Northern Ireland

Requiring International Driving Permit to cross border would be 'disastrous' SF warn

A no-deal Brexit could lead to drivers being required to hold International Driving Permits at the border. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire.
A no-deal Brexit could lead to drivers being required to hold International Driving Permits at the border. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire. A no-deal Brexit could lead to drivers being required to hold International Driving Permits at the border. Picture by Brian Lawless/PA Wire.

A situation in which Northern Ireland motorists would require an International Driving Permit to cross the border in the event of a no-deal Brexit would have "huge implications" for people and businesses, it has been warned.

The British government has issued updated guidance papers for citizens in the event the UK fails to reach an agreement with Brussels ahead of it's departure from the European Union next March.

Among the latest advice is a warning that a UK driving licence "may no longer be valid by itself when driving in the EU". Currently, UK driving licences are valid across EU states, but should the UK leave without a deal, the government has said an International Driving Permit (IDP) might also be required to drive in the EU, including the Republic.

The IDPs would be available from post offices at a cost of £5.50, and the government guidance states: "You may be turned away at the border or face other enforcement action, for example fines, if you don’t have the correct IDP."

The warning has sparked anger from Sinn Féin, whose MEP Martina Anderson said the plans highlight "how little the British government cares" about border communities in Ireland.

"This shows the ludicrousness of the Tory Brexit agenda and also how little knowledge, appreciation or care they have for people in areas like Derry, which is essentially a cross-border city, and the many thousands across the north who drive across the border every day to work or study," Ms Anderson said.

"It also begs the question of how this will be enforced and raises legitimate concerns over lengthy border delays if permits are to be checked. Such a development would be disastrous for businesses, particularly small businesses in border areas, and could have huge implications for the tourism and service industries north and south."

The guidance papers refer to the UK's "unique relationship" with Ireland, and said they would "take full account of the unique circumstances of Northern Ireland" when preparing for a no-deal scenario.

Ms Anderson added: "In all, there is nothing to allay anyone's fears over Brexit in these papers. Instead it adds to the uncertainty with the only thing we do know for sure is that Tory Brexiteers do not care about the north and never did."