Taking your Military Vehicle Abroad
This information is given to the best of our ability using the information available at the time of writing .
Members are advised to check the source information themselves.
Members are advised to check the source information themselves.
|
Many of our members travel with their vehicles to foreign countries to visit landmarks and events.
Many travel to commemorations in Normandy, Holland or Belgium on the anniversaries of significant events, while others visit sites at different times of the year. Ferries and the Euro tunnel offer a wide range of crossing the English Channel or North Sea to get to the continent. You can either take your vehicle under its own steam or use a trailer to tow your vehicle. For owners who live further away from the ports, trailering saves time. |
Some countries place restrictions on longer, heavier or armoured vehicles – certificates might be required to get through customs. Vehicles with any armour plate, guns or holders for guns now require a permit. The MVT work in partnership with an agent who can support members to acquire the correct documentation. We strongly recommend that firearms are not taken abroad. Please contact us for more information.
Fuel availability – particularly for E10 and E5 petrol – can vary – we advise members to use one of the many phone apps available to help locate fuel of the right kind. |
However or wherever you travel, there are rules and regulations that need to be observed. Please read the following advice, remembering to check original sources to ensure that your individual circumstances are taken into consideration,
OGELs (export licenses for historic vehicles visiting overseas)
In the past, there has been a great deal of confusion about whether export licenses are required when taking ex-military vehicles abroad to attend commemorative visits or for leisure purposes. The MVT has received definitive guidance from our contact in the Export Control Joint Unit of the Department for Business & Trade.
The legislation called Open General Export Licence (historic military vehicles and artillery pieces) or OGEL covers historic military vehicles that are being temporarily exported for the purposes of historic-re-enactment, historic commemorative event, private battlefield tour or private recreational purposes.
Condition 4 (Registration) States: The requirements of Article 28 of the Order shall not apply to any export under this licence.
The legislation called Open General Export Licence (historic military vehicles and artillery pieces) or OGEL covers historic military vehicles that are being temporarily exported for the purposes of historic-re-enactment, historic commemorative event, private battlefield tour or private recreational purposes.
Condition 4 (Registration) States: The requirements of Article 28 of the Order shall not apply to any export under this licence.
Members simply need to print off and carry the OGEL document (the 2019 document/top/most recent on the following page)
Open General Export Licence (historic military vehicles and artillery pieces)
or use the pdf link below and have it ready to show customs if they are requested to do so.
Open General Export Licence (historic military vehicles and artillery pieces)
or use the pdf link below and have it ready to show customs if they are requested to do so.
| ogel_-_print_and_take.pdf |
Armoured Vehicles
Please note that for armoured vehicles, there are separate regulations and they will require certification.
Members are advised to read the licence carefully to ensure it meets their requirements. OGELs are licences with set terms and conditions which you must comply with. If you cannot meet all conditions, you will need to apply for a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) via SPIRE.
Please contact us for help with taking armoured vehicles to France.
Members are advised to read the licence carefully to ensure it meets their requirements. OGELs are licences with set terms and conditions which you must comply with. If you cannot meet all conditions, you will need to apply for a Standard Individual Export Licence (SIEL) via SPIRE.
Please contact us for help with taking armoured vehicles to France.
Trailers and Trailered Vehicles
Many members take their vehicles abroad on a trailer - if you are planning to do this, there are extra regulations that apply:
There have been many changes to the regulations and advice about trailering vehicles.
In addition to carrying OGEL exemption paperwork (above) we advise that members err on the cautious side and ensure they
There have been many changes to the regulations and advice about trailering vehicles.
In addition to carrying OGEL exemption paperwork (above) we advise that members err on the cautious side and ensure they
- carry the necessary CERFA Form (see below) if travelling to France
- register trailers that require a separate registration (see below)
CERFA Form 15678
Vehicles on trailers or taken inside another vehicle (as in the case of motorcyles etc) can be regarded as cargo and should be declared at customs.
In June 2024, the customs in Normandy stipulated that if a vehicle is trailered into Normandy from the UK, a CERFA form should be used. Although enforcement of this procedure was not consistently enforced, we strongly recommend that members download and fill in the following forms and attempt to get them processed by Customs on entry to the country.
The additional form required for trailered vehicles is called a CERFA and should be filled in and given to the authorities on arrival at a port. You should exit the port in the red "goods to declare lane" and offer the completed CERFA form to officials. They will take the first part and stamp and return the second for your return journey. Failure to do so could attract a fine and a hefty fee based on thier approximation of the vehicles value - which can amount to almost £1000 for a jeep. If the douanes wave you through and do not process the CERFA, you are advised to note the exact time that you were waved through, for reference on your return if you are challenged - although this is unlikely.
The two page form can be completed on a computer - the first page autofills the second. The translation is provided for guidance only. You should fill in the FRENCH VERSION.
In June 2024, the customs in Normandy stipulated that if a vehicle is trailered into Normandy from the UK, a CERFA form should be used. Although enforcement of this procedure was not consistently enforced, we strongly recommend that members download and fill in the following forms and attempt to get them processed by Customs on entry to the country.
The additional form required for trailered vehicles is called a CERFA and should be filled in and given to the authorities on arrival at a port. You should exit the port in the red "goods to declare lane" and offer the completed CERFA form to officials. They will take the first part and stamp and return the second for your return journey. Failure to do so could attract a fine and a hefty fee based on thier approximation of the vehicles value - which can amount to almost £1000 for a jeep. If the douanes wave you through and do not process the CERFA, you are advised to note the exact time that you were waved through, for reference on your return if you are challenged - although this is unlikely.
The two page form can be completed on a computer - the first page autofills the second. The translation is provided for guidance only. You should fill in the FRENCH VERSION.
|
|
Registering your trailer to take it abroad
If you are taking a trailer abroad and the GROSS WEIGHT (maximum permissible weight) is over 750kg, whether it is commercial or private, you must register it and display 1 or 2 plates, depending where they can be fixed.
This will apply to most trailers our members use to trailer vehicles to go abroad as well as some trailers towed by MVs, so it is important for us to understand what is required and to share it with our members.
Summary:
See the source .gov.uk documents including INF291
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291
This will apply to most trailers our members use to trailer vehicles to go abroad as well as some trailers towed by MVs, so it is important for us to understand what is required and to share it with our members.
Summary:
- To register you need to have a government gateway account and log in. (the same one as you use for HMRC/Companies House etc.
- You have to log in and create a second TRAILER ACCOUNT (name address email)
- Then you can register your trailer to that account, a process which requires you to give the 17-digit chassis number and a declaration that you are the keeper. (non-commercial process)
- It costs £26 to register first time (and £21 to transfer ownership of a trailer) and you have to get plates made up with the number you get allocated, at a registered supplier who need to see the paperwork provided by the trailer registration process AND original documents that prove your name and address. You can use one of the following identity documents: driving licence/utility, Council Tax or rates bill from the last 6 months/bank or building society statement from the last 6 months/national identity card which confirm your name only AND /bank or building society debit or credit card/police warrant card/armed forces identity card
See the source .gov.uk documents including INF291
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291/trailer-registration-numbers-and-number-plates-inf291
Taking Axes, Tools etc
A recent incident involving a jeep from the UK, saw a Douane officer requesting that the owner of the jeep remove his axe from the side of the jeep before boarding the ferry. The reason was purely a question of prevention, as in the past axes have been taken off vehicles and used as weapons. Furthermore, several owners have had axes stolen from jeeps whilst in France. It may therefore be advisable to remove axes before you travel. The same applies to tools on Pioneer racks which are prone to theft and might be confiscated on arrival.
Highway Rules and Regulations
There is a considerable variation in driving and highways rules and regulations between different countries – even between the countries within the EU. Many have strict regulations about what paperwork and equipment must be carried - if you choose to take a trailer remember you may need separate documentation for that. Make sure that you are aware of which ones will apply to you.
|
Good sources of information include:
The RAC Government advice for the EU Country to Country Rules – The AA |
In addition to toll roads, Some European Cities have introduced very strict low emission zones For extra charges on the roads click here – For France |
