New essential information for UK hauliers driving to the EU after 31 October

    UK hauliers and commercial drivers who operate in the EU will need new documents if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, says the Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency.

    Driver documents you’ll need include International Driving Permit(s) in some countries (France, Italy and Cyprus); a passport. You should have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed. Check your passport .

    Also required will be:

    • an ECMT permit for some journeys (99% of journeys between the UK and the EU will continue as they are now, and will not need a permit, until at least 31 December 2019.) Check if you need an ECMT permit.
    • a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence
    • a tachograph driver card
    • vehicle documents, including motor insurance green card(s) for the vehicle and/or trailer and for separate policies e.g. insurance renewal; a GB Sticker on the vehicle; and a vehicle log book

    Shipping Documents

    In addition to your driver and vehicle documents, you will also need to request separate cargo and customs documents from your shipping agent.

    You will need more documents if you are transporting high risk goods or animal/plant/other controlled products.

    It is the responsibility of the Exporter to provide these documents, but they will be needed to take goods across the border.

    Importing and exporting goods

    EU countries may impose different requirements on their side of the border. Carrying goods that do not comply with EU requirements could result in delays or penalties; you should familiarise yourself with these new processes.

    Operation Brock

    In a no deal Brexit scenario Operation Brock will play a vital role in ensuring that goods continue to flow in and out of the UK and disruption is kept to a minimum.

    Operation Brock is designed to tackle disruption at the border by queuing lorries bound for Europe on the M20, while keeping all other traffic moving on both directions on the other side of the motorway. If the M20 capacity was not sufficient, Manston airport and, if necessary, the M26 could also be used to queue lorries.

    To help prepare for Brexit, before setting off drivers should familiarise themselves with how Brock could impact on their journeys.

    Information on whether Brock has been activated and what it means can be found on Highways England’s website.

    More information on all of the above can be found at https://www.gov.uk/brexit