INFORMATION Drivers must check EU requirements


The AA’s business services team has urged fleet managers and rental companies to refresh drivers on requirements for driving in Europe for business purposes. With many legal documents


requiring several weeks to process, fleets are being encouraged to ensure their drivers plan ahead. While Britain may still – for now


– be part of the European Union, there are still plenty of little-known rules which could catch drivers out. For vehicle owners, the V5c form


is essential proof the vehicle is legally registered in your name. For business drivers, however, fleet management and leasing companies will likely provide a VE103 form, which provides authority to travel. Drivers should be reminded it


can take several weeks to process requests for Vehicle on Hire forms, and they should share travel plans as early as possible. The penalties for not providing documents on request include on- the-spot fines and even impounding the vehicle in some European countries. A more recent introduction,


many European cities now operate low emission zones.


Plan ahead, AA warns business drivers For travellers looking to take in


cities like Paris, Lyon, Stuttgart or Milan, appropriate stickers will need to be ordered in advance to display vehicle emissions and eligibility to enter restricted areas. While the German stickers can


be bought in situ, French vignettes must be ordered at least six weeks in advance. Again, on-the-spot fines and driving penalties can be issued for non-compliance.


Although drivers are unlikely to


require an International Driving Permit (IDP) to travel across Europe, fleet and finance companies should direct customers to the Post Office if they intend to take their vehicle further afield. With drivers only able to apply for an IDP in branch, it pays to think ahead. Stuart Thomas, Director of Fleet & SME Services at the AA, said:


“Millions of people are set to take their cars abroad and, while the complications of Brexit may not yet bite, there are still plenty of rules to catch drivers out. “Businesses may feel that they


have shared this information before, but there is no such thing as overkill when ensuring drivers get on with their business rather than dealing with fines or prosecutions.”


business network September 2019


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