Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to support British citizens driving in EU countries after 29 March 2019 who do not hold a green card.
Answered by Lord Grayling
If Green Cards are required from 29th March 2019, motorists should contact their vehicle insurer who will be able to provide them with advice on Green Card requirements and issue them with any relevant documentation. This still applies if an individual is in an EU country after exit day and does not hold a Green Card.
It should be noted that the UK will meet all the requirements for remaining part of the Green Card-free circulation zone on our exit from the EU and we continue to urge the European Commission to issue an implementing decision that would ensure UK motorists can drive in the EU without a Green Card and vice versa.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what guidance he plans to provide to EU officials charged with administrating the green card rules on the rules governing the use of digital cards in place of a physical cards.
Answered by Lord Grayling
A Green Card is an internationally recognised document issued for free by motor insurers that provides proof of third party motor insurance while driving abroad.
The Council of Bureaux, the managing organisation of the Green Card system and the Motor Insurance Directives, does not have an agreement with the UN allowing motorists to use digital Green Cards instead of physical ones. In the event of ‘no deal’, the guidance from the UK Government is that UK motorists driving in the EU may need to carry a physical Green Card.
It should be noted that the UK will meet all of the requirements for remaining part of the Green Card-free circulation zone on our exit from the EU and we continue to urge the European Commission to issue an implementing decision that would ensure UK motorists can drive in the EU without a Green Card and vice versa.
Asked by: Kate Green (Labour - Stretford and Urmston)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate he has made of the unit cost of administering the distribution of a green card for driving in the EU in 2019; and projection his Department has made of the ongoing cost of administering that distribution.
Answered by Lord Grayling
My officials and I have engaged, and continue to engage, with the motor insurance industry and other relevant departments to ensure that both the Government and insurance sector are prepared for every eventuality.
We have discussed the need for any financial support with the motor insurance industry, in particular the Motor Insurers’ Bureau, in preparation for a ‘no deal’ scenario. However, the cost to the industry of providing their customers with Green Cards as proof of third party motor insurance while abroad in the event of ‘no deal’ is expected to be minimal and financial support offered by the Government has not been deemed necessary by the industry at this stage. Green Cards are provided to motorists free-of-charge by their insurers, although they may choose to reflect production and handling costs through a small increase to their administration fees depending on demand.
It should be noted that the UK continues to meet all of the requirements for remaining part of the Green Card-free circulation zone and we continue to urge the European Commission to issue an implementing decision that would ensure UK motorists can drive in the EU without a Green Card and vice versa.