Leekeater
9 May 2008
UK, Ireland / UK Car Insurance [13]
Not having a UK licence pushes up the premium, I got around that by registering my GF through my insurance (I'm a UK citizen), I told them that she had a PL license, but the policy came through as if she had a UK one- bit dodgy, but it'll do this year. The cost to change to a UK license is around £80, and as stated it means you can get booked with points. As said you don't have to get an UK license but if you don't you get hammered on the insurance.
It's a stupid situation as the combination of the insurance quote and the perception that having a PL license aviods punishment will lead may Poles to drive illegal. In truth the legal system can still punish you with fines, and even imprisonment, they could also take your PL license away from you (but would you care if you are already illegal). The system encourages illigality.
For shoort term Polish workers (less than 90 days) it makes no sense to get involved in the UK system, just make sure your car is legal for Poland, for longer term workers it is an issue. If I remember correctly your car (R/H drive) can be destroyed after 2 years if it has not been through an expensive DVLA test by that time.
Not having a UK licence pushes up the premium, I got around that by registering my GF through my insurance (I'm a UK citizen), I told them that she had a PL license, but the policy came through as if she had a UK one- bit dodgy, but it'll do this year. The cost to change to a UK license is around £80, and as stated it means you can get booked with points. As said you don't have to get an UK license but if you don't you get hammered on the insurance.
It's a stupid situation as the combination of the insurance quote and the perception that having a PL license aviods punishment will lead may Poles to drive illegal. In truth the legal system can still punish you with fines, and even imprisonment, they could also take your PL license away from you (but would you care if you are already illegal). The system encourages illigality.
For shoort term Polish workers (less than 90 days) it makes no sense to get involved in the UK system, just make sure your car is legal for Poland, for longer term workers it is an issue. If I remember correctly your car (R/H drive) can be destroyed after 2 years if it has not been through an expensive DVLA test by that time.