the UK and on international journeys.
In a new update, the Department for Transport, the DVSA and Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain, announced that some rules for international road haulage permits would be changing.
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When travelling to Norway, drivers will need a bilateral road haulage permit
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Drivers will now need a bilateral road haulage permit to travel to or through Norway, instead of the UK Licence for the Community.
Motorists will also be able to get a bilateral road haulage permit for Azerbaijan, with this being the first update to the requirements since July last year.
The UK Licence for the Community is required if a British driver makes journeys for hire or reward within the European Union, Liechtenstein and Switzerland.
Drivers can use the UK Licence for the Community in the following countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
The Government also outlined that certain drivers will no longer need to use an ECMT (European Conference of Ministers of Transport) permit when carrying out a journey that involves Armenia.
Drivers will no longer need this permit if they are driving to or from Kazakhstan, Morocco and Tunisia.
This comes a week after the Department for Transport updated other guidance to mandate that Britons do not need a green card to drive in Belarus, Iran and Russia.
However, motorists will be required to apply for a green card before driving in the Balkan nation of Montenegro.
People are required to have a green card when driving in certain countries if they have fleet or multi-car insurance.
Drivers travelling around Europe are required to show their green cards after a car accident, at a police check or at the border when they move between the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway.
With the start of the summer holidays starting for many families around the UK in the coming weeks, motorists will be planning staycations and travelling around Europe.
Millions of Britons are expected to travel abroad this year, with large events like the Summer Olympics in Paris enticing drivers to visit Europe.
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Many Britons are expected to travel to France this summer
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Organisers of the Olympics said around 500,000 tickets had been sold to British people ahead of the opening ceremony taking place on Friday, July 26.
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