New EU Rules for International Vehicle Operators Transporting Goods for Hire or Reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland

Last Updated: 15th April 2024

From 21 May 2022, you’ll need a standard international goods vehicle operator licence to transport goods for hire or reward in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

This will apply to you if you’re based in England, Scotland or Wales and 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 need to either:

· Apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for the first time

· Add the vehicles to your standard international goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)

· Apply to upgrade your standard national goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence

· Apply to upgrade your restricted goods vehicle operator licence (if you have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence

· You can be fined by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if you operate without the right licence. You can also be prosecuted in the European countries you drive through.

You will 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’

We recommend that you get legal advice if you’re not sure if the rules will apply to you.

If you do not have a goods vehicle operator licence, you will need to:

1. Get a transport manager. There are 3 ways you can do this:

- Apply to get an existing member of staff (including yourself) temporarily recognised as a transport manager

- Employ someone with a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification

- Hire in an external qualified transport manager

2. Apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence. You’ll need to have set amounts of finance available to do this.

Documents your drivers will need to carry:

Your drivers will need to carry a certified copy of your UK Licence for the Community during international journeys.

If you’re applying for a vehicle operator licence for the first time, you’ll get a UK Licence for the Community as part of your application for a standard international operator licence. There’s no extra fee.

For full details of the requirements and how to apply, please visit www.gov.uk/guidance/transport-goods-in-and-out-of-the-uk-using-vans-or-car-and-trailers-from-21-may-2022