International Driving Permit

The Grandfather

At the risk of using the B----t word I or rather my son has a problem. He lives and works in Italy. He has been notified by his insurance company that he will need an International Driving Permit if a no deal Brexit happens at the end of the month. (Unlikely I think but you never know)
These permits can be obtained in this country by going to the Post Office and getting one. (you need your UK licence, a passport photo, the form and money. Easy peazy.
What I am unable to find out is what happens if you live in Italy or Spain or any other EU country. Surely every one can't be expected to return home to visit a Post Office.
I realise that most ex pats will, in all probability have transferred their licence to that of their new country of residence. However people like my son who move around the EU will require one of these permits.

Does anyone know exactly how to get one whilst living in the EU?  Perusal of the DVLA and other  websites has drawn a blank. Hopefully someone out there has already crossed this bridge so help and or advice please.

Thanks in advance.

Nick

noiseboy72

I don't know the answer, but perhaps he should get an Italian licence before Brexit, so that he can freely drive in any European country? I am assuming this should be "relatively" straight forward - although we are talking about Italian bureaucracy here!!

The Grandfather

Not really. He will be off from Italy by the end of June/early July. Even if he comes home on flying visit to say cheerio it would possibly be too late. He will be leaving the EU for another country and would be best served by his UK licence and the blessed IDP.

mjn

Why don’t you get him one from the Post Office and post it to him?

zeppelino

Why would he be ‘best served by his uk license’?

The Grandfather

Because my local post office informed me that they cross check the photo with the applicant. He needs his present uk photo licence plus the passport photo for the IDP.
If it was that easy it would already have been done.

The Grandfather

Unlikely to valid.
Read all the government advice

mjn

So you hand the form back to the post office? Complete with photo and uk driver’s licence?

zeppelino

What do you mean by first bit??

I’ve read it all and he can swap licenses. You’re implying that a UK license is superior.

The Grandfather

Were he staying in Italy then yes that would be the ideal course of action and would already have been done.
No. Having an Italian licence for Italy and UK licence for the UK is surely the best course of action for a problem free life.

If I thought that for one minute that I could rock up to my local Post Office with his UK licence, passport size photo, the completed and signed form plus the fee then it would have been done already.  However the local Post Master personnally explained to me that it is not possible for this to be done by a third party. I accept his word as he is the Post Master and should surely know the regulations.

What I asked was did anyone have any personnel experience of this situation and if so what did they do and therefore is it what my son and I should do.