This media release was issued when the UK’s exit from the EU was planned for 29 March 2019.

As the UK’s exit from the European Union (EU) has been delayed until 31 October 2019 (unless the Withdrawal Agreement is agreed by Parliament earlier than this), MIB has stood down its services to provide temporary Green Cards to UK motorists travelling to Europe from the ports of Dover, Channel Tunnel Folkestone, Portsmouth and Hull.

UK drivers going to the EU after a no-deal Brexit will need to carry a Green Card certificate, issued to them by their insurer. These are printed documents which must be presented to authorities in the EU on request.

Motorists planning to drive in the EU after 29 March, must ensure that they have applied directly to their insurer.

MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), acting on behalf of the UK government and insurers, is planning to set up temporary Green Card issuing services at four UK ports: Dover, Folkestone, Portsmouth and Hull.

Dominic Clayden, Chief Executive at MIB, said: “This may not be a perfect solution for every motorist travelling to the EU. The inherent risk for anyone relying on MIB for a Green Card at their port of exit to the EU is that they could be faced with missing their ferry or train.

“MIB will only issue a Green Card with consent as long as the insurance company gives consent. There will be limited capacity to issue these documents at the ports and we know that we won’t be able to help everyone. So it’s essential that people get in touch with their insurer to arrange their Green Card in good time.”

Clayden concluded, “If the European Commission agrees that Green Card’s aren’t needed, then we can continue to travel as we do now. It would make these preparations unnecessary, but we believe it’s the right thing to do.”

Key points

In the event of a no-deal Brexit on 29 March, the UK will almost certainly no longer be in the Green Card-free area.
• Motor insurance policyholders wishing to travel to EU and EEA countries from 29 March will need a Green Card.
• Green Cards will be required under EU regulations as proof of motor insurance. The documents are supplied by your insurer and customers are advised to contact their insurer about a month before they travel to make sure they get a Green Card in good time.
• Those who travel without a Green Card may be breaking the law and may not be allowed to drive in the country they are visiting. The same requirements will apply to EU motorists travelling to the UK.
• Green cards may be issued electronically (e.g. as a PDF document) but must be printed prior to departure on green paper or card and carried throughout the journey.
• Insurers are preparing to issue Green Cards before 29 March to customers who intend to travel prior to that date but will only return to the UK afterwards.
• Insurers are making every effort to ensure that their customers are aware that they need to get a Green Card.
• MIB and the insurance industry is planning for the prospect that UK motorists may arrive at UK ports without a Green Card or with a card in an unacceptable format (perhaps because they are unaware of the change or have not fully understood its implications).This has the potential to cause severe disruption both to the ports and to individual motorists.
• As MIB is the underpinning authority for the issue of Green Cards it is providing a facility of last resort providing limited capacity to issue Green Cards for UK motorists travelling to the EEA.
• The proposed facility will be delivered at four designated ports - Channel Tunnel, Dover, Portsmouth and Hull.
• MIB is covering the major ports and not all ports of embarkation for logistical reasons and with agreement from the DfT. This means that this will not be a blanket solution for every situation. It should help reduce the impact. This approach has the support of the FCA.
• The operating hours of the service at each port is to be confirmed and it will run for a limited period only (maximum of 6 months).
• This solution will only be designed to handle of 5-10% of the outbound traffic through these ports for vehicles travelling to the EEA (including private and commercial).
• The facility will be located on-site in a temporary office at these four ports as close as possible to the point of embarkation.
• Green Card will only be issued for UK registered vehicles.
• The facility at the port will also be shared with DVLA for processing International Driving Permits.
• MIB will not issue Green Cards without individual insurer consent.
• Further information can be found on MIB’s website: www.mib.org.uk/driving-abroad-eu-exit/