The Guardian has reported that the UK lacked preparation for Brexit, which has meant that ports at Dover and all over the country were delayed at least 3 times in 2021.
A ‘goods vehicle operator licence’ will be required by anyone driving a van, a light commercial vehicle or any car towing a trailer to enter the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, or Switzerland as of 21 May 2022. The licence will set van drivers back up to £1,100, which according to industry leaders, is a significant burden for independent operators.
£257 will have to be paid by drivers as an application fee and then a further £401 will be required for the licence. A ‘continuation fee’ of £401 will be required every 5 years in order to retain the licence, according to gov.uk.
The Road Haulage Association (RHA) has said that the rules are likely to hit small traders such as couriers or importers of wine or vintage and antique goods.
The managing director of policy and public affairs at the Road Haulage Association, Rod McKenzie, told the newspaper “This is just more bureaucracy. It’s been flagged for some time but could be a problem for the one-man bands or small operators who are simply too busy running their business day to day to have noticed this.”
Drivers will also need to assign a staff member to themselves as a ‘transport manager’. Or they can assign themselves. This will act as a named individual that will ensure the driver follows industry regulations and tax payments in the EU after Brexit.
This person will have to show that they have managed fleets of vehicles for at least 10 years, or they will need to complete a course in order to qualify for a transport manager qualification.
Several other rules in the UK will also hit hauliers from 1 January, when EU exporters need to register for a goods vehicle movement service (GVMS). This is because full customs will apply to all goods moving both in and out of the EU and the UK.
Hauliers that do not have correct paperwork will not be allowed to board a ferry or shuttle.
These new rules and checks were delayed from coming into force 3 times in 2021 but will go ahead in 2022. The rules will be delayed still for importers from Ireland.
Rod McKenzie of the Road Haulage Association has also said “Brexit was challenging initially for hauliers with loads delayed and lots of frustration but as ever with logistics, people have found their way. The big challenge for 2022 is how ready our EU counterparts will be for entry into GB.”
If you have any questions on the rules following Brexit, please get in touch.