No-Deal Brexit: Green Card to drive in Northern Ireland and the UK

Commons Chaos

While the hilarious House of Commons “reality TV show” has kept us all highly entertained recently, there are, unfortunately, potentially serious consequences for Irish drivers intending to drive their vehicles in Northern Ireland or the UK after the 29th March 2019, if there is no deal.

No-deal Brexit

The Department of Transport and the Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland have been warning drivers that if there is a No-deal Brexit on the 29th March 2019 a Green Card will be required for drivers driving Irish registered vehicles in Northern Ireland or in the UK.

What is a Green Card?

Green Card is an internationally recognised insurance document which provides proof of insurance cover for the vehicle in question to the police in the relevant territory.  It is a hard copy document which is printed on green paper with a green background.  If there is a No-deal Brexit on March the 29th then motorists driving Irish registered vehicles in NI or the UK are advised to ensure they have a Green Card, otherwise they may be treated as uninsured drivers and the penalties are severe, including having your car seized on the spot.

Why necessary now?

At present all Irish vehicles with a valid registration travelling within the EU are covered by the EU Motor Insurance Directive which allows motor vehicles to travel freely between other EU countries.  However, should a “No-deal Brexit” occur, the UK (including NI) will no longer be a party to the Directive and, therefore, the Green Card would be required to prove insurance to the police there.

How do I get a Green Card?

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland acts as the Green Card Bureau here and provides a template to insurance companies who then issue the Green Cards to their policy holders.  So, you need to contact your insurance company or broker.  Some companies propose to issue the Green Card automatically to its customers. 

 Confusion – deal or no deal

Even Mrs May herself doesn’t appear to have a clue as to what will happen on the 29th, as she lurches from defeat to defeat in the House.  In this confusion, the safest option, if driving to the UK or Northern Ireland is to get the Green Card.

Better safe than sorry!