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[Gaffers]

The wife just called saying she got pulled over by the Police doing an ANPR operation in Surrey.  They said that she flagged up on their system as having no insurance, they also said that she was not allowed to drive on her European license in the UK for more than a year.

Huh?  Was my initial thought.  I know she was insured but I double checked on askmid, came back as insured.  But I was very puzzled about the license question.  I know we had an issue with her US license which was only valid for one year.  I tried to get her through the UK test but getting rid of her bad habits was impossible.  Thus we swapped her license with a german when we lived out there.  As far as I was aware it was valid for life in the UK and I remember checking with the DVLA and they said it was fine.

So I spoke with the policeman on the phone and he said that it looked like an error on the ANPR and that they were unaware that the laws had changed with regard to licenses.  I did say to him that EU licenses have been valid in the UK since at least 1998, I knew that from living in france around that period.

They let her on her way eventually once it all checked out but scary to think that police officers dont know driving license basics or that in their minds we have already left the EU and a European License comes under the 1 Year rule.

[zirk]

I didn't think they did either within the EU, definitely only I year for other parts.

Chris.

[OOMV6]

If the license is an EU one i.e. it has the EU symbol with the 12 stars, then it is valid in any EU country for the validity stated on the license, if there is one. I have had problems with my old style British license in Luxembourg when pulled over. It has no photo and the cops rightly stated that there was no way of absolutely guaranteeing it was actually mine. He also knew that he could not force me to change it, although recommends it. Also, if you have an EU license, you should be able to swap it for another EU one with same entitlements if you are living in the country permanently. Each country does try to enforce their own rules, as do the police, but the whole point of an EU license was is that it is valid across member states.
So maybe change the German one for a UK one - should be no hassle.

[Sir Tigger KC]

The wife just called saying she got pulled over by the Police doing an ANPR operation in Surrey.  They said that she flagged up on their system as having no insurance, they also said that she was not allowed to drive on her European license in the UK for more than a year.

Huh?  Was my initial thought.  I know she was insured but I double checked on askmid, came back as insured.  But I was very puzzled about the license question.  I know we had an issue with her US license which was only valid for one year.  I tried to get her through the UK test but getting rid of her bad habits was impossible.  Thus we swapped her license with a german when we lived out there.  As far as I was aware it was valid for life in the UK and I remember checking with the DVLA and they said it was fine.

So I spoke with the policeman on the phone and he said that it looked like an error on the ANPR and that they were unaware that the laws had changed with regard to licenses.  I did say to him that EU licenses have been valid in the UK since at least 1998, I knew that from living in france around that period.

They let her on her way eventually once it all checked out but scary to think that police officers dont know driving license basics or that in their minds we have already left the EU and a European License comes under the 1 Year rule.

Maybe they know something we don't!! 

[2woody]

I remember having a two-hour argument with a POLICE about the legality of my car - only to find that he didn't know his phonetic alphabet - he was reporting number plate "JOB" as Yankee-oscar-bravo

[The Red Baron]

I remember having a two-hour argument with a POLICE about the legality of my car - only to find that he didn't know his phonetic alphabet - he was reporting number plate "JOB" as Yankee-oscar-bravo

Doh.

[Kevin Wood]

I remember having a two-hour argument with a POLICE about the legality of my car - only to find that he didn't know his phonetic alphabet - he was reporting number plate "JOB" as Yankee-oscar-bravo

[Varche]

Be thankful that you don't live in a country where the police can and do fine on the spot for whatever offence they dream up. It all bolsters the treasury kitty or their own pockets if you don't think to ask for a receipt.

[OOMV6]

Be thankful that you don't live in a country where the police can and do fine on the spot for whatever offence they dream up. It all bolsters the treasury kitty or their own pockets if you don't think to ask for a receipt.

Here in Germany, as well as neighbouring Luxembourg, France and Belgium we have on the spot fines. Speeding fines are always on the spot, unless you are over double the limit, then it's court. Been done a couple of times and all fair and square - never any trumped up charges. In fact, as you must always carry all documents on you, once these are inspected, I have never known a cop to look around the car. Trucks, they do sometimes. They always issue receipts, and having no cash is no excuse for not paying - they carry a mobile credit card machine in the car.

That said, a friend was done in belgium (on a German registered car) a couple of years ago and heard over the police radio a notification from one cop to another that there was a Porsche heading his way doing 155 kmh (limit 120). Asked what plates it was wearing and when told it was belgian, was told to leave him.
So in this area it's not so much a case of trumped up charges - more a case of cops favouring their own nationals. Difficult in Luxembourg - only 49% of residents are nationals.