Green Cards: Brexit’s Effect on Driving Across the Border

2 min read   February 21st, 2019

If a ‘no deal’ Brexit takes place then any person driving their Republic of Ireland registered car in Northern Ireland will require a green card.

What Is A Green Card?

A Green Card is an internationally recognised insurance document which provides proof of the minimum compulsory motor insurance cover required by the country visited.  It is a hard copy document which is printed on green paper or with a green background.

Driver steering the driving wheel

How Does it Work Right Now?

Currently all Irish motor vehicles with a valid registration travelling within the EU are covered by the terms of the EU Motor Insurance Directive (MID).  This allows motor vehicles to travel freely between the Republic of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain as well as within other EU countries without requiring supplementary insurance documentation.

What if A ‘No Deal’ Brexit Occurs?

Should a ‘no deal’ Brexit occur, the UK, including Northern Ireland, will no longer be party to the MID.  This means that anyone who drives their Irish registered motor vehicle in Northern Ireland or the rest of the UK will require a Green Card to demonstrate to the authorities in Northern Ireland or anywhere else in the UK that they have valid motor insurance cover in place.

The current expected Brexit date is 29th March 2019.  Should that date be delayed then the requirement for Green Cards will also be pushed back.

For more information on greed cards, see our Frequently Asked Questions.

 

Information correct as of date of publishing. This blog will not be updated or edited so the information may become outdated.

Author Melanie May
Melanie May
Journalist @thejournal_ie & @CompleteCar | Social Media & Digital Marketing Manager | Travel Blogger | Food Writer & Judge