Riding your classic bike abroad after Brexit

With Brexit looming large this month, owners and riders of historic and classic vehicles will no doubt be wondering what this means for them if they are aiming to travel across the channel or Irish Sea.

The Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs (FBHVC) has now issued advice on what will be different if the UK leaves the EU on March 29 without a deal… with the first and main point being to consult Government websites – as Whitehall departments develop their plans, information is posted online on a regular basis.

The following are areas which the federation considers owners of classics should think about if intending to travel, either as a driver or passenger.

• You should consider your insurance, both vehicle and personal.

• The Insurance Directive will cease to be effective and there could be changes to how claims would be dealt with. Ask your motor insurer.

• You may require a Green Card to visit EU countries, and not all EU countries accept the same Green Card. 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 may need any driver to acquire an International Driving Permit

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

• The Roadworthiness Testing Directive will no longer apply. You may wish to submit your vehicle to an MOT test, even if it is exempt, so that you will be in possession of evidence that the vehicle has passed a roadworthiness test if local law enforcement requests.

• Not all local 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 must not be regarded as complete or accurate; it is offered only as a useful checklist. If you have specific questions, we will try to help, but in the current uncertainty, we will not necessarily know the answer.

The federation says this advice must not be regarded as complete or accurate but says it’s “a useful checklist”.

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