UK motorists will be able to drive across Europe without extra insurance under a No Deal Brexit
Officials are close to agreeing a deal to avoid the return of the Green Card, which drivers used to need on the continent
BRITISH motorists will be able to drive across Europe without having to get additional insurance even under a no deal Brexit, officials told Parliament yesterday.
EU and British officials are close to agreeing a deal to avoid the return of the Green Card, which drivers used to have to obtain and carry when on the continent.
Under current rules all car insurance policies must include the same basic cover in all EU countries and nations with third party agreements.
The Green Card-free zone is not officially an EU agreement but as a member Britain is signed up to it.
The UK will have to sign a new arrangement to maintain the Green Card-free zone after Brexit, which would also allow European motorists to drive here without having to get additional insurance.
Martin Jones, deputy director of the EU Division in the Department for Transport told a Lords committee yesterday that Britain and the EU was close to agreeing a new third party arrangement for Britain to keep existing arrangements in place.
He told the EU Internal Market Sub-Committee: “The arrangements for the Green Card circulation zone are actually outside of the EU - it’s a separate agreement between the different motoring insurance bureau and there are arrangements for third countries to join that so we’re in the process of trying to join that arrangement.”
Meanwhile Chris Grayling confirmed reports by The Sun that Dutch and Belgium ports are looking to take advantage of a slowdown at the port of Calais after Brexit.
The French have threatened to slap checks on every vehicle entering the port of Calais in a bid to punish Britain for Brexit.
But Mr Grayling told the same committee yesterday: “There are certainly other ports that are looking with interest at the opportunities that could be presented.”
He also reassured Brits that there won’t be any disruption to holidays next year amid fears that planes will be grounded under a no deal Brexit.
Speaking after the EU admitted they would not ban planes from flying even under a no deal, Mr Grayling said: “There are lots of questions about whether you can go on holiday next year.
“We’re very clear you can, the EU are very clear you can, the planes will carry on flying after Brexit.”
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