DON’T GET CAUGHT OUT TRAVELLING ABROAD

It’s a question that often crops up now the UK has left the EU (and something that’s often overlooked). You might be scooting along foreign roads without a care in the world, but did you check you have the correct documentation to ride legally in Europe?

When we left the EU, the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) issued advice on what would be different. You should consider your insurance (both vehicle and personal). The Insurance Directive ceased to be effective and there could be changes in your insurance policy as to how claims would be dealt with. Ask your motor insurer.

You may require a Green Card to visit some EU countries, and not all EU countries accept the same Green Card. Again, your motor insurer should know the various rules.

Your European Health Insurance Card will no longer be of any effect. Thus you should consider establishing that your insurance cover includes full health insurance, including, if required, cover against the occurrence of existing medical conditions.

You also need to acquire an International Driving Permit.

You will be required to show a separate GB plate even if your vehicle is identified as being registered in the UK by the EU ‘GB’ number plate.

BE AWARE! This one catches out classic scooter riders on a regular basis: the Roadworthiness Testing Directive no longer applies, so we recommend you submit your scooter for an MoT test, even if it is exempt in the UK.

That way you’ll be in possession of evidence that the vehicle has passed a roadworthiness test if local law enforcement requests.

Not all local EU Low Emission Zones currently exempt historic vehicles. There may be some which exempt only historic vehicles from the EU. You will need to check locally.

This advice is offered only as a useful checklist. If you have specific questions, we recommend you take further advice from your insurance company, motoring organisations or the relevant Government websites where information is updated on a regular basis.