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[tmissymist]

My partner and myself plan on visiting France for a weeks holiday in three weeks time. My partners current passport has expired he assures me he can gain entry to France using a british driving licence is this correct?

[hinge1967]

I don't think so......last week I was required to show my passport at Dover.

[Dom Tuk]

A drivers license is not a document that confers or confirms nationality. An afghan off a plane can get a british driving license tomorrow.

[Dom Tuk]

Having said that, an expired british passport in conjunction with a driving license may persuade a french border guard. But they are notoriously unpredictable and best not to take a chance.

[Emily Ball]

He will need a British passport but he'll have to send off his expired one and the requisite fee(I think it is �48) a.s.a.p. in order to get a new one in time for your week away and as this is the busiest time of year for passport issuing there is no guarantee that he will get it in time.

[Grunty]

I've just been to France for a few days.  Mt passport was examined by British & French officials in London, British and French officials in Paris and by the Eurostar staff at both ends.  Don't know about the driving licence - I once got into a national security location with a credit card because the official wasn't looking properly.

[mystress]

Even if he does get into France,just what do you think the chances of him getting back into the UK without a British Passport are?

[Dom Tuk]

The chances of getting back into the UK with an expired british passport are 100 %. At an UK border you do not need a passport to confirm your nationality. That may sound strange but that is the law. You can present your expired passport, drivers license etc and it is for the immigration department to make enquiries if they wish about your suitability to obtain entry to the UK. They have 2 options, let you in or to refuse you entry. They will make enquiries 9if required) and within a matter of minutes they will let you in.

[steveyk]

I got OUT of Britain and INTO France on Eurotunnel without showing my passport. But had to show it to British officials in France to get onto Eurotunnel and back into Britain. Although I was wearing a full face crash helmet at the time!!!!!!

[Gef]

Sorry but this is a stement and not an answer. I have been travelling abroad (always EU) for nearly 30 years and have only needed my passport when leaving and entering the UK. Never had it checked on entering or leaving France, Italy, Germany etc.

[Emily Ball]

Unlike Gef's experience all the passengers on the flight I took  back into the U.K. from Berlin in April had their passports checked no less than 4 times in a very methodical manner and everyone's face was scrutinised to make sure it tallied with their photograph. Great attention was also paid to hand luggage. None of this appeared to be anything out of the ordinary to the officers inspecting and in fact was rather reassuring.  So I think the moral is.. don't risk embarrassment/detainment by trying to get into a country without the required documents. 

[Gef]

Sorry. I should have added that all my travelling was by car and ferry.