§ Mr. RobathanTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether constabularies in England and Wales have the authority to instigate prosecution against foreign nationals who are driving vehicles registered in another EU country that do not have a current road fund licence. [178948]
§ Caroline FlintForeign registered vehicles which are brought into the UK temporarily by overseas residents are usually exempt from UK licensing and registration.
As regards vehicles registered within the European Union, this exemption stems from Directive 83/182. This provides that a visitor may use a vehicle which is registered and fully tax paid in its home member state for up to six months in 12, without being subject to the domestic registration and taxation requirements of the host state.
To qualify for the exemption, visitors must have their normal residence outside the host state. It falls to vehicle keepers to satisfy the police or other enforcement authority that they are entitled to exemption from UK registration and licensing. Should they fail to do so, the normal prosecution process will follow.