A power of attorney allows an agent to act on behalf of a principal. When a principal signs and grants a power of attorney, he grants either general or limited authority to the agent. The limited (also known as "specific") power of attorney restricts the scope to the agent's activities. In order for us to act as your agent, you must give us limited power of attorney to be able to register you as a resident of any country that we obtain a driving licence from. Most EU countries specify that you are considered a resident from the moment you declare you will be in that country for at least 185 days, this date CAN be backdated, and we can cancel the residence application as soon as the driving licence has been issued.
A limited power of attorney specifies the authority the agent (i.e US) will have. The principal (i.e. YOU) list all the matters for which the agent will make decisions, sign documents or give instructions. Often, a limited power of attorney covers only a single process or matter; for example, a residence application and driving licence application which the principal is unable to carry out due to absence or illness.
The principal may also limit a power of attorney to a single field of activity, such as the handling of what we agree to do for you. A principal who trusts an agent to make decisions and sign paperwork only covering these activities.
A principal may also limit a power of attorney to a specific period of time. This often occurs when a principal is temporarily absent from his home or business and trusts an aide or friend to carry out business decisions and sign paperwork on his behalf.
The principal must sign, date and have witnessed the limited power of attorney, which must set out in detail the scope of the agent's authority. This includes specific information on the activity by which the agent may operate. Most limited powers of attorney also contain a revocation clause, which the principal may sign and date at any time in order to void the document and bring the agent's authorities to an end.