Shropshire Star

How would a no-deal Brexit on Friday affect transport?

Motorists may be turned away at EU borders if they have not obtained the correct permit.

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An International Driving Permit

UK citizens will experience changes in how they make overseas journeys if the UK withdraws from the EU on Friday.

Here, the Press Association looks at the impact of a no-deal Brexit on the transport sector:

Driving licences:

Mutual recognition of driving licences between the UK and EU may end, meaning UK drivers could need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to drive in all EU and European Economic Area (EEA) countries, apart from Ireland.

UK drivers may be turned away at borders or face enforcement action if they have not obtained the correct permit.

IDPs cost £5.50 each and can only be bought over the counter at around a fifth of Post Office branches.

Passport – stock
(Anthony Devlin/PA)

Passports:

Holidaymakers and business travellers may need to renew their passports earlier to visit countries in the Schengen zone such as France, Spain and Italy.

Currently, UK citizens only need a passport valid for the length of their stay when visiting the EU.

But a no-deal Brexit may mean they need at least six months left on their passport from the date they arrive.

Until recently, UK citizens who renewed their passport before it expired could have up to nine months of the remaining validity added to their new travel document.

The Government has warned that this time carried over will not count towards the six-month requirement, meaning people with up to 15 months left on their passport could be denied entry to many popular destinations on the Continent.

Flights:

The European Commission has said UK airlines will still be able to operate flights between the UK and the EU.

A similar assurance has been given by the UK Government for EU airlines.

Eurostar records
(Gareth Fuller/PA)

Eurostar:

Eurostar says it expects to “maintain services on the existing basis, timetable and terms and conditions” following Brexit.

But dozens of trains were cancelled in March due to industrial action by French customs workers, who demanded more pay and resources ahead of Brexit.

Staff worked to rule by carrying out more stringent checks than normal in an attempt to demonstrate the impact of tighter border controls after the UK withdraws from the EU.

This caused long queues for road vehicles at the Eurotunnel terminal in Calais, northern France.

Ferries:

Ferries and cruises are expected to continue to operate as the majority of the rules under which they operate are based on the EU.

But tougher customs checks could lead to delays on entry and exit.

Brexit
One side of the M20 in Kent closed for Operation Brock (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Roads:

Operation Brock has already been deployed to keep the M20 open in both directions in Kent.

In the event of disruption in Dover, lorries travelling to mainland Europe will be held on the coastbound carriageway while a contraflow system will operate across other lanes.

The previous method for dealing with lorries queuing, known as Operation Stack, meant sections of the motorway were closed and caused chaos for local journeys.

Visas:

The EU has agreed in principle that UK citizens will not need a visa for short visits.

EU Pets 1
(PA)

Pet travel:

Pet owners hoping to travel to the EU with their pets may face months of preparation before their trip.

Owners of cats, dogs and ferrets could have to discuss their plans with their vet at least four months in advance, depending on what category of “third country” the UK becomes.

Currently, EU nationals can freely travel with their cat, dog or ferret if it has a European pet passport.

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