New rules for operating in Europe for LGV drivers

If you’re a fleet manager or a self employed trader who spends a lot of time in Europe, then this is for you! New rules have recently been laid out by the European Union which state that as of the 21st of May, Light Goods Vehicles (LGV) that trade in Europe are now required to carry an International Operators’ Licence.

We know how tough it can be to keep on top of all the changing rules and regulations, especially if your attention is currently focused on searching for the best van deals so you can make additions to your fleet, or purchase a new work van. So, here at Van Discount we’ve put a together the latest information regarding these new changes, in really simple terms, so you can get back to browsing through our fantastic new vans.

Let’s get into it.

What’s the latest for operators of Light Goods Vehicles?

The new rules from Europe state that all operators of vans (or any other kind of Light Goods Vehicle) must now hold an International Operators’ Licence if they’re transporting goods for “hire or reward” from the UK into (or through) the EU. These new rules only apply to vehicles that weigh between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes. Any traders that don’t comply with these new rules will face significant disruption to their business, depending on the country that they’re caught in. The punishment can vary from enforcement action like fines, the impounding of your vehicle or being asked to return to the UK.

That’s the general picture, but if you’re looking for more details, you can view the full requirements at GOV.UK/guidance

What to keep in mind when applying for a licence

There are a couple of conditions you’ll have to meet in order to be deemed eligible for this licence. A few of the more prominent ones include:

• You must show evidence that you either have, or are, a qualified transport manager, however you might be able to get temporarily recognised as one if you show you’ve had enough experience.
•  You will be required to display documents (such as bank statements) in order to prove that you have access to a set amount of finance for running your business.
• If you already hold an International Operator’s Licence for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) you can add extra LGVs to your existing licence.

Additional posting declarations

In addition to the licence, if you plan to transport goods between two points in the EU (like Norway and Liechtenstein for example) for commercial purposes, you’re now required to make a “posting declaration”. This basically means that you’ll need to register the operator, driver, driver employment details, dates of travel, and the vehicle being used, and all before the trip is made.

These new posting declaration rules are pretty much universally applicable to operators of Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), vans, and other LGVs of any size, even cars. However, these rules only apply if you’re moving the goods for hire or reward purposes, or for your own business use.

That’s pretty much everything covered! For the full rundown regarding this new legislation, check out the government website link above. However, if you’re the manager of a commercial business that’s in need of a few additions to your fleet to help you keep up with the demands of trading in Europe, or a private operator that’s in need of a new van for work, you’re in the right place!

Here at Van Discount, we save our buyers an average of 40% off the recommended retail price of a new van – which often equates to thousands of pounds! So, if you’ve got any more specific questions or you need any advice, feel free to ask our experts! We’ve got decades of experience behind us, making us the perfect people to tell you anything you need to know about the best van deals. Feel free to get in touch with us directly by calling 01282 872 530. Our team will be more than happy to answer your questions!