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New EU rules for UK van operators transporting goods into Europe

The rules have changed if you drive a van into the EU; the article below will explain more so you do not get caught out.

New EU rules for UK van operators transporting goods into Europe.

UK-based van operators who transport goods from the UK into the EU, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, will have to adhere to new EU rules from May of next year. Companies will also have to designate a Transport Manager, who may either be qualified or have had over ten years of experience managing a fleet of commercial vehicles.

The new rules entered into force on May 21st 2022, and have been explained in detail in an update published on the UK Government’s official website.

As the update states, the need to hold a standard international goods vehicle operator licence to transport goods in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland applies to all UK-based firms, including those based in Northern Ireland. Drivers will need to carry a certified copy of the UK Licence for the Community during international journeys.

The new rules will apply to companies that use the following:

  • vans with a maximum authorised mass (MAM) over 2,500kg (2.5 tonnes) and up to and including 3,500kg (3.5 tonnes)
  • vans towing a trailer with a gross train weight (GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
  • cars towing a trailer with a GTW over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes

Those already possessing a goods vehicle operator licence will also have to add all their vehicles to it. The vehicles will not be required to be assigned to a specific operating centre.

At the time of writing, it is not possible to add vehicles to the international goods vehicle operator licence. Therefore, the government has encouraged couriers to sign up for email alerts to be notified as soon as possible.

There’s no fee to add the vehicles to a licence if the vehicle limit has not been exceeded. Nevertheless, those that need a ‘major variation’ shall have to pay £257 to increase the vehicle limit on their licence. Moreover, the government explains that couriers will need to prove they have access to a set amount of finance to run their business (called ‘financial standing’). The amount is dependent on how many vehicles the firm has – couriers must have £1,600 available for the first vehicle, plus an extra £800 per additional vehicle in the fleet.

Finally, there is also a requirement for a transport manager to be assigned as the person legally responsible for all the vehicles on the operator’s licence.

There was the posibility of applying for grandfather rights prior to May 2024, but that has now expired. Since May 2024, a fully qualified Transport manager with the international entitlement (automatically issued if qualification awarded since 2012) is required. Any applicants that have previously been granted grandfather rights will have to be qualified by May 2025, or find a qualified Transport Manager instead.

Reacting to the news, Rod McKenzie of the RHA told the Guardian: “This is just more bureaucracy. It’s been flagged for some time but could be a problem for the one-man bands or small operators who are simply too busy running their business day to day to have noticed this.”

Edited and Updated from the original source: trans.info

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