UK government introduces Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill
The UK government has introduced legislation on cross-border haulage as part of its preparations for the UK’s exit from the European Union.
In an official statement published yesterday (7 February), the Department for Transport (DfT) said: “The UK’s overall aim in the negotiations with the EU is to maintain and develop the existing liberalised access for commercial haulage, as part of the wider future partnership.
“It is possible that the future deal with the EU could require a form of permitting system and the government will need to have legal frameworks in place to introduce a new administrative system if required.
“The Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill, which was introduced by Baroness Sugg in the House of Lords, gives the government this flexibility.”
Key elements of the bill include:
- arrangements to enable a permit scheme if required as part of a deal with the EU. The DfT said this will ensure UK hauliers can obtain the necessary paperwork to provide services to and from EU countries
- the establishment of a trailer registration scheme in line with the 1968 Vienna Convention. This will mean that UK operators driving on the continent can comply with the requirements of those EU countries which require the registration of all trailers travelling on their roads
Chris Grayling, the UK’s Transport Secretary, commented: “Our road haulage industry is right at the heart of the £110 billion of trade that takes place between the UK and EU every year.
“We believe reaching an agreement to continue the liberal access enjoyed by both sides is in everyone’s interests and remain confident we will do so.
“But I also understand that hauliers are planning for the years ahead and want to have certainty that any future deal can be implemented smoothly – so this Bill ensures we have plans in place if the deal requires a permitting system.”
As previously reported by Post&Parcel, the UK’s Freight Transport Association (FTA) announced its support for the government’s initiative, and the FTA’s Deputy Chief Executive James Hookham described the bill as a “sensible contingency measure”.
