IT’S approaching that time of year when company cars, business cars and private cars get ready to head for the channel by ferry or tunnel. European holidays in France, Spain, Italy and the like beckon.
But it’s worth doing a bit of advanced planning. You can see what I mean in the advice feature Take your bikini…and the VE103.
While researching the article I spoke to Jay Parmar at the BVRLA. Jay is their legal eagle.
Jay told me one story about a businessman travelling to southern Europe last month. A branch of a national rental company had issued him with a photocopy of the VE103 held at its company headquarters. Not the real thing.
At the Slovenian/Croatian border the businessman presented his VE103 photocopy. And was promptly turned away. The authorities are only interested in an original certificate – proof that the driver is legally entitled to use the vehicle.
After spending some time making international telephone calls to both the BVRLA and the rental branch for assistance, he had to alter his route to reach his final destination incurring serious inconvenience.
Jay’s cautionary tale is a valuable lesson. Among all your holiday planning, if you are taking your company car or business car abroad, make sure it has the correct documentation. It’s worth doing it now while there’s still plenty of time.
Don’t drive abroad without a VE103