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FAQs - Vehicles

Driving licence

Insurance

Registration

Renewing and obtaining driving licences

  • I am from Holland, where driving licences (for cars) have a limited duration, and am moving to France, where they do not. My Dutch licence is about to expire, but will my new French one be unlimited?  

    YES — The new licence you will be issued by the French authorities will also have unlimited validity, as long as you continue to live in France.

  • I am renewing my driving licence in a different EU country to the one that issued it. Do I have to produce a translation?  

    NO — There is no legal requirement to do this. The authorities in the new country will issue you a local licence.

  • I have moved to another EU country. Can I still renew my driving licence in my country of origin?  

    NO — Only in the country where you now live.

  • I have moved to another European country, my new country of residence has recognised my licence but wants to shorten its validity and make me take a medical exam. Is that legal?    

    YES — They’re entitled to apply the same restrictions to your licence as to those issued locally.

    The new validity period for your driving licence will start on the date you take up residence in your new home country.

    As for the expiry date, ask the licence issuing authorities there, and also whether any other restrictions apply. Some countries also require medical exams for licence renewals.

  • I'm moving to another European country - will my current licence be recognised there?

    YES — If your original licence was issued by an EU country, it will be recognised throughout the EU. You will not be required to trade it in for a local driving licence.

    NOT NECESSARILY — If your original licence was issued outside the EU, and then exchanged for a local licence in one EU country, other EU countries are not obliged to recognise it.

    For example, you exchanged your US driving licence for a French one while living in France, but are now moving to Sweden – Sweden may decide to recognise your French licence or issue you a local Swedish one.

    If this is your situation, please contact the authorities in the new country to find out whether your licence is recognised.

  • Is it possible to have two driving licences issued by different EU countries?

    NO — You may not hold a driving licence from more than one. This includes licences that have been revoked due to a driving offence.

  • I’m studying abroad in the EU and would like to get a driving licence. Where should I apply?  

    Either in your country of origin or the country you’re studying in (if you’ve been living there for at least 6 months).

Community model licence

  • Can I apply for the plastified licence?

    NO — It depends where you live - some countries issue the Community model licence in a paper version only.

  • My driving licence is not a new “Community model licence”. Is it still valid?

    YES — If issued in a European country, it remains valid throughout Europe until its stated expiry date.

    You can trade it in for a new Community licence before it expires. But once it expires, the new licence issued will anyway be the Community model.

    Your rights remain the same with both types of licences.

Driving licence categories

  • Are the categories in my licence valid in other European countries?

    SOME ARE — Optional sub-categories A1, B1, C1, C1+E, D1 and D1+E are recognised throughout Europe.

    SOME AREN’T — Some remain purely national.

    For example, category F for tractors on UK licences won’t necessarily be recognised in another EU country where you may be trying to exchange your licence for a local one.

    In this case, it will be up to the national authority concerned whether to grant you the equivalent category on your new licence.

  • Can I drive my quad bike on a motorcycle licence during my holidays abroad?

    While some EU countries allow you to drive 3 and 4-wheeled motorbikes (category B1) on a motorbike licence (category A or A1 licence), this is valid on their national territory only.

    The same rule applies to countries that allow you to drive category A1 vehicles with a category B licence – this entitlement doesn't extend to the territory of other EU countries.

  • I already have a driving licence issued in an EU country and want to get an additional category in the country I now live in. How should I proceed?  

    Apply to the authorities in the country where you now live. If/when you get the new category, your original licence will be exchanged for a new one.

    Note that some countries impose more restrictions than others on motorbike licences (an A or A1 category licence), and medical requirements may vary from country to country.

Stolen or lost driving licences

  • I've lost my licence / had it stolen. What now?  

    Are you living in the country that issued it? Ask the authorities there for a duplicate.

    Are you living in a different (EU) country? You'll have to get a new licence from the authorities there. It will be a licence of that country, rather than a duplicate of your old licence.

Driving bans (revoked licences)

  • I live in Spain and recently received a driving ban there – on my Belgian licence. Can I still use my licence in Belgium?  

    NO — A driving ban issued by the country in which you have your normal residence, applies in all countries, worldwide.

  • I recently received a driving ban while on holiday in Spain. I live in Belgium, where my licence was issued - can I still use my licence there?  

    YES — A driving ban issued by the country you were visiting, only applies to this country. When you leave, the authorities must return your licence to you.

Drivers under 18

  • Are category B licences issued to under-18s in some countries recognised by other EU countries?  

    NOT ALWAYS — Some EU countries may refuse to recognise them.

International licences

  • I've got an international driving licence. Is it valid throughout the EU?  

    NOT NECESSARILY — No EU country is obliged to recognise an international licence, even if it has already been recognised by a fellow EU country.

    To find out, contact the authorities in the country where you'll be driving. As well as the international licence itself, you'll need to show a valid licence for the country that issued the international one.

Insurance coverage

  • Will my insurance cover me in another EU country?

    YES — Your compulsory third-party liability insurance remains valid if you travel to or temporarily stay in another EU country.

    NOT NECESSARILY — For comprehensive cover (fire, theft, damage to your car, etc.), you'll need to check with your insurer if it'll be valid abroad during longer stays.

Where to buy insurance

  • I've bought a second-hand car in Germany and want to have it sent home to me in France. Should I buy insurance in France or in Germany?  

    Normally you should buy insurance in the country where you register the car (in this case, Germany, as you will have to by law).

    But because you live in France and will have your car registered there after the initial registration in Germany, you're obliged to use a French insurer.

    You should clearly explain to your insurer that you'll also need cover from the moment the car is dispatched from Germany until you finally register it in France.

Cost of car insurance

  • Why does the cost of car insurance vary so much between European countries?  

    Because prices are still influenced a lot by local conditions in each country.

    For example, compensation amounts for victims, civil liability regimes and the cost of vehicle repairs still vary widely between countries.

Car registration and taxes

  • I spend half my week in the country where I’m resident and the other half working in another EU country, which I drive to. Where should I register my car?  

    If you’re commuting regularly like this, you can keep the car registered in your country of residence.

  • I'm Italian and every year I take a 3-month holiday in my second home in the French Alps, taking my car with me. Can I register my car in France?  

    NO — You can only register your car in the country where you are permanently resident.

  • I'm a Polish student, enrolled on a 2-year Master's course in the UK. Do I have to register my car there?  

    NO — If the sole purpose of your stay is to study.

    YES — If you also start working during your stay.

  • I'm working in another EU country on a 10-month temporary contract, after which I'll be returning home. Do I have to register my car in that country?  

    YES — Because your stay is longer than 6 months.

Formalities

  • I want to buy a car in Germany but take it back home to Holland to register it. Do I have to pay the VAT twice and then claim it back?  

    NO — Just tell the German vendor you are going to register the car in another country. You will then only pay VAT in Holland.

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