New EU rules introduced on 2 February mean information on some loaded goods journeys in and between European Member States now need to be registered on a new EU web-based portal before drivers set off. Known as a “posting declaration”, operators will now need to register the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle used.

The rules are part of the UK’s deal with the EU (The Trade and Cooperation Agreement).

The new rules will affect you if you’re transporting goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial for “hire and reward” purposes. This means that you load goods at one point and unload them at another point in any of those countries.

This new rule will affect you is you transport goods using:

  • vans of any size or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
  • vans towing trailers
  • cars towing trailers
  • HGVs
  • HGVs towing trailers

Drivers are sometimes called ‘posted workers’ if they’re working on a journey like this.

This includes:

  • cabotage jobs
  • cross-trade jobs
  • moving goods for your own business’ use

Cabotage is loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them at a different place in the same country, using a vehicle registered in the UK.

Cross-trade is loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them in different one of these countries, using a vehicle registered in the UK.

You must also register journeys where you move goods for your own business’ use between these countries. This includes if your business is not mainly about moving goods.

If you’re a Northern Ireland vehicle operator you will need to register journeys within Ireland if they’re covered by the rules.

You will not need to register the journey online if it’s:

  • using a vehicle not carrying goods
  • from the UK to one place in Europe, where you can both unload and load goods
  • from the UK to Europe, and you unload goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot load goods in Europe)
  • from Europe to the UK, and you load goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot unload goods in Europe)
  • from the UK to a non-European country (but you cannot load or unload the goods while you’re in Europe)

Check what you need to do by visiting gov.uk/dft/new-road-haulage-rules 

Or, you can access the EU Portal and FAQs now.

From 21 May 2022, new EU rules will mean operators or users of vans or other light goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight that transport goods from the UK into, or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein for hire or reward will also need to obtain an International Operators’ Licence.

This will include a requirement to appoint a designated transport manager, so commercial LGV drivers need to get ready now. 

You can use the service on GOV.UK to apply to be recognised as a temporary transport manager if by 20 August 2020, you have had 10 years’ or more experience of managing fleets of vehicles.

Check what you need to do by visiting gov.uk/dft/new-road-haulage-rules