Do new driving laws impact trips to Europe?

DavidBoothby001 · Oct 11, 2022

Jus been reading the news about the introduction of some new driving rules and at the end it stated…..

Transporting goods into Europe

Drivers will need a licence to carry goods or people that are for hire or reward – such as shared-cost group minibus trips – into the EU or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The standard international goods vehicle licence will be required for light good vehicles, vans, and cars/vans towing trailers.

I doubt we class as transporting goods but we do class as a van / Lgv.

Any thoughts?

WelshGas · Oct 11, 2022

DavidBoothby001 said:
Jus been reading the news about the introduction of some new driving rules and at the end it stated…..

Transporting goods into Europe

Drivers will need a licence to carry goods or people that are for hire or reward – such as shared-cost group minibus trips – into the EU or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The standard international goods vehicle licence will be required for light good vehicles, vans, and cars/vans towing trailers.

I doubt we class as transporting goods but we do class as a van / Lgv.

Any thoughts?

Unless you are an International Haulage contractor engaged in business - No.

Beeechke1 · Oct 11, 2022

DavidBoothby001 said:
Jus been reading the news about the introduction of some new driving rules and at the end it stated…..

Transporting goods into Europe

Drivers will need a licence to carry goods or people that are for hire or reward – such as shared-cost group minibus trips – into the EU or Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

The standard international goods vehicle licence will be required for light good vehicles, vans, and cars/vans towing trailers.

I doubt we class as transporting goods but we do class as a van / Lgv.

Any thoughts?

Isn't this about the growing number of LGV (normally curtain siders) being used for commercial haulage across Europe that currently operate without the need for a tachograph. The implication being they are not restricted in their driving hours so have an unfair advantage over other HGV based haulage operators

rod_vw · Oct 11, 2022

Beeechke1 said:
Isn't this about the growing number of LGV (normally curtain siders) being used for commercial haulage across Europe that currently operate without the need for a tachograph. The implication being they are not restricted in their driving our so have an unfair advantage over other HGV based haulage operators

And I believe not restricted to the no HGV travelling rules on a Sunday in some European countries.

andyinluton · Oct 11, 2022

WelshGas said:
Unless you are an International Haulage contractor engaged in business - No.

Its a bit more restrictive than that! but shouldn't apply to anyone driving a cali for camping purposes.

It is anyone carrying goods for hire or reward in anything bigger than a 2.5tnne van. Or using a car towing a trailer for the same purposes.

from GOV.UK
Check if the rules apply to you
The rules apply to you if you use:

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

You do not need a goods vehicle operator licence if any of these apply:

you only use your vehicles in the UK
you are transporting goods not for ‘hire or reward’

WelshGas · Oct 11, 2022

andyinluton said:
Its a bit more restrictive than that! but shouldn't apply to anyone driving a cali for camping purposes.

It is anyone carrying goods for hire or reward in anything bigger than a 2.5tnne van. Or using a car towing a trailer for the same purposes.

from GOV.UK
Check if the rules apply to you
The rules apply to you if you use:

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

You do not need a goods vehicle operator licence if any of these apply:

you only use your vehicles in the UK
you are transporting goods not for ‘hire or reward’

So if you are not in the business of International Transport of goods for hire or reward then it doesn't apply to you. Doesn't matter what size vehicle you have. Other regulations might apply, but not this one.

The Tall Luthier · Oct 11, 2022

Is this The carnet system, where the UK is issues with a finite number of licenses by the eu, 10,000 from memory? If you have one you can transport from this, a third country, into the eu. Once they are gone they are gone.

WelshGas · Oct 11, 2022

The Tall Luthier said:
Is this The carnet system, where the UK is issues with a finite number of licenses by the eu, 10,000 from memory? If you have one you can transport from this, a third country, into the eu. Once they are gone they are gone.

No.
The Carnet system is International and covers the temporary export of goods in excess of the Duty Free Allowance. eg: Samples for a Trade Fair, film equipment for making a film. It avoids paying Customs Duty on goods that will be returned , within a time period, to the originating country.

andyinluton · Oct 11, 2022

WelshGas said:
So if you are not in the business of International Transport of goods for hire or reward then it doesn't apply to you. Doesn't matter what size vehicle you have. Other regulations might apply, but not this one.

My business is not “ international transport of goods” but I do on occasion carry a few building materials in a ford transit for a friend who is renovating a chateau, the main purpose of the trip is to go to meet him and assist in the demolition of a few beers.

However we fall foul of the new rules & need an operators licence.

In future I will probably just use the wife’s car.

WelshGas · Oct 11, 2022

andyinluton said:
My business is not “ international transport of goods” but I do on occasion carry a few building materials in a ford transit for a friend who is renovating a chateau, the main purpose of the trip is to go to meet him and assist in the demolition of a few beers.

However we fall foul of the new rules & need an operators licence.

In future I will probably just use the wife’s car.

The business can be permanent ie: frequent or not. You could buy the materials in country and avoid the International transport of goods in a van or on a trailer.

Paul G - 2022 Ocean · Oct 15, 2022

It’s also not a licence you can just go and buy at a post office like an IDP for example. It’s an Operarors Licence that you have to apply for at the Traffic Commissioners Office, pay a fee, have an “operating centre” that you park your vehicles at, advertise the application, prove you have adequate finance in place to operate the vehicles, be of good repute and employ a Transport Manager with a recognised qualification, usually an International CPC. But some exemptions may apply if the goods carried are tools of your trade.