Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they made an assessment of the effects on the travel industry of their decision to require British citizens to quarantine when returning to the UK from France; and if so, what were the conclusions of that assessment.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Government has always been clear that we will not hesitate to act immediately should the data show that countries risk ratings have changed. The decision on France was taken following the persistent presence of cases in France of the Beta variant, which was first identified in South Africa.
The Government recognises the challenging circumstances businesses in the travel industry face as a result of Covid-19, which is why we have provided an unprecedented package of support to protect jobs and businesses totalling over £350 billion. This includes support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, support for businesses through grants and loans, business rates and VAT relief. We continue to take a flexible approach and keep all impacts and policies under review.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when UK citizens in EU Member States with whom reciprocal arrangements on driving licences have not been signed will lose their right to drive in those countries.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The UK has secured either permanent or interim arrangements with all EU Member States so that valid UK licence holders resident in the EU can continue to drive. The vast majority of the interim arrangements do not have an expiry date, pending finalisation of a permanent agreement. In EU Member States where there is an expiry date to the interim arrangements, the Department for Transport and our diplomatic Posts are working hard to reach a swift agreement.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why a reciprocal agreement on driving licences between the UK and France has not yet been signed.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Department for Transport has successfully agreed arrangements with France for the mutual recognition of photocard licences. As such, visitors with UK photocard licences will not need to carry an additional International Driving Permit when driving in France. We have also secured interim arrangements with the French authorities which will allow UK licence holders resident in France, to continue to use their valid UK licence until 1 January 2022. We are working with the French Government to finalise a permanent licence exchange agreement as soon as possible.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when an agreement on driving licences will be signed with the government of Spain given UK citizens in that country will lose their right to drive on 30 June.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
Department for Transport officials are making every effort to reach a swift understanding with Spain regarding long-term arrangements for licence exchange, without the need for a practical test, for UK licence holders resident in Spain. The British Embassy in Madrid is also working with the Spanish Government to secure an extension to the current interim arrangements, to allow UK licence holders to continue to use their UK licence while discussions on the agreement conclude.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government with which EU Member States they have (1) reached, and (2) signed, reciprocal agreements on driving licences.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Department for Transport has successfully agreed arrangements with all EU/EEA Member States for the mutual recognition of photocard licences. As such, visitors with UK photocard licences will not need to carry an additional International Driving Permit (IDP) when driving in any EU/EEA Member State.
The UK has secured permanent or long-term reciprocal arrangements for the exchange of licences with: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia Switzerland, Bulgaria, Iceland, Lithuania, Hungary, Netherlands, Sweden, Latvia and Belgium. The UK is working to conclude the formal agreements where required.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether a UK citizen who is resident in France can nominate an individual in the UK to buy an International Driving Permit on their behalf.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
A person must be resident in the UK and have a full UK driving licence to be able to obtain an International Driving Permit in the UK. An individual who is not resident in the UK is unable to nominate someone to buy one on their behalf.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 2 March (HL13474), whether they (1) know, or (2) have estimated the number of UK nationals living in France who have been left without a valid driving licence since the end of the transition period for the UK's departure from the EU; and what assessment they have made of the reasons for such licences no longer being valid.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
An estimate of the number of UK nationals in France without a valid licence since 1 January 2021 has not yet been obtained. UK nationals who became resident in France before 1 January 2021 can continue to use their valid UK licences until 31 December 2021. The French authorities have confirmed that a valid UK licence will continue to be exchanged in this period, until a reciprocal agreement is reached between the United Kingdom and France.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what reciprocal arrangements are in place between the UK and each EU member state with regard to driving licences.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
All EU/EEA Member States, except for Italy, have confirmed reciprocal arrangements for exchanging licences, confirming that a retest will not be required for resident UK nationals. Most of our agreements are permanent arrangements and a small number require formal agreements which will be concluded before the end of this year. Where these agreements are needed, the UK has secured interim arrangements with the relevant Member States. All EU/EEA countries have confirmed that International Driving Permits will not be required by UK visitors.
Asked by: Baroness Miller of Chilthorne Domer (Liberal Democrat - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have for th DVLA to be able to grant an extension to UK drivers' licences that are due to expire, where there are no reciprocal arrangements regarding driving licences with EU member states.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
UK legislation does not permit the DVLA to extend a UK national’s driving licence, if they are not a UK resident. There are no plans to amend the regulations. All EU/EEA Member States, except for Italy, have confirmed reciprocal arrangements for exchanging licences. Most of our agreements are permanent arrangements and a small number require formal agreements which will be concluded before the end of this year. Where these agreements are needed, the UK has secured interim arrangements with the relevant Member States.