New EU rules come into force from 21 May 2022 which will mean an International Operators’ Licence is required for any operators or users of vans and other light goods vehicles over 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes in weight that carry goods for hire and reward from the UK into, or through the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
The rules will apply to operators based in England, Scotland or Wales and use:
- vans or other light goods vehicles (occasionally called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
- vans towing trailers
- cars towing trailers
Operators subject to new rules must either:
- apply for a standard international goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
- add the vehicles to their standard international goods vehicle operator licence (if they already have one)
- apply to upgrade their standard national goods vehicle operator licence (if they have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence
- apply to upgrade their restricted goods vehicle operator licence (if they have one) to a standard international goods vehicle operator licence
Click here to view the government guidance about what transport companies and couriers need to do to use vans and car and trailers over 2.5 tonnes to transport goods in Europe from 21 May 2022.