Hey guys,

I had a quick search, but couldn't find a thread about this. Apologies if one already exists.

T'other half and I are hoping to drive to the UK, to spend xmas with my family. We have a swiss car.

The car is obviously insured and everything in Switzerland. We both have swiss driving licenses.

Do we need to get any UK car insurance or road tax if we're driving it over there? We want to take it on the ferry, and stay in England for 1 week, 2 at most.

Thanks to anybody who can help

Sam

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You should be covered. check with your insurance company but the norm here is for european coverage. No extra tax of any sort is required, its just a case of ensuring your insurance covers it.

Wonderful We're covered.

Thank you!

if in ANY doubt ALWAYS check directly with your insurance company.

Thank you, yes we definitely will be double checking.

your insurance "should" cover you. i have never seen a swiss policy that does not. I would however ask the insurance company for a green card to make things easier if there are any questions.

Normally Swiss insurers issue a continuous green card. A green card only covers legally required insurance, which is required by law, having one does not extend your rights or insurance in any way. The cover is what you asked for when you took out the policy!

never said it extended anything, based on personal experience the green card makes it easier if plod ask questions

It's a UK thing, as in CH all cars with no plates are insured even if the premium has not been paid, in France insurance has to be fixed to the window. FWIW In the car papers of a CH registered car, the insurance co is duly noted.

Hi Sam

No worries at all. I drive every year twice to London by my own car, swiss plate , swiss driving licence.
I just recommande a TCS Membership for breakdown outside of Switzerland. In any case they will organise help concerning break downs of the car or accident. You just give them a call and they organise the local car help.

I always drive Basel-Calais , which costs around Euro 35 one way for the motorway tax in France called peage. The ferry crossing is easy, just beware at the week-end, be minimum 90 minutes before departure date at the check in in Calais due more passengers/cars on week-ends. On mondays for example are no quies and 40-60min before departure is ok. The ferry trip is nice.

Wishing you a nice trip and if you have further question just ask, I have done this route already 15 times.

Take care
Edith

And never anyone was asking me for an insurance paper or anything, just take all your normal documents of the car with you and the green paper from the insurance. That is it.

Thank you for your advice Edith - great to hear from somebody who has made the trip I feel better about it now. Basel-Calais sounds ideal

Have a cool night everyone, and thanks for all of the information! Much appreciated!

Sam

Also if you are going on P & O there is a restaurant on board called Langans. We go straight in there and leave when we dock - very reasonable and the waiting staff are really friendly - the food is not bad either!!

Cool - thanks for the tip! We'll def. check it out

you may find this thread of interest.


Best Route from Basel to Calais

Lots of people do the drive, in many different times! Just remember if it is raining and you go by France, that the speed limit is reduced to 110, which is slow!