What will a Brexit ‘No Deal’ mean for the Road Haulage Sector?

In the event of a ‘No Deal’ Brexit the road haulage sector will need to be aware of how their international operations will look.

With only 5 months to go until the UK leaves the EU, the government has issued some guidelines for UK haulage companies and businesses if there isn’t a deal in place!

Community Licences, ECMT permits and Market Access

After March 2019, UK hauliers may no longer be able to rely on automatic recognition of Community Licences and therefore no longer be able to access EU markets using their Community Licence alone. They will also need the ECMT permits, however these will be limited. The UK will also need to reignite some old bilateral agreements as well as create some new ones!

Driving Licences

UK drivers will continue to be able to drive in EU countries however they may also require an International Driving Permit appropriate to the country they are visiting.

Trailer Registration

EU countries will require UK trailers to be registered when travelling in their country. This will mean each trailer will need to be registered with the DVLA and display their own registration plate. Trailers used solely for domestic purposes or journeys between UK and Ireland will not need to the registered.

Trailer registration will come into force regardless of whether the UK leaves the EU with or without a deal. Watch out for more information to be published.

Certificate of Professional Competence

The UK will maintain a CPC scheme and the UK will recognise EU issued CPC documentation relating to both the transport manager CPC and driver CPC, however automatic recognition by EU countries of UK issued CPC’s will cease.

UK legislation will continue to comply with the ECMT Quality Charter and the AETR which means UK drivers will be able to operate in the EU when driving trucks covered by the ECMT permit, or any existing, reinstated or new arrangement without the need of an additional qualification.

If, however UK drivers were to drive for EU operators any driver holding a UK issued CPC would also need to hold a CPC issued by an EU country.

Advice on what to do

Haulage Permits

If a Haulier requires a permit then they would need to apply to the DVSA for a ECMT permit available from November 2018. As the demand is expected to exceed supply the allocation of permits will be made on criteria as laid out in the Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Act 2018. Successful applicants will receive their permit at the end of 2018. Keep an eye out for important updates on GOV.UK

Trailer Registration Requirements

Hauliers should register trailers they intend to use internationally that also fall within the scope of the regulations. DVLA will put a system in place to register trailers in preparation for when trailers need to display their plates before March 2019. Further details on the process will be made available on GOV.UK

Driver CPC

Little will change in practice regarding how UK drivers can obtain their CPC qualification as there are no immediate plans to change any of the standards that drivers have to meet therefore existing CPC qualifications will continue to be valid.

If the UK CPC is not recognised in the future by the EU UK drivers wishing to work for an EU operator may need to acquire a new CPC qualification issued by the EU country.

Hauliers with a UK CPC who wish to swap to an EU CPC can exchange their CPC before March 2019. They would need to do this to the relevant body in the EU country they wish to issue the CPC.

Borders and Traffic Management

It is likely there will be delays at EU ports if the UK leave without a deal. Hauliers should consider contingency plans which may include looking at alternative routes, alternative modes of transport i.e. containerisation or unaccompanied trailers and making provision for appropriate arrangements to allow for disruption and delays. The UK will look to implement contingency arrangements to manage the flow of traffic across the UK. Keep a look out for updates on GOV.UK.

Latest news

1

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London. The Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, the Rt Hon Christopher Luxon and the Rt Hon Steve Reed (L-R Front Row) David Hammond, and Daniel Knowles

Chiptech announces major innovation initiative at high-profile reception with the New Zealand Prime Minister in London.

30 Apr 2025

2

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield Edenfield housing development

Northstone secures full planning permission for 50 new homes in Edenfield

29 Apr 2025

3

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens Dovestone Gardens launch

Ring Stones Maintenance and Construction celebrates completion of Dovestone Gardens

29 Apr 2025

4

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success Louise Kirby

PHX Training welcomes new business leader to drive learner success

29 Apr 2025

5

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire Lidl

Lidl to invest half a billion pounds in its expansion as it eyes sites in Lancashire

29 Apr 2025

Pc Prestonmacan Gif980x120 March
Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV122 May/June Launch Event
121 Lancashire Business View Magazine Launch
Networking
21 May 2025

LBV122 May/June Launch Event

Lancaster and Morecambe College, Lancaster, LA1 2TY

08:30 - 10:30

Sub36 Networking
Networking
11 Jun 2025

Sub36 Networking

British Jewellery School, Scorton, PR3 1BA

15:00 - 17:00

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference
Net Zero Carbon Social 1200px 2
Networking
18 Jun 2025

Lancashire Net Zero Carbon Conference

Crow Wood Hotel & Spa Resort, Burnley, BB12 0RT

08:30 - 13:00

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers
WENDY BOWERS RISE Illustrstion copy.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
02 Apr 2025 - 08 Oct 2025

RISE - The Academy for Female Leaders and Managers

East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce, Clayton le Moors, BB5 5JR

09:00 - 15:30

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes
Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes for website.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
01 May 2025 - 01 May 2025

Planning for the future + navigating Inheritance Tax changes

Stanley House Hotel, Mellor, Blackburn, BB2 7NP, Blackburn, BB2 7NP

08:00 - 10:30

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2
EV-land-2025-05B.png.png
LBV Hub Seminars
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

Advantage: AI – A Workshop for Business Leaders – May 2

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Manchester Road, Burnley, BB11 1JG

09:00 - 11:00

A night at the races
1.png.png
LBV Hub Dinners / Balls
02 May 2025 - 02 May 2025

A night at the races

Morecambe FC, Morecambe, LA4 4TB

19:00 - 23:59

Celebrating 50 years of KTP
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
07 May 2025 - 07 May 2025

Celebrating 50 years of KTP

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

16:00 - 18:00

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase
13421_research_knowledge_exchange_2025_600x300.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Awards
07 May 2025 - 08 May 2025

Research and Knowledge Exchange Showcase

University of Central Lancashire , Preston, PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more Lbv121 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin