Travel insurance will emergency issues, medical fees, prescriptions etc so I'm not too fussed if we don't get the cards through in time - emergency dental treatment, stuff like that is all covered by the policy. I'm not sure what TJ means about the things you would need insurance for...... provided you have had cover agreed for existing problems if you have any and what have you then I would rely on my travel policy over and above the E111 thing. And the travel cover will pick up the repatriation costs if needed which the E111 does not of course, or not usually anyway ........ travel insurance is much wider than the E111 benefits.

And even the E111 doesn't mean everything is free - depending on what country you are in as to how much you are entitled to - they are all different.

Ah well, if I have the card through in time I'll take it and if I don't, then I can't!

Can I just clarify as I seem to have confused people (including myself ) - the driving licence runs until you are 70 - if you have a photocard though, the photo on it expires every 10 years and you have to renew the card with a new photo - and that's the bit that costs £20 - as Jan says, a sneaky tax! If you still have an old paper licence only then you need not do anything unil you come to renew the licence when you are 70.

C xx