A large number of British drivers may be slapped with huge fines after the UK cracked a landmark deal with the European Union following Brexit. On Monday, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the terms of a groundbreaking “reset” of relations between the UK and the bloc.
The Prime Minister welcomed EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa to London, where they discussed a deal addressing key aspects of the original Brexit agreement, including trade, fishing, defence, and energy security. However, one of the lesser-known provisions in the UK-EU reset document could pose challenges for motorists who have committed traffic offences while traveling abroad, reports GB News.
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, there has been no formal system allowing foreign governments to impose fines on British drivers.
Local authorities across Europe may struggle to issue penalties to UK motorists, as they likely lack access to the DVLA’s database of names and addresses.
Under the “Internal security and judicial cooperation” section of the agreement, section 53 outlines plans to reinforce mutual exchanges of data between the EU and the UK.
It stated that reciprocal changes could be introduced for fingerprints, DNA, and criminal records of third-country nationals.
It also stated: “Acknowledge the requirement in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to set up automated searching of vehicle registration data.”
This means drivers can be issued with a fine while travelling in Europe if they are stopped by police in EU member states, even after Brexit.
It also stated: “Acknowledge the requirement in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement to set up automated searching of vehicle registration data.”
Drivers can still be slapped with fines when travelling in Europe if they are stopped by police in EU member states, even after Brexit.
Since January 2021, UK motorists can no longer be issued postal fines for minor offences committed in the EU.
The UK Government’s Road Traffic Offences and Licensing FAQs note that before Brexit, EU countries could request access to the DVLA’s database for enforcement purposes.