Driving Spanish Registered car in SOUTH of Ireland

I think we all live in hope! I appreciate Ireland might not set a precedent but please keep us updated as I’m sure there are a few of us that would like to know if there is some work around to driving a Spanish registered car in our resident country legally.

PGA wrote:a bigger concern to me would be whether your insurance would be valid when you’re breaking the law by driving in that country.

There is NO offence you can commit in any country a policy ostensibly covers you for which summarily invalidates that cover.

The EU directive on motor insurance states that all policies MUST provide cover minimum 3rd party risk cover for their entire duration. Any clauses in a policy which seek to subvert that will be deemed illegal and unenforceable.

What that means in practice is that insurers can only cancel a policy (and therefore whatever cover it bestows) by writing to the policy holder informing them of their intention to cancel and giving the precise time and date at which it will be withdrawn. Whilst not actually specified they must give sufficient notice to allow their insured party to secure alternative cover.

Where there are 'irregularities' and an insurer pays out to 3rd parties then they may subsequently persue you personally for reimbursement off their losses.

Surely the last sentence is the killer. You may be insured but if its illegal and you have an accident you leave yourself open to unlimited personal liability.

So, its probably best to get a definitive answer.

Hi All

Was back onto the customs officer in the NCT centre explained the situation and they said that they would review and get back to me

Received call back and they stated that if I was stopped within 30 days of arriving and could show my return ticket again with a departure date within 30 days of arrival no action would be taken

If I was stopped after 30 days of arrival or my return ticked was more than 30 days after arrival then a fine of 10% of the market value of the car would be applied and I would have to register or remove the car

I also called into the Garda station to se how they would deal with this and their response was the same

So 30 days is the limit

Thanks all for your replies

Brian

That's it then but at least you have 30 days to come and go. I know it's not what you wanted but if there was an emergency for any reason at least you know you can bring back the car and use it for a month. Thanks for letting us know Brian and for your persistence in getting the definitive answer. Now I wonder if after your 30 days you took a little trip across to the UK and came back again wouldn't that give you another 30 days Bee

Hola Bee

I would rather you try to get that one past a member of An Garda Siochana or the Customs man at the side of the road

Many Thanks again to all

Brian

Sage wrote:Surely the last sentence is the killer. You may be insured but if its illegal and you have an accident you leave yourself open to unlimited personal liability.

So, its probably best to get a definitive answer.

I don't know what more you think you need?

You can twist the words around but the fact remains that you ARE insured and what may or may not happen subsequently cannot alter that.

There is nothing legal or illegal to consider either, you are insured therefore not breaking any laws and any subsequent action for recovery by an insurer will be a wholly civil matter between them and you.

I find this subject quite complicated, perhaps it's just me.

So, lets see if I understand what you are saying which is.......
Provided one has valid vehicle insurance in Spain, it's ok to take that vehicle to any other EU member country and continue to have the benefit of third party insurance irrespective of what the policy says.

blimey, still confused and none the wiser. some say yes others say no, but it does look like its a NO. does anyone know who i could contact here in the UK to get a definitive answer, its driving me nuts