UK nationals will now be facing fines of up to £640 if they get caught committing motoring offences when driving in the EU, following an alteration to EU laws.

The new rules, introduced from May 6, will give European countries the power to obtain the driving licence details of British motorists from the DVLA.

The new directive will cover eight offences, including failing to wear a seatbelt and driving whilst using a mobile phone. European authorities will also be able to issue fines of £640 (€750) to UK motorists that they catch breaking speed limits by more than 31mph.

Britain had previously been given a two-year exemption from the rules, with foreign authorities in Europe only able to fine British motorists if they were stopped by the police at the roadside or were in a hire car.

But the UK is now being forced to implement the new rules, thanks to Brexit.

The British public seems to have conflicted opinions regarding the news. Many consider it to be fair, because it makes sense that we should be subject to the laws of the country that we are holidaying in, but there are those who feel that the British are being unfairly targeted.

Police in the UK don't have the power to charge the foreign drivers they catch committing motoring offences.

This is because UK laws state that the liability lies with the driver of the car and not the owner, as is the case in countries such as Austria, Belgium, Spain, France, Holland, and Italy.

Transport bosses will therefore reportedly seek to have the new rules overturned when Britain leaves the European Union in 2019.


RAC Foundation Director, Steve Gooding, also spoke to The Times : "No one is saying Brits should escape prosecution for motoring offences they commit on the continent, but we surely need a system that ensures EU drivers breaking our traffic rules can expect the same?"