A range of licences and permits are required for road users who operate vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 3.5 tonnes when going abroad. Here’s what you need to know
UK tourists travelling to popular European Union destinations could be significantly affected by new driving law changes.
As of last week, drivers will need additional documents when travelling to Europe due to alterations in green card requirements. Those operating vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating above 3.5 tonnes on international trips will need a variety of licences and permits. Road users must possess a vehicle operator licence to transport their own goods, both domestically and internationally.
The Department for Transport, the DVSA and Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain have unveiled new rules for international road haulage permits. These permits are required for transporting goods to or through Norway, replacing the UK Licence for the Community.
Additionally, motorists can now obtain a bilateral road haulage permit for Azerbaijan, marking the first update to these requirements since July of the previous year. Permits are available for nine non-EU countries that the UK has agreements with for the transportation of goods.
These countries include Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine. However, bilateral permits for Belarus or Russia are currently unavailable due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Each country offers single-journey permits, reports Birmingham Live.
Whether you require a permit or not hinges on the size of your vehicle and the type of goods you’re transporting. In some of the nine countries, a permit is necessary if your vehicle is solely used for your own business purposes, and not for hire or reward (often referred to as ‘own account traffic’).
Additionally, there are two specific permits for Morocco that allow entry with an empty vehicle and permit the transportation of filming equipment and materials for film or TV products, or exhibition equipment (including racing). To apply for a permit, you must hold the appropriate vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland for the goods you’re moving.
