Brexit: If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, UK hauliers and commercial drivers who operate in the EU will need, correct documentation to travel to, from and through the EU.
Here
is some more specific information about these new documents for drivers,
vehicles, customs and cargo that will be required.
Driver Documents
International Driving Permits (IDP) in Selected Countries
In 24 out of the 27 EU countries, you will still be able to use UK photocard driving licences after Brexit. However, in France, Italy and Cyprus, you will also need to show an International Driving Permit.
- In France and Italy, you will need a 1968 IDP
- In Cyprus, you will need a 1949 IDP
Additional
IDP’s may be required if a driver doesn’t have a photocard licence. All IDP’s
should be checked that they are still valid where they need to drive as some
may need to be replaced and each type of IDP is only valid for a certain amount
of time.
IDP’s
are available to purchase over the counter at UK Post Offices.
Passport
To
travel to most countries in Europe, drivers should have at least 6 months left
on their passport. Extra months may be added to expiry dates if the current
passport was renewed before the previous one expired.
If
drivers have a passport for over 10 years, any extra months may not count
towards the 6 months needed. For short trips to the EU, drivers will not need a
visa as they can stay for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
ECMT Permit
Most journeys between the UK and the EU will continue as normal after Brexit and an ECMT permit won’t be required until at least 31 May 2020. However, some journeys made during the transition period will.
Hauliers
will need an ECMT permit if they:
- Make 3 cross-trade journeys: hauling goods from one EU country to
another during one single trip - Need to transit the EU to no-EU countries
ECMT
permits need to be accompanied by an EMCT logbook (issued with the permit), ECMT
certificate of compliance and an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness, both
regarding vehicles and trailers.
Tachograph Driver Card
It
is required that drivers of goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on international
journeys comply with EU rules on drivers’ hours and tachograph use.
They
must be able to produce tachograph charts and any legally required manual
records for the current day and the previous 28 calendar days, as well as the
digital smart card if they have one.
Community Licence and Licence for the Community
Drivers
holding a Community Licence will be able to carry on using this after a no-deal
Brexit for the transitional period until 31 July 2020. If drivers apply for or
renew their Community Licence after a no-deal Brexit, they will receive a UK
Licence for the Community.
It
is required that a copy of the Community Licence or Licence for the Community
has to be carried on board all vehicles when working in the EU. These new
documents will not be valid for journeys through the EU to countries outside
the EU and EEA, they will require ECMT permits instead.
UK
drivers who carry their own goods, operating on their own account, or have
vehicles under 3.5 tonnes, including vans, do not need to hold a Community
Licence or Licence for the Community.
Vehicle Documents
- A GB sticker fixed to the rear of the vehicle and trailer
- A vehicle Logbook (V5C) or a vehicle on hire certificate (VE103)
to use a hired or leased vehicle
- Motor Insurance Green Cards
A
Green Card is an international certificate of motor insurance accepted in 48
countries, part of the Green Card scheme.
You
may require multiple Green Cards if you:
- Have a trailer attached to your vehicle; one Green Card for the
vehicle and one for the trailer, you may even have to have separate trailer
insurance too - Are a commercial operator and have fleet insurance; Green Cards
will be required for each vehicle - Have 2 insurance policies covering the duration of the journey,
like if you renew your policy during the trip
Drivers
will need to carry Green Cards for their vehicle and trailer when driving in
the EU, unless otherwise advised.
- A trailer registration plate displayed, and vehicle registered
with DVLA
Commercial
trailers weighing over 0.75 tonnes and non-commercial trailers weighing over
3.5 tonnes need to be registered with the DVLA before travelling abroad. They
do not need to be registered when travelling between the UK and Ireland.
The
keeper of the trailer needs to ensure that the trailer displays registration
plates and that the driver carries DVLA trailer registration papers. A keeper’s
certificate is required for an abnormal load trailer taken outside the UK and
this should always be kept when they go abroad.
Customs and Cargo Documents
Your
exporter is responsible for providing documents for the cargo you are carrying,
and they will be needed to take goods across the border. You will need
additional documents if you are transporting high risk goods, animals, plants
or other controlled products.
Some
EU countries may impose different requirements on their side of the border and
by not complying with these, it could result in delays or penalties. Make sure
you check local custom processes for France, Holland, Spain and Belgium.
For more information about Moving Goods from the UK into the EU, click here, and vice versa, click here. If you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
