A no-deal Brexit is one step closer with the new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. This also has consequences for Britons wishing to rent a car or van in the European Union.
To cut a long story short, if the United Kingdom (UK) leaves the European Union (EU) without a deal, UK residents will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to hire a car in the Netherlands.
What's precisely the situation?
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal on 31 October, then nothing will change. UK residents will be able to hire a car with their ‘ordinary’ driving licence, identity card and credit card. However, if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, then from that date – at least for the time being – Brits will need an international driving permit in addition to their British driving licence in order to hire a car in the EU. The UK and the EU will eventually agree on a new arrangement that makes this international driving permit unnecessary, but for the time being, that is not yet the case.
Small effort, potentially big consequences
So is it really that difficult to get an international driving permit? Not at all. For the price of a portion of fish and chips, any Brit with a driving licence can buy one at their post office.
Without an IDP, you may not be able to hire a car in the Netherlands from 31 October onwards, depending on whether a deal is reached or not. Not having an IDP may contravene the terms of the car insurance that comes as standard with a hire car, potentially leaving you personally liable for the financial consequences of damage or theft. And that will hit your wallet harder than the few pence an IDP costs.
Good to know finally: if you want to hire a car in the UK as an EU citizen, you do not need an international driving permit. Your ‘regular’ driving licence is sufficient as an EU resident. At Adrem Car Rental, you can, of course, simply rent a car in the Heerlen region Rent!
