Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether the mutual recognition of qualifications for tour guides accompanying tours into the EU will cover registered driver guides using their own car to conduct tours.

Now the Transition Period is over, the Mutual Recognition of Professional Qualifications Directive no longer applies to UK nationals. This means that if a UK national wishes to practice a regulated profession in the EU, they will need to meet the legal requirements of the relevant EU Member State. Professionals should consult the European Commission Regulated Professionals Database to understand whether the profession in question is regulated, and secondly, what other licenses or authorisations they may need to work in that profession. It is important to note that the recognition of a professional qualification does not automatically cover the licences to operate vehicles in the EU.

The Government is committed to establishing arrangements with EU countries that facilitate motoring with the minimum of bureaucracy. In 2020, all EU countries, as well as Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein have confirmed recognition of UK driving licences which means that International Driving Permits will not be required by visiting UK motorists with photocard driving licences from 1 January 2021.