--- M R <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Is there any thing like European Driving License > like Euro visa.
'Europe' and 'Euro...' are ambiguous terms, as you probably know. The visa that you are referring to is the 'Schengen visa' and applies to a bizarre mix of countries that signed the Schengen treaty. Some countries are inside the European Union and some outside (e.g. Iceland). It is not valid in the UK because the UK did not sign Schengen. Schengen is a town, European treaties are often named after towns. http://www.eurovisa.info/SchengenVisa.htm As far as the driving licence is concerned: 1. Yes. there is a single licence for the European Union. It is valid in all EU countries. See: http://www.dvla.gov.uk/drivers/yrfulldl.htm 2. There is a technicality that I don't understand - it is called a 'European Community' licence rather than a 'European Union' licence. Does anybody know why? 2. The word 'Driving licence' appears on the front in at least 12 languages. All critical information is standardised in format and language-independent. It is a piece of paper, A4 in size. All critical information is on one side (and therefore only one page is needed for photocopying). All these features assist law enforcement in any country. Guidance notes are in local languages since they are merely for the owner. 3. If you look you will see the use of icons and letters. A standard car is category 'B'. This also helps make things language independent. The greater use of icons appears to be a European cultural thing. America often uses words where Europe has icons. This is apparent in road signs. In addition, modern fire exits in Europe have no words, just icons. 4. There is no photo on the licence. Although a separate photocard version is gradually being introduced. The driving licence is simply a piece of administrative paper. 5. The US tradition of using driving licence as ID does not apply in Europe. Most countries have a separate ID card. The UK is an exception and has no ID at all (I think that there is another exception - Sweden?). Much of the ID requirement in the US is for alcohol control. Since Europe is more liberal with alcohol, there is a whole function of law enforcement reduced to almost zero. 6. If a British police officer wants to see a licence, then he/she gives a notice to the driver. The driver has 5 days to produce it at a police station of driver's choice. 7. The British spelling of license is 'licence'. Terry. __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email! http://mail.yahoo.com/
