French licence swap leaves Briton unable to drive €100,000 campervan (2 Viewers)

[Widge]

I suspect the comment was somewhat tongue in cheek.....

Oops

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Further info on this

Campervans: many UK drivers will need to sit French driving test

People living in France will lose right to drive larger vans, campervans and minibuses when they swap licence if they did not sit a specific test in the UK

www.connexionfrance.com

 

[The Wino]

It's good to highlight it as a possible issue but I really can't see how anyone moving to another country can pick which laws they would like changed. I think the bloke in the article would be better trying to cancel the order or get one less than 3500.

 

[gus-lopez]

It's good to highlight it as a possible issue but I really can't see how anyone moving to another country can pick which laws they would like changed. I think the bloke in the article would be better trying to cancel the order or get one less than 3500.

Be better if thecfrenchvactually did what EU rules state ,rather than what there own laws state, which in no way have preference unless they bestow greater benefits to the citizen than EU ones do.

 

[enark]

The law (if its correct) is the law.

We would not accept taliban rules to be the norm in our country? Well we shouldnt!!!!!!

I have every sympathy, but unless we have reciprocal agreements, then dont fancy your chances of it been overturned?

Re-apply for UKlicence?

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[Barriesimpson]

He wanted a French licence but won't abide by French laws?

Should have checked first. I double checked everything when I got my Spanish licence.

But did they include the C1? No, didn't think so, mine neither.

 

[Chris]

Bloody French

 

[Yorick]

But did they include the C1? No, didn't think so, mine neither.

Yup. Got everything OK

 

[Barriesimpson]

Yup. Got everything OK

Well I'm happy for you. I exchanged my licence 200 years ago and the C1 was not included. I had no idea, as I was 21 and had no intention of driving trucks. Now, after all these years I realise I need it because 3.500kg is just not possible in any modern motorhome. However, as the European law has changed and been ratified by the European Government (??) class B will now allow up to 4.250kg. This amendment will enter law at the beginning of 2025 here in Spain. My other option is to exchange my Spanish licence for a British one, as they have assured me that all entitlements will be respected.

 

[Widge]

Be better if thecfrenchvactually did what EU rules state ,rather than what there own laws state, which in no way have preference unless they bestow greater benefits to the citizen than EU ones do.

The EU rules state.

When you exchange your original driving licence for a local one, you will be subject to that country's rules on driving licences (for example on validity periods and medical checks).

In other words in the case of a licence exchange, the EU accepts that the local licensing has overall authority. In whatever EU country you are in.

I believe that while the UK was in the eu exceptions were made for the abnormality with inherited catogories, In my case I gained and ended up with a full C1 as if I had taken my test. But now the uk is no longer part of the EU there's no reason to honour this exception anymore.

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[enark]

Same for Germans, they kept grandfather rights, guess the issue is the UK not been a member of the EU

 

[G-RMPS]

I didn't even have to leave the UK to be disadvantaged. When we left the UK my European pilots licence (LAPL) was downgraded to a UK-only one :-(

 

[Barriesimpson]

I didn't even have to leave the UK to be disadvantaged. When we left the UK my European pilots licence (LAPL) was downgraded to a UK-only one :-(

Really? I did mine in Spain and it is perfectly valid in the UK.

 

[HKF]

... My other option is to exchange my Spanish licence for a British one, as they have assured me that all entitlements will be respected.

Are you allowed to do this if you're Spanish resident?

 

[Barriesimpson]

Are you allowed to do this if you're Spanish resident?

Apparently, if I have a valid UK address. I will use my son's address as he lives in Northern Ireland. We'll see, if it comes to that.

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[stewartwebr]

If you live in another country you play by their rules. Surely it would be easier to just take the driving test and get the required category on his license than entering into protracted legal battles which are never easy in your own country let alone a foreign one and of course never cheap regardless of country. Anything legal comes at a heavy price and no guarantees.

 

[Barriesimpson]

If you live in another country you play by their rules. Surely it would be easier to just take the driving test and get the required category on his license than entering into protracted legal battles which are never easy in your own country let alone a foreign one and of course never cheap regardless of country. Anything legal comes at a heavy price and no guarantees.

Yes absolutely, I have lived in Spain for 43 years already and play by their rules. However, if you can get an entitlement to a C1 on you license without paying €3.000 I think most people would at least try.

 

[The Wino]

Yes absolutely, I have lived in Spain for 43 years already and play by their rules. However, if you can get an entitlement to a C1 on you license without paying €3.000 I think most people would at least try.

I don't think it's just the cost it's the time taken learning enough Spanish and prospect of possibly failing the test

 

[Barriesimpson]

I don't think it's just the cost it's the time taken learning enough Spanish and prospect of possibly failing the test

Well for some that may be true, but I speak fluent Spanish.

 

[The Wino]

Well for some that may be true, but I speak fluent Spanish.

I can never understand people who move to another country and don't seem to make any effort to learn the language the same with people who come to the UK I actually think catering for other languages reduces the incentive to learn the language in the country you move to

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[Widge]

I do not know how you presumed to know when I acquired my Polish Licence, but you are wrong as it was issued 04.02.2021, so after Brexit and even after the end of the Withdrawal Agreement on 31.12.2020.

You changed your uk license to a Polish one, the rules on exchanging a non EU licence for a Polish licence are based on whatever agreement the uk has with Poland likewise the uk and france and has nothing to do with the EU rules of inter EU country exchanges.

 

[HKF]

I can never understand people who move to another country and don't seem to make any effort to learn the language the same with people who come to the UK I actually think catering for other languages reduces the incentive to learn the language in the country you move to

For some, it's not a choice. I have certain memory problems and find languages difficult. Added to that, I cannot guarantee that I'll live in France for ever. I may move back to the US, or to Spain, or to Malta etc. It would be impossible to learn a new language in each new country.

 

[The Wino]

You changed your uk license to a Polish one, the rules on exchanging a non EU licence for a Polish licence are based on whatever agreement the uk has with Poland likewise the uk and france and has nothing to do with the EU rules of inter EU country exchanges.

You could probably exchange for a Polish license then exchange that for a French one although moving country a couple of times would be a tad inconvenient!
There was a similar thing a few years ago with my job. At one time you could move to Australia and work with a UK qualification. They removed that several years ago but for a few years you could swap for a NZ registration and that was recognised in Australia!

 

[The Wino]

For some, it's not a choice. I have certain memory problems and find languages difficult. Added to that, I cannot guarantee that I'll live in France for ever. I may move back to the US, or to Spain, or to Malta etc. It would be impossible to learn a new language in each new country.

In which case I think it's not the responsibility of the country you move to to cater for your lack of the local language as you have decided to move there. Neither is it reasonable to expect them to alter their driving licence laws to cater for you.

 

[Spriddler]

If it's their rules then they apply.
A French person can ride a moped at 14 but they can't in the U.K. until 16.............................

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[Widge]

I wonder which way he voted, I would imagine if he had been a remainer, he would have blamed the people who voted to leave as much as the french authoritys.

 

[HKF]

In which case I think it's not the responsibility of the country you move to to cater for your lack of the local language as you have decided to move there. Neither is it reasonable to expect them to alter their driving licence laws to cater for you.

I don't expect them to alter any laws for me!!! That wasn't my point at all.

 

[The Wino]

I wonder which way he voted, I would imagine if he had been a remainer, he would have blamed the people who voted to leave as much as the french authoritys.

I suspect quite likely someone who thought he could do as he liked and any other country would allow it so the opposite persuasion!

 

[Widge]

If it's their rules then they apply.
A French person can ride a moped at 14 but they can't in the U.K..............................

View attachment 928773

I can also ride a 125 on my french license, But I wouldn't expect to be able to keep it if I went back to the UK.

 

[The Wino]

I don't expect them to alter any laws for me!!! That wasn't my point at all.

But I think in the way you are expecting to be quite likely an itinerant immigrant you are unusual. I really meant I couldn't understand why people who move say to Spain quite often seem to make no real effort to learn the language despite it being as far as they are aware a permanent move.

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