New legislation for Light Goods Vehicles travelling to the EU
From the 21 May 2022, it is the government’s intention to include commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes within the international operator licence regulations transporting goods into and out of the UK. This does not include domestic movements or if you are transporting goods on a not-for-hire or reward basis.
This will apply to operators based in Great Britain and Northern Ireland operating the following vehicles and combinations.
The new rules will 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 Gross Train Weight (GTW) over 2.5 tonnes and up to and including 3.5 tonnes
If you already have a Standard International operator licence, you’ll need to add your vans and car and trailers to your existing goods vehicle operator licence to transport goods in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. You will not need to assign them to an operating centre.
Operators will have to ensure they have enough margin for the additional vehicles; however, you will need to apply for a Major Change if you need to increase the vehicle limit on your licence.
As with any operator licence there are the financial standing requirements, £8000 for the first HGV vehicle on your fleet, £4500 per additional HGV in your fleet. The financial standing relating to the vans will be requested at £800 per additional van or car & trailer in your fleet.
Van operators without an Operators Licence will have to apply for a Standard International Operator licence, following the well-established application route. The financial standing requirements for a van fleet are considerably lower than the HGVs, £1600.00 for the first van and £800.00 for the remaining vans on the licence.
The Traffic Commissioners have been as flexible as they possibly can regarding the recruitment of a transport manager. The Traffic Commissioners are allowing the following options to support van operators in reacting to the changes in the rules.
- Use an existing member of staff (including yourself) who is not qualified as a transport manager, but has managed fleets of vehicles for at least 10 years before 20 August 2020
- Employ someone with a Transport Manager with an international Certificate Of Competence
- Hire an external qualified transport manager, being mindful of the restrictions being placed on External CPC Holders of up to 50 vehicles or up to 4 operators.
Again, recapping on the well-needed flexibility from the Traffic Commissioners, the applicants need to apply to have their experience recognised so they can become a temporary transport manager in effect a form of Acquired Rights. The deadline for applying for this option has been set to 21st May 2024. This means they’ll be treated as having the Transport Manager CPC up to the deadline of 21st May 2025. The Office of The Traffic Commissioner is aiming to deal with all applications within 4 weeks but it could take longer owing to the potential volume of applications. To carry on past this date the Transport Manager CPC will need to be passed and certificates uploaded on the Operator Licence Portal.
The portal will request the following information:
What type of vehicles do you intend to manage?
Select all that apply:
- Vans or other light goods vehicles (up to and including 3,500kg)
- Vans towing trailers (up to and including 3,500kg)
- Cars towing trailers (up to and including 3,500kg)
- Heavy goods vehicles (over 3,500kg)
- Goods vehicles and trailers (over 3,500kg)
Have you been responsible for any of these tasks in any job since August 2010?
Select all that apply.
- Drivers (including me) having a valid driving licence
- Vehicles being taxed, having a valid MOT, and being insured at all times
- Vehicles being properly maintained and fit and serviceable at all times
- Vehicles being loaded safely and not overloaded
- Work being arranged so that drivers (including me) did not break the drivers’ hours rules or have to speed
- Work is priced so that it could be done both legally and profitably
or
- No, I have not been responsible for any of these tasks
If no is selected at this point the application will be rejected, if the applicant can select most of the responsibilities, they will then be invited to complete the application by adding their personal information and including any relevant work experience.
There is currently little or no information as to whether the vans will need digital tachographs but we will continue to keep a close eye on all industrial updates as they are released.
For more information visit the DVSA website.
