AA slams drive to end postal driving permit applications

THE AA is lobbying the Government to reverse its decision to strip it of its ability to issue international drivers permits (IPDs) in February, a move it fears could cause chaos.

The motoring organisation and its rival the RAC currently issue tens of thousands of IPDs a year by post. However, from February 1, the only way people will be able to get an international driving permit is in person from a post office counter.

Post Brexit, British drivers will have to carry one, possibly multiple permits depending on where they go, when they are travelling overseas, whether it is for business or pleasure. Additionally, British citizens based overseas would have to return to the UK first to get a permit, before they can fly back to retrieve their vehicle.

The AA said that this burden will be made worse by forcing people to go physically to the post office for their permits. AA president Edmund King said: “We have been talking to the Department for Transport about this, because post Brexit, they have made no provision for a postal service.

“If there is a no deal Brexit, expats and the 6-7 million people that go on holiday with their cars a year in Europe will be affected. What they are doing is forcing people to use a worse service than they have already.”