Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
In this guide:
- Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels
- Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
- Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
- End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
- Advantages of electric vehicles for business
- Charging your business electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles incentives for business
- Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
- Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
- How to produce your own biofuel
- Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
How reducing vehicle emissions can benefit your business by reducing costs and improving your environmental performance.
Limiting your vehicle emissions can help you to reduce your environmental impact and benefit your business.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are a significant source of air pollutants including:
- CO2
- carbon monoxide
- fine dust particles
- nitrogen oxides
- unburnt hydrocarbons
You should try to limit the emissions that your business vehicles produce as they may:
- lead to ill health, such as respiratory problems, among your staff and the public
- cause a nuisance to your neighbours
- contribute to roadside levels of pollution in urban centres
- contribute to climate change
You can also reduce your transport costs, such as fuel bills and vehicle tax, by choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and using them more efficiently.
Financial savings
By using vehicles more efficiently you can make significant financial savings through:
- reduced fuel costs
- less wear and tear and maintenance costs
- using your employees' time more efficiently
- finding new uses for land previously used for parking
Improved business image
Reducing your environmental impact can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing, and customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly prefer to deal with businesses that have good environmental credentials. Having environmental policies and procedures in place is likely to be viewed positively and can also help you win contracts when you tender for business.
Employee benefits
Educating your employees about the environmental impacts of transport and encouraging them to walk, cycle or use public transport for commuting and business travel can benefit their health and finances. It may also contribute to reduced sickness absence, increased staff retention and improved local air quality.
A cost-effective way for you to put these policies in place is to draw up a workplace travel plan.
Training your employees to drive safely and efficiently and to maintain vehicles can help reduce vehicle emissions and the number of work-related road incidents. Employees also benefit from a cleaner and safer environment and save money if they drive work vehicles more efficiently.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-reducing-your-vehicle-emissions
Links
Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
Help to help tackle environmental issues and save money for your business by changing your distribution methods.
Rethinking your logistics - the planning and implementation of moving goods and supplying services - can help you reduce your environmental impact.
If your business transports either your own or another organisation's freight, improving your systems may benefit your business and reduce your impact on the environment.
Sustainable logistics
If your business is making and receiving deliveries to and from a warehouse, it might make sense to have one central distribution centre. This could be cost-effective and has less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system.
To reduce your carbon footprint further you should also consider the journeys that suppliers of goods and services make to and from your premises. You could aim to use local businesses where possible and check out your suppliers' environmental credentials by asking to see their environmental reports and policies - see supply chain efficiency and environmental impact.
Reducing fuel use
Fuel can account for at least 30 per cent of operating costs of most road freight transport operations, so you should start by improving fuel management. The most basic way to reduce fuel bills and lowers accident rates is by driving more efficiently. More efficient driving can produce around 15 per cent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, and increase electric vehicles range by 20 per cent.
You can find information and resources to help your business lower its costs, while reducing the carbon emissions from your organisation’s vehicles and employee travel with the Energy Saving Trust.
By sourcing blends of renewable fuel you can reduce the carbon intensity of your fleet. Operators can get independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and customer supply chain specific greenhouse gas emission performance data through the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/reduce-environmental-impact-transport-logistics
Links
End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
Pathway for decarbonisation of cars, vans and HGVs in the UK with key dates for ending petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The mass adoption of zero emission vehicles can help deliver carbon reductions, improve air quality and grow the green economy.
The United Kingdom government has committed to a pathway for the decarbonisation of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to help businesses to plan for the transition over several years.
Cars and vans decarbonisation dates
The UK government has set out a path for all new cars and vans sold to be zero emission by 2035.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission cars and vans.
HGVs decarbonisation dates
A two phase approach to decarbonising HGVs is being adopted by the UK government:
- The phase-out of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035.
- All new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission HGVs.
Buses, coaches and minibuses decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in spring 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
L-category vehicles decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in summer 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles – for example, mopeds, motorcycles, powered tricycles and quadricycles.
DfT is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/end-dates-non-zero-emission-vehicle-sales
Links
Advantages of electric vehicles for business
What electric cars and vans can offer to businesses by reducing costs and boosting your environmental reputation
Electric vehicles offer a great reduction in transport costs for businesses, especially for fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day. Although electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy, they have significantly lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
It can cost as little as 2 pence a mile to run an electric vehicle when charging on off-peak electricity. This is compared to over 20 pence per mile for petrol and diesel, representing a huge saving on fuel costs.
There are a series of financial incentives for businesses, including tax and duty exemptions for you and your employees and capital allowances.
Moving to use electric vehicles gives businesses the chance to become involved in innovative transport developments which are addressing environmental issues. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. It is estimated that an electric car powered by today's grid could emit between 15 per cent and 40 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime than a similar-sized petrol car.
Setting environmental concerns at the heart of your business can be a key part of demonstrating your corporate social responsibility.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-electric-vehicles-business
Links
Charging your business electric vehicles
Public and private charging networks and the process and incentives for installing charge points at your business.
Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles for longer journeys. This makes electric vehicles a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables electric vehicle users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an electric vehicle. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.
Private charge points
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points.
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
Find out more about private charge point support.
Public rapid charge points
Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.
Public fast charge points
Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.
You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/charging-your-business-electric-vehicles
Links
Electric vehicles incentives for business
Financial and other incentives for businesses when investing in different types of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, however purchase costs for many electric cars and vans are still more expensive than some equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. While the ongoing running costs are highly attractive to businesses, the initial investment costs of electric vehicles can be significant. Your business may be eligible for grants and other support to make electric vehicles an easier choice.
Grant for electric cars
The plug-in car grant scheme closed to new orders on 14 June 2022.
The scheme supported the creation of a mature market in the United Kingdom, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone. Due to this, the UK government is now refocusing funding towards the main barriers to the electric vehicle transition, including public charging and supporting the purchase of other road vehicles where the switch to electric requires further development.
Grant for electric vans
Grants are available of up to £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.
Find out more about the types of van eligible for a plug-in grant.
It’s not only vans which can attract a plug-in grant - the eligible categories are:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles
- mopeds
- small vans
- large vans
- taxis
- trucks
Not all low-emission vehicles will get a grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant. Find out more about the grants, specific vehicle types and eligibility information.
Tax incentives for electric vehicles
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from:
- fuel duty
- vehicle excise duty
- company car tax
- van benefit charge
- fuel benefit charge
Tax incentives for electric vehicles can save drivers over £2,000 a year.
You can claim capital allowances for a business electric car or van - see capital allowances.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/electric-vehicles-incentives-business
Links
Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell technology benefits to your business in reduced fuel costs and lower transport emissions.
The United Kingdom government has identified the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport.
Greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 10 per cent (compared with a diesel HGV) and around 43 per cent (compared with a petrol car) are possible with hydrogen-powered transport.
Hydrogen is likely to be most effective in transport in areas ‘that batteries cannot reach’, where energy density requirements or duty cycles, weight and volume restrictions and refuelling times make it the most suitable green energy source.
Benefits of hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions. FCEVs use electric motors to drive the wheels, but store energy on-board as compressed hydrogen, rather than just in a battery. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity. Water is the only by-product.
While no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions are produced by FCEVs themselves, like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions depend on the method of energy production.
FCEVs have had two advantages over BEVs:
- fast refuelling with high pressure hydrogen
- longer range
While BEV techology is gaining ground in these two areas, in the long term hydrogen vehicle technologies may be well suited to use in HGVs and by fleet operators - find out more about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-hydrogen-fuel-vehicles
Links
Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
What types of transport biofuels are available and where your business can buy them in Northern Ireland.
Transport biofuels are a renewable alternative to limited resources of fossil fuels. They can be liquid or gas and can help to reduce your business transport emissions.
Biofuels are produced from energy crops or organic waste. Vehicle carbon emissions from biofuel combustion are classed as zero because carbon dioxide has been used in plant growth, creating a closed loop in the carbon cycle.
The overall impact that biofuels have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will depend on where they come from and the way they are produced.
Biofuels are currently blended with conventional petrol, diesel and natural gas in the Northern Ireland. Only some biofuels are commercially available in Northern Ireland for use in vehicles.
Biodiesel and bioethanol
Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, for example rapeseed or soybean. You can also make biodiesel from waste cooking oils. It doesn't contain petroleum and is biodegradable.
Bioethanol is a renewable fuel used as a petrol substitute for vehicles. It is made from starches or sugar, for example corn or sugar cane. It is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol.
Most of the fuel you buy at petrol stations will already have some biodiesel or bioethanol added to it. Large fuel suppliers have increased the amount of biofuel content in their fuel each year and standard pump fuel in Northern Ireland now contains 10 per cent biodiesel or bioethanol (E10). E5 is now only available as "Premium blend".
You can buy fuel with a higher concentration of biodiesel and bioethanol at some outlets. You should contact your vehicle manufacturer before using a higher blend as it could affect engine performance and warranty if your engine is not modified.
You should only use biodiesel that conforms to the recognised European quality standard EN14214 and meets the current diesel specification EN590.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel made from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, such as municipal or food wastes. The main component of biogas is methane. Biogas can be purified to produce liquid biomethane (LBM), which can be used as a vehicle fuel. You can also purify landfill gas to produce biomethane.
Biomethane can be stored as a compressed gas for road vehicles. Any vehicle that can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can run on LBM.
If you want to use other biofuels, for example biogas, you will need to consider installing your own refuelling facilities.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-biofuels-vehicles
Links
How to produce your own biofuel
How to make your own bioethanol, biogas or biodiesel safely and manage any hazardous raw materials and waste.
You may need a pollution prevention and control permit or waste management licence if you produce your own bioethanol or biogas.
How to produce bioethanol
You can make bioethanol fuel from a variety of sugar and starch-rich materials, mainly by fermentation and distillation. It can also be produced by the reaction of ethylene with steam.
When you produce bioethanol, the by-product is a residue called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are classified as a by-product and not a waste if they are used without further processing, either as animal feed or as a fuel. Waste management controls will not apply to your DDGS if you meet these requirements, for example you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
How to produce biogas
Biogas can be produced from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, including municipal or food wastes. The biodegradable material is turned into a gas by anaerobic digestion, using bacteria to break down the organic matter without oxygen in specially designed digesters.
You can then upgrade the biogas, for example using a membrane separation technique, to remove the CO2 and impurities and produce biomethane. You can use biomethane as a vehicle fuel.
The solid waste from anaerobic digestion is called digestate and it can be used in a similar way to compost.
If you follow the quality protocol for anaerobic digestate from biodegradable wastes you can produce a high quality digestate which can be sold without waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
If you don't achieve the standards in the quality protocol then you must follow waste management controls when you handle, transport or apply the digestate.
How to produce biodiesel
There are two ways of producing biodiesel using waste or virgin vegetable oil:
- Chemical production using transesterification - where the oil is heated, filtered and combined with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The mixture will separate producing biodiesel and a by-product, glycerol.
- Physical production - where the oil is heated to melt the fat and remove water. It is then filtered and blended with hydrocarbons to alter the cetane rating (how easily a fuel ignites and how fast it will burn).
If you follow the quality protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats you can produce a high-quality biodiesel which you can sell without following waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note, making it easier to sell your biodiesel.
Find out more about the rules and standards for producing your own biodiesel.
Quality standards for biofuels
You must meet quality standards to sell your fuel in countries within the European Union. These standards apply to biofuel and blends containing biofuel. For example, the standard EN14214 specifies the requirements and test methods for biodiesel produced for use in diesel engines.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/how-produce-your-own-biofuel
Links
Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
When you may need a registration, licence or exemption when producing biofuels for your business in Northern Ireland.
If you want to produce biofuel for commercial or personal use, you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence. This will depend on how much biofuel you want to make and the method you use.
Check if you need a biofuel permit or licence
If you produce biodiesel or bioethanol by chemical means from waste or virgin vegetable oils you will require:
- a PPC permit if you make more than 5,000 litres per year
- a waste management licence if you make less than 5,000 litres per year
If you produce small amounts of biodiesel by physical means you may also require a waste management licence. You will need a waste management licence if you make more than 100 litres per batch for business or personal use.
Biofuels from anaerobic digestion of waste
If you produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion of waste you must also have a PPC permit or waste management licence.
Biofuels from animal by-products
If you produce biodiesel from waste edible fats and oils of animal origin that are not catering waste, you will also be subject to any relevant controls under animal by-product legislation.
For example, if you produce biodiesel using cooking oil from a food manufacturer or fat from animal by-products, your treatment operations will need approval from the Divisional Veterinary Office.
Check if your biofuel activities are low impact
If you produce biodiesel by chemical means and need a PPC permit, your activity may be considered to be low impact. If you meet the criteria set out in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) guidance you may be eligible for a low impact installation (LII) permit. The fees and charges you pay will be less to reflect the lower environmental impact.
For guidance on whether an installation can be classified as low impact, contact the NIEA Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate Helpline on Tel 028 9056 9299 or email ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Follow rules to store waste cooking oil
You may need a waste management licence to store waste cooking oil. If you store more than 1,000 litres of waste cooking oil at any one time you will need a licence.
You must always store your used cooking oil within a suitable secondary containment system, for example a bund.
Follow rules for collecting waste vegetable oil
If you collect and transport waste vegetable oil, for example used cooking oil, for the production of biodiesel then you will need to be a registered waste carrier and follow your duty of care for waste.
Biofuels and REACH regulation
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels in Northern Ireland may need to register those substances when they are manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year - find more guidance on REACH and biodiesel.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/do-you-need-permit-or-licence-produce-biofuel
Links
Developing a sustainable transport policy for our employees - Allstate NI (video)
In this guide:
- Workplace travel planning
- Advantages and benefits of workplace travel plans
- Design a successful travel plan
- Changing travel culture in your business
- Cycling and walking in workplace travel planning
- Public transport benefits for staff
- Car sharing options for your staff
- Car parking in your workplace travel plan
- Developing a sustainable transport policy for our employees - Allstate NI (video)
Advantages and benefits of workplace travel plans
Business advantages of managing work-related travel for your staff, your business reputation and the local environment.
Operating a workplace travel plan can bring many benefits for your business and your staff. In particular, it will save your business money and reduce the impact it has on the environment, for example by reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
By managing business travel needs and associated costs, and promoting sustainable alternatives through a travel plan, you will also demonstrate corporate social responsibility while improving staff engagement and retention.
Business benefits of a workplace travel plan
For your business a workplace travel plan can:
-
save money on the cost of providing and maintaining parking spaces
-
solve problems caused by demand for parking
- cut mileage claims and other business travel costs
-
reduce staff downtime spent travelling on business
-
reduce the costs of running a fleet
-
solve delivery and customer access problems caused by traffic congestion on and around your site
-
improve your image with both customers, suppliers and neighbours
-
improve staff health and reduce absenteeism
-
help recruit and keep staff by making journeys to work easier and cheaper, and improving your image as a responsible employer
-
improve your corporate social responsibility reputation, including meeting environmental targets - see corporate social responsibility
Employee benefits of a workplace travel plan
For your staff a workplace travel plan can:
-
reduce the cost of travel to work, or even remove the need to own a car
-
reduce journey times to work
-
provide a better work-life balance through flexible working and less need to travel on business
-
provide benefits to a wider range of people by shifting from travel perks based on seniority to incentives for sustainable travel available to all staff, including those without a car
-
ensure parking for those with most need of a vehicle
-
help provide less stressful options for travel to work
-
give opportunities to build healthy exercise into daily life
Workplace travel plans can also contribute to a planning application for a new site or for new accommodation on your current site.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-and-benefits-workplace-travel-plans
Links
-
Design a successful travel plan
Tips on how to create, embed and measure a good workplace travel plan to give it the best chance of long term success.
Businesses of different sizes and locations will have different measures of success for a workplace travel plan, but the key features to include for a successful travel plan include:
- Buy-in from management - this will ensure enough resources are allocated. Managers should also lead by example by committing to travel sustainably.
- Buy-in from staff - if your business is large enough, you could use a steering group with representatives from different areas of the business to gain support.
- Allocation of staff time - setting up and running a travel plan will take time and effort, for example conducting a staff travel survey or setting up a car share register. You should support a specific member of staff to implement the travel plan.
- Allocation of money - your travel plan co-ordinator will require a budget to cover things like a travel survey and publicity materials. Many times a travel plan will pay for itself, for example reducing business travel in private cars will cut mileage claims, or holding online meetings which save on the cost of flights.
- A long-term strategic approach - changing the culture of your business will require long-term communication, backed up by encouragement and incentives. Consider reviewing targets in the light of annual monitoring surveys - see changing travel culture in your business.
- Local alliances - consider drawing upon local support, for example your local council, chamber of commerce, or business groups - they may be able to offer practical tips or grants. You may be able to negotiate discounts with transport providers and local cycle shops etc or liaise with other local businesses that have travel plans in place.
- Information gathering - find out more about the travel habits of those coming to your site and the transport possibilities in your local area. This will help you to establish a baseline to monitor the progress and success of your travel plan.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/design-successful-travel-plan
Links
Changing travel culture in your business
Change your workplace travel culture through incentives, flexible and home working and investing in videoconferencing.
Moving away from a culture of single occupancy car use is essential to a successful travel plan, but it's also a challenge. Businesses often provide company cars as part of employment packages or set high mileage reimbursement rates as a 'perk'.
On the other hand, high quality potential employees can be attracted by your business reputation for staff care and the local environment. Making it easy for your employees to make alternative choices can help to reduce their reliance on car travel.
Promotion and incentives
How you pitch the plan is vital to its success - it needs to be promoted in a positive way. Energetic marketing campaigns will encourage strong uptake. Focus on the personal benefits that changing travel patterns could have for your employees - like saving them money and having a healthier, less stressful life.
You could use a variety of marketing tools and techniques, such as:
- branding the plan
- using promotional events
- staff incentives, special offers and prizes
- involving your business in external competitions
Induction packs for new starters should also include comprehensive information about sustainable travel options.
You need to commit to a long-term communication effort to ensure that the message stays fresh and that travel patterns change.
Flexi-time and home working
Flexible working, including home working, is a viable option for many businesses even if it is just for short defined periods. It also ties in with wider business objectives such as committing to improving work/life balance.
You could also consider staggering shifts or start and finish times to maximise the use of public transport and to avoid peak travel times.
Video conferencing
Videoconferencing can be a very efficient alternative to face-to-face meetings which would require time-consuming and costly travel.
Plenty of free video call options are available through popular internet companies, allowing any business to get started with minimum cost. Technical advances mean documents and graphics can be easily displayed within calls, and meetings can be recorded for later use.
Investing in conference phones, videoconference suites and business-licensed conferencing software and technical infrastructure is an important step if you want to embed this in your everyday business culture. Return on your investment costs can be assessed against travel costs saved.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/changing-travel-culture-your-business
Links
Cycling and walking in workplace travel planning
Helping your staff to cycle or walk to work can lead to supporting a healthier and more productive workforce.
The health benefits of walking or cycling to work are proven. Public Health Agency guidance shows that 30 minutes of moderate exercise five times a week cuts the risk of developing serious illnesses by up to half. Your business and staff will benefit from establishing a culture where walking and cycling into work becomes part of an everyday routine.
Cycling to work
There are practical measures which you can take to increase cycling journeys among your staff. Carrying out a staff survey can help you to prioritise what measures you need to take.
Investing in secure and sheltered cycle parking can make a big difference to employees' choice to cycle to work. Bicycle theft is common in Northern Ireland, especially from on-street cycle stands and in areas with poor security monitoring. Making a bicycle shelter available in an off-street location will make cycling more attractive to your staff. Many businesses in Northern Ireland have invested in lockable bicycle cages for additional security.
Providing additional facilities such as showers, changing rooms and lockers can also encourage longer journeys. You should also consider whether high-profile bicycle parking outside your premises can attract customers.
Pushing for improved cycle routes around your premises and on regular routes to work can also make cycling more attractive. In leased or shared business centres talk to the landowner about improvements that your business needs. Larger businesses with their own premises may invest in dedicated cycling routes within their grounds.
Safety is a major barrier to cycling to work, particularly in areas of Northern Ireland where cycling infrastructure is poor or non-existent. Contact the Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and your local district council about improving cycling infrastructure in the area, or to discuss issues that arise with roads and junctions around your workplace.
Cycling training can be provided to help staff gain confidence - find out about Bikeability cycle training. Promoting cycling to work can include regular cycling events, taking parts in external 'cycle to work' competitions with other businesses and getting involved with events like Bike Week.
As an employer, you are entitled to lend your employees bicycles and related equipment tax-free. Providing cycle parking is also tax-exempt. Alternatively, the Cycle to Work scheme offers a way to dramatically cut the cost of cycles to employees. Typical savings are between 30 and 50 per cent - find out more about the Cycle to Work scheme.
You should also consider setting up a bicycle users' group (BUG). A BUG enables employees to swap knowledge about things like the safest routes to work, and to give ongoing feedback on improvement which may be needed.
Walking to work
The option of walking to work may be cheaper than other transport but some crucial barriers remain. Assessing certain factors in your workplace travel plan can help to make it more attractive to staff.
- Well-lit routes - is the lighting around your building and nearby streets adequate? Report problems to the landowner, your council or DfI if staff don't feel safe due to dark sections of their walking routes.
- Route planning - building in walking as part of a longer journey eg from a public transport hub to your premises will be more attractive with a direct route. Help your staff to see the options with route maps and push for local infrastructure improvements, for example safer crossings on busy junctions and new traffic-free bridges over local rivers or roads.
Sustrans provides support and advice to businesses on promoting walking and cycling in the workplace.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/cycling-and-walking-workplace-travel-planning
Links
Public transport benefits for staff
Practical tips to increase public transport use among your staff by promoting available tax benefits and cost savings.
Many areas of Northern Ireland benefit from good quality public transport, especially with the railway network, the Metro bus network in Belfast and future plans for the expansion of the Belfast Bus Rapid Transit system, Glider. However the rural nature of much of the country means public transport isn't the first option for many people.
Some employees may take some persuading to convince them to use public transport. Common complaints include:
- fare costs
- infrequent or unreliable services
- feeling of safety at stations
- inconvenience compared with other options
Promoting public transport
Public transport plays an important role in reducing congestion in our urban areas and benefits public health by encouraging walking and cycling as part of door-to-door journeys. Some things you could do to encourage greater use of public transport might include:
- securing a discount ticket deal that covers a range of fares from daily to annual season tickets
- offering an interest-free loan to boost take-up of season tickets
- negotiating with Translink and other transport operators about rescheduling services, extending bus routes, organising new bus services or improving station facilities
- offering a free minibus service from local train and bus stations
Making your staff aware of the many 'Park and Ride' locations around Northern Ireland can help to reduce car travel - find more information on Park and Ride.
Any service improvement needs to be backed up by strong marketing to ensure people have access to up-to-date information, eg timetable changes. Consider displaying information on your intranet, if appropriate, or distribute it in leaflet or poster form. It's essential you actively promote services to increase uptake.
Translink offer several options for discounted travel over long periods, such as the aLink card. You can contact Translink to obtain promotional material and discuss schemes.
Tax benefits of travel plans
You can take advantage of exemptions from tax or National Insurance contributions in certain situations. For example, if you provide work buses with more than nine seats or if you provide interest-free loans - up to £5,000 a year - to buy season tickets.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/public-transport-benefits-staff
Links
Car sharing options for your staff
Car sharing benefits to businesses and employees, how to make journey choices and finding Park and Share car parks.
Car sharing - also known as lift-sharing, carpooling or ride-sharing - is when two or more people arrange to share a car journey. Car sharing can help your employees and your business cut back on car use, for both commuter journeys and business-related travel. This saves your staff money and helps to cut congestion and pollution in Northern Ireland.
Informal car sharing, where employees share with colleagues, neighbours or family members has always been a crucial part of NI's transport system. This is usually supported by notice boards in business premises which are a good place for employees to find colleagues looking to share journeys. The growth of the internet has seen the development of a more widespread use of car sharing supported by online notice boards which can help staff to find car sharing matches both inside and outside the business.
There are two main types of car sharing:
- Open car sharing - where anyone in a defined geographical area can join a sharing scheme. This involves no input from the employer, and is likely to be most appropriate for small businesses if the staff don't live near each other.
- Closed car sharing - where a business sets up an in-house car-matching scheme.
You can find out more about car sharing and join local schemes with Liftshare.
Car sharing in NI is encouraged by the Department for Infrastructure with dedicated 'Park and Share' car parks at key road junctions. These act as meet-up points for sharers - find more information on Park and Share sites.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/car-sharing-options-your-staff
Links
Car parking in your workplace travel plan
Managing car parking provision in a sustainable way in your workplace travel plan to promote sustainable travel.
How you manage car parking is integral to your workplace travel plan. Having a zero-parking policy may be an option for businesses in town and city centres where public transport is good. On the other hand, providing plentiful free car parking is likely to encourage your employees to use their cars.
Even if your business offers a lot of parking space, you may struggle to cater for all your staff and visitors. You could also find yourself unable or unwilling to provide more space, due to the expense involved or a lack of available land.
One way to manage car parking is to introduce a needs-based parking permit system. This can allow you to allocate guaranteed parking to those with mobility difficulties, perhaps those who car share or with caring responsibilities, or some employees with a clear business need to access parking facilities on a regular basis.
Alternatively, you could charge staff for car parking. This is unlikely to prove popular with employees unless it is pitched clearly and fairly. It may help to make your staff aware that the business cost of providing each parking space is typically £400 to £1,000 per year.
You could counterbalance parking charges by offering incentives for not driving into work. These can include entry into prize draws, providing shopping vouchers and awarding salary bonuses. You should be aware that salary bonuses are taxable.
You may also consider using the revenue from new car park charges to fund some of your workplace travel plan incentives. This way employees will be able to see the balance of 'give and take' in your travel plan and can help staff to accept change.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/car-parking-your-workplace-travel-plan
Links
Workplace travel planning
Developing a sustainable transport policy for our employees - Allstate NI (video)
Video case study of how Allstate NI implemented a successful workplace travel plan to save employees and the wider business money.
Glen Burgess, an employee at Allstate NI with responsibility for sustainable transport policies, explains how they created an award-winning workplace travel plan.
Allstate NI, with offices in Belfast, Derry~Londonderry and Strabane, provides software development services and business solutions in support of Allstate Corporation's global activities. In 2009 Allstate NI identified transport as a gap in their environmental policies and worked to identify where travel cost savings could be made for their employees and core business.
Here Glen and Managing Director Bro McFerran explain how a successful workplace travel plan benefits the work-life balance of Allstate NI's employees, and can benefit businesses of any size.
Case StudyGlen BurgessContent category
Source URL
/content/developing-sustainable-transport-policy-our-employees-allstate-ni-video
Links
End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
In this guide:
- Zero emission vehicles and alternative fuels
- Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
- Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
- End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
- Advantages of electric vehicles for business
- Charging your business electric vehicles
- Electric vehicles incentives for business
- Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
- Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
- How to produce your own biofuel
- Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
Advantages of reducing your vehicle emissions
How reducing vehicle emissions can benefit your business by reducing costs and improving your environmental performance.
Limiting your vehicle emissions can help you to reduce your environmental impact and benefit your business.
Emissions from vehicle exhausts are a significant source of air pollutants including:
- CO2
- carbon monoxide
- fine dust particles
- nitrogen oxides
- unburnt hydrocarbons
You should try to limit the emissions that your business vehicles produce as they may:
- lead to ill health, such as respiratory problems, among your staff and the public
- cause a nuisance to your neighbours
- contribute to roadside levels of pollution in urban centres
- contribute to climate change
You can also reduce your transport costs, such as fuel bills and vehicle tax, by choosing vehicles that are more environmentally friendly and using them more efficiently.
Financial savings
By using vehicles more efficiently you can make significant financial savings through:
- reduced fuel costs
- less wear and tear and maintenance costs
- using your employees' time more efficiently
- finding new uses for land previously used for parking
Improved business image
Reducing your environmental impact can help to demonstrate corporate social responsibility.
Awareness of environmental issues is growing, and customers, investors and other stakeholders increasingly prefer to deal with businesses that have good environmental credentials. Having environmental policies and procedures in place is likely to be viewed positively and can also help you win contracts when you tender for business.
Employee benefits
Educating your employees about the environmental impacts of transport and encouraging them to walk, cycle or use public transport for commuting and business travel can benefit their health and finances. It may also contribute to reduced sickness absence, increased staff retention and improved local air quality.
A cost-effective way for you to put these policies in place is to draw up a workplace travel plan.
Training your employees to drive safely and efficiently and to maintain vehicles can help reduce vehicle emissions and the number of work-related road incidents. Employees also benefit from a cleaner and safer environment and save money if they drive work vehicles more efficiently.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-reducing-your-vehicle-emissions
Links
Reduce the environmental impact of transport logistics
Help to help tackle environmental issues and save money for your business by changing your distribution methods.
Rethinking your logistics - the planning and implementation of moving goods and supplying services - can help you reduce your environmental impact.
If your business transports either your own or another organisation's freight, improving your systems may benefit your business and reduce your impact on the environment.
Sustainable logistics
If your business is making and receiving deliveries to and from a warehouse, it might make sense to have one central distribution centre. This could be cost-effective and has less environmental impact than a dispersed distribution system.
To reduce your carbon footprint further you should also consider the journeys that suppliers of goods and services make to and from your premises. You could aim to use local businesses where possible and check out your suppliers' environmental credentials by asking to see their environmental reports and policies - see supply chain efficiency and environmental impact.
Reducing fuel use
Fuel can account for at least 30 per cent of operating costs of most road freight transport operations, so you should start by improving fuel management. The most basic way to reduce fuel bills and lowers accident rates is by driving more efficiently. More efficient driving can produce around 15 per cent reduction in fuel use and CO2 emissions, and increase electric vehicles range by 20 per cent.
You can find information and resources to help your business lower its costs, while reducing the carbon emissions from your organisation’s vehicles and employee travel with the Energy Saving Trust.
By sourcing blends of renewable fuel you can reduce the carbon intensity of your fleet. Operators can get independent assurance of purchasing sustainable, low carbon fuels approved under the Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation (RTFO), and customer supply chain specific greenhouse gas emission performance data through the Renewable Fuels Assurance Scheme.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/reduce-environmental-impact-transport-logistics
Links
End dates for non-zero emission vehicle sales
Pathway for decarbonisation of cars, vans and HGVs in the UK with key dates for ending petrol and diesel vehicle sales.
Vehicle emissions are one of the biggest drivers of climate change. The mass adoption of zero emission vehicles can help deliver carbon reductions, improve air quality and grow the green economy.
The United Kingdom government has committed to a pathway for the decarbonisation of cars, vans and heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) to help businesses to plan for the transition over several years.
Cars and vans decarbonisation dates
The UK government has set out a path for all new cars and vans sold to be zero emission by 2035.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission cars and vans.
HGVs decarbonisation dates
A two phase approach to decarbonising HGVs is being adopted by the UK government:
- The phase-out of non-zero emission heavy goods vehicles weighing 26 tonnes and under by 2035.
- All new HGVs sold in the UK will be zero emission by 2040.
Find out more about the plans for the transition to zero emission HGVs.
Buses, coaches and minibuses decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in spring 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission buses, coaches and minibuses.
L-category vehicles decarbonisation plans
The UK government ran a consultation in summer 2022 on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles – for example, mopeds, motorcycles, powered tricycles and quadricycles.
DfT is analysing feedback and will announce the outcome in due course – find out more about the consultation on ending the sale of new, non-zero emission L-category vehicles.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/end-dates-non-zero-emission-vehicle-sales
Links
Advantages of electric vehicles for business
What electric cars and vans can offer to businesses by reducing costs and boosting your environmental reputation
Electric vehicles offer a great reduction in transport costs for businesses, especially for fleet vehicles with regular journeys of up to 100 miles per day. Although electric vehicles can be more expensive to buy, they have significantly lower running costs when compared to petrol or diesel equivalents.
It can cost as little as 2 pence a mile to run an electric vehicle when charging on off-peak electricity. This is compared to over 20 pence per mile for petrol and diesel, representing a huge saving on fuel costs.
There are a series of financial incentives for businesses, including tax and duty exemptions for you and your employees and capital allowances.
Moving to use electric vehicles gives businesses the chance to become involved in innovative transport developments which are addressing environmental issues. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe emissions. It is estimated that an electric car powered by today's grid could emit between 15 per cent and 40 per cent less CO2 over its lifetime than a similar-sized petrol car.
Setting environmental concerns at the heart of your business can be a key part of demonstrating your corporate social responsibility.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-electric-vehicles-business
Links
Charging your business electric vehicles
Public and private charging networks and the process and incentives for installing charge points at your business.
Electric vehicles work well for regular short to medium journeys. The growth of rapid charging infrastructure is enabling businesses to use electric vehicles for longer journeys. This makes electric vehicles a realistic transport option for many businesses operating within Northern Ireland.
The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has been installing public charging points across NI. This network enables electric vehicle users to charge at various points during longer journeys. Knowing where the public charging points are sited can help with a decision to invest in an electric vehicle. There is also financial support for the installation of certain types of private charging points.
Private charge points
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher-based scheme that provides eligible applicants with support towards the upfront costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points.
The WCS is open to businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet the applicant and site eligibility criteria.
The grant covers up to 75 per cent of the total costs of the purchase and installation of electric vehicle charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of:
- £350 per socket
- 40 sockets across all sites per applicant, eg if you would like to install them in 40 sites, you will have one socket available per site
Find out more about private charge point support.
Public rapid charge points
Rapid charge points are 50kW outlets - these can charge capable vehicles up to 80 per cent in around 20 to 25 minutes. These are located in petrol stations and on key strategic routes around Northern Ireland.
Public fast charge points
Fast charge points are 22kW double-headed outlets able to charge two vehicles at the same time. They are located in shopping centres, car parks, on-street, tourist attractions and other locations where electric vehicle drivers tend to park regularly. Depending on the type of electric vehicle, they charge within one to six hours.
You can find a map of all electric vehicle public charge points across the island of Ireland.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/charging-your-business-electric-vehicles
Links
Electric vehicles incentives for business
Financial and other incentives for businesses when investing in different types of electric vehicles.
Electric vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, however purchase costs for many electric cars and vans are still more expensive than some equivalent petrol and diesel vehicles. While the ongoing running costs are highly attractive to businesses, the initial investment costs of electric vehicles can be significant. Your business may be eligible for grants and other support to make electric vehicles an easier choice.
Grant for electric cars
The plug-in car grant scheme closed to new orders on 14 June 2022.
The scheme supported the creation of a mature market in the United Kingdom, helping to increase the sales of fully electric cars from less than 1,000 in 2011 to almost 100,000 in the first five months of 2022 alone. Due to this, the UK government is now refocusing funding towards the main barriers to the electric vehicle transition, including public charging and supporting the purchase of other road vehicles where the switch to electric requires further development.
Grant for electric vans
Grants are available of up to £5,000 for large vans and £2,500 for small vans, with a limit of 1,000 per customer per year.
Find out more about the types of van eligible for a plug-in grant.
It’s not only vans which can attract a plug-in grant - the eligible categories are:
- wheelchair accessible vehicles
- motorcycles
- mopeds
- small vans
- large vans
- taxis
- trucks
Not all low-emission vehicles will get a grant. Only vehicles that have been approved by the government are eligible for a grant. Find out more about the grants, specific vehicle types and eligibility information.
Tax incentives for electric vehicles
Owning or operating an electric vehicle can attract various tax benefits, including exemptions from:
- fuel duty
- vehicle excise duty
- company car tax
- van benefit charge
- fuel benefit charge
Tax incentives for electric vehicles can save drivers over £2,000 a year.
You can claim capital allowances for a business electric car or van - see capital allowances.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/electric-vehicles-incentives-business
Links
Advantages of hydrogen fuel for vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell technology benefits to your business in reduced fuel costs and lower transport emissions.
The United Kingdom government has identified the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in the decarbonisation of transport.
Greenhouse gas emissions savings of between 10 per cent (compared with a diesel HGV) and around 43 per cent (compared with a petrol car) are possible with hydrogen-powered transport.
Hydrogen is likely to be most effective in transport in areas ‘that batteries cannot reach’, where energy density requirements or duty cycles, weight and volume restrictions and refuelling times make it the most suitable green energy source.
Benefits of hydrogen vehicles
Hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) have zero tailpipe emissions. FCEVs use electric motors to drive the wheels, but store energy on-board as compressed hydrogen, rather than just in a battery. Hydrogen reacts with oxygen from the air in an on-board fuel cell to produce electricity. Water is the only by-product.
While no greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions are produced by FCEVs themselves, like battery electric vehicles (BEVs), their well-to-wheel greenhouse gas emissions depend on the method of energy production.
FCEVs have had two advantages over BEVs:
- fast refuelling with high pressure hydrogen
- longer range
While BEV techology is gaining ground in these two areas, in the long term hydrogen vehicle technologies may be well suited to use in HGVs and by fleet operators - find out more about hydrogen fuel cell technology.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-hydrogen-fuel-vehicles
Links
Advantages of biofuels for vehicles
What types of transport biofuels are available and where your business can buy them in Northern Ireland.
Transport biofuels are a renewable alternative to limited resources of fossil fuels. They can be liquid or gas and can help to reduce your business transport emissions.
Biofuels are produced from energy crops or organic waste. Vehicle carbon emissions from biofuel combustion are classed as zero because carbon dioxide has been used in plant growth, creating a closed loop in the carbon cycle.
The overall impact that biofuels have on reducing greenhouse gas emissions will depend on where they come from and the way they are produced.
Biofuels are currently blended with conventional petrol, diesel and natural gas in the Northern Ireland. Only some biofuels are commercially available in Northern Ireland for use in vehicles.
Biodiesel and bioethanol
Biodiesel is a substitute fuel produced for diesel engines. It is a renewable fuel made from vegetable oil crops, for example rapeseed or soybean. You can also make biodiesel from waste cooking oils. It doesn't contain petroleum and is biodegradable.
Bioethanol is a renewable fuel used as a petrol substitute for vehicles. It is made from starches or sugar, for example corn or sugar cane. It is biodegradable and less toxic and explosive than petrol.
Most of the fuel you buy at petrol stations will already have some biodiesel or bioethanol added to it. Large fuel suppliers have increased the amount of biofuel content in their fuel each year and standard pump fuel in Northern Ireland now contains 10 per cent biodiesel or bioethanol (E10). E5 is now only available as "Premium blend".
You can buy fuel with a higher concentration of biodiesel and bioethanol at some outlets. You should contact your vehicle manufacturer before using a higher blend as it could affect engine performance and warranty if your engine is not modified.
You should only use biodiesel that conforms to the recognised European quality standard EN14214 and meets the current diesel specification EN590.
Biogas
Biogas is a renewable fuel made from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, such as municipal or food wastes. The main component of biogas is methane. Biogas can be purified to produce liquid biomethane (LBM), which can be used as a vehicle fuel. You can also purify landfill gas to produce biomethane.
Biomethane can be stored as a compressed gas for road vehicles. Any vehicle that can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) can run on LBM.
If you want to use other biofuels, for example biogas, you will need to consider installing your own refuelling facilities.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/advantages-biofuels-vehicles
Links
How to produce your own biofuel
How to make your own bioethanol, biogas or biodiesel safely and manage any hazardous raw materials and waste.
You may need a pollution prevention and control permit or waste management licence if you produce your own bioethanol or biogas.
How to produce bioethanol
You can make bioethanol fuel from a variety of sugar and starch-rich materials, mainly by fermentation and distillation. It can also be produced by the reaction of ethylene with steam.
When you produce bioethanol, the by-product is a residue called dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS). DDGS are classified as a by-product and not a waste if they are used without further processing, either as animal feed or as a fuel. Waste management controls will not apply to your DDGS if you meet these requirements, for example you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
How to produce biogas
Biogas can be produced from biodegradable materials including maize crops and wastes, including municipal or food wastes. The biodegradable material is turned into a gas by anaerobic digestion, using bacteria to break down the organic matter without oxygen in specially designed digesters.
You can then upgrade the biogas, for example using a membrane separation technique, to remove the CO2 and impurities and produce biomethane. You can use biomethane as a vehicle fuel.
The solid waste from anaerobic digestion is called digestate and it can be used in a similar way to compost.
If you follow the quality protocol for anaerobic digestate from biodegradable wastes you can produce a high quality digestate which can be sold without waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note.
If you don't achieve the standards in the quality protocol then you must follow waste management controls when you handle, transport or apply the digestate.
How to produce biodiesel
There are two ways of producing biodiesel using waste or virgin vegetable oil:
- Chemical production using transesterification - where the oil is heated, filtered and combined with an alcohol (usually methanol) and a catalyst. The mixture will separate producing biodiesel and a by-product, glycerol.
- Physical production - where the oil is heated to melt the fat and remove water. It is then filtered and blended with hydrocarbons to alter the cetane rating (how easily a fuel ignites and how fast it will burn).
If you follow the quality protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats you can produce a high-quality biodiesel which you can sell without following waste management controls. For example, if it is not classed as a waste, you do not need to transport it using a waste carrier or with a waste transfer note, making it easier to sell your biodiesel.
Find out more about the rules and standards for producing your own biodiesel.
Quality standards for biofuels
You must meet quality standards to sell your fuel in countries within the European Union. These standards apply to biofuel and blends containing biofuel. For example, the standard EN14214 specifies the requirements and test methods for biodiesel produced for use in diesel engines.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/how-produce-your-own-biofuel
Links
Do you need a permit or licence to produce biofuel?
When you may need a registration, licence or exemption when producing biofuels for your business in Northern Ireland.
If you want to produce biofuel for commercial or personal use, you may need a pollution prevention and control (PPC) permit or waste management licence. This will depend on how much biofuel you want to make and the method you use.
Check if you need a biofuel permit or licence
If you produce biodiesel or bioethanol by chemical means from waste or virgin vegetable oils you will require:
- a PPC permit if you make more than 5,000 litres per year
- a waste management licence if you make less than 5,000 litres per year
If you produce small amounts of biodiesel by physical means you may also require a waste management licence. You will need a waste management licence if you make more than 100 litres per batch for business or personal use.
Biofuels from anaerobic digestion of waste
If you produce biogas from the anaerobic digestion of waste you must also have a PPC permit or waste management licence.
Biofuels from animal by-products
If you produce biodiesel from waste edible fats and oils of animal origin that are not catering waste, you will also be subject to any relevant controls under animal by-product legislation.
For example, if you produce biodiesel using cooking oil from a food manufacturer or fat from animal by-products, your treatment operations will need approval from the Divisional Veterinary Office.
Check if your biofuel activities are low impact
If you produce biodiesel by chemical means and need a PPC permit, your activity may be considered to be low impact. If you meet the criteria set out in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) guidance you may be eligible for a low impact installation (LII) permit. The fees and charges you pay will be less to reflect the lower environmental impact.
For guidance on whether an installation can be classified as low impact, contact the NIEA Industrial Pollution and Radiochemical Inspectorate Helpline on Tel 028 9056 9299 or email ipri@daera-ni.gov.uk.
Follow rules to store waste cooking oil
You may need a waste management licence to store waste cooking oil. If you store more than 1,000 litres of waste cooking oil at any one time you will need a licence.
You must always store your used cooking oil within a suitable secondary containment system, for example a bund.
Follow rules for collecting waste vegetable oil
If you collect and transport waste vegetable oil, for example used cooking oil, for the production of biodiesel then you will need to be a registered waste carrier and follow your duty of care for waste.
Biofuels and REACH regulation
Manufacturers or importers of biofuels in Northern Ireland may need to register those substances when they are manufactured or imported in quantities of one tonne or more per year - find more guidance on REACH and biodiesel.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/do-you-need-permit-or-licence-produce-biofuel
Links
Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
In this guide:
- International road haulage permits
- Standard International operator's licence for road haulage
- UK Licence for the Community
- Bilateral road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
- ECMT international road haulage permits
- ECMT international removal permits
- Own Account traffic - road haulage exemption
- Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- Transport goods in and out of the UK using vans or car and trailers
Standard International operator's licence for road haulage
Guidelines on the requirement to hold a Standard International operator's licence and how to apply for one.
A standard international licence means you can carry your own goods, and other people’s goods, both in the United Kingdom and on international journeys.
After you get a standard international licence, you can also request the issue of a UK Licence for the Community. A UK Licence for the Community allows:
- trips between all European Union member countries
- transit traffic through EU member countries
- cabotage (a journey entirely within one EU country)
How to apply for a standard international licence
You can apply online on the nidirect website.
You can also find out more about licence fees, the standards of fitness and finances required, and how to make changes or renew a licence.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/standard-international-operators-licence-road-haulage
Links
UK Licence for the Community
Licence needed to make international journeys for hire or reward within the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
You need an UK Licence for the Community if you make journeys for hire or reward within the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The UK Licence for the Community has replaced the EU Community Licence.
It’s a single permit that covers trips between these countries. It also allows transit traffic through these countries to and from non-EU countries - but you need extra permits for the non-EU countries.
The UK Licence for the Community also allows you to carry out a limited number of haulage jobs inside an EU country (called ‘cabotage’) or between 2 EU countries (called ‘cross-trade’).
There are no limits on the number of available licences.
If you had an EU Community Licence before 2021
You should have received your replacement UK Licence for the Community by 31 December 2020 if you had an EU Community Licence.
Destroy your old EU Community Licence
You should destroy your old EU Community Licence.If your UK Licence for the Community has not arrived
Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if your replacement licence has not arrived. You need to give your operator licence number.Eligibility
You must have a standard international vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or a standard international vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland to apply for a UK Licence for the Community.
Where you can use the licences
You can use UK Licences for the Community in the 27 EU countries and 4 other countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Apply for licences
Call DVSA get a licence. You need your vehicle operator licence number.
DVSA customer service centre
Tel: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pmUK Licences for the Community are valid until the 5-yearly renewal date of your operator’s licence.
Fees
There’s no fee for UK Licences for the Community if you have a standard international vehicle operator licence.
Rules for using the licences
You can only use licences that have been issued to you. You cannot transfer them to another operator or company.
The licence includes:
- an office copy - you must keep this at your main office so that it can be inspected by enforcement agencies
- certified copies - you can get a certified copy for each of the vehicles authorised by your standard international vehicle operator licence
Certified copies of the licences are not specific to any one vehicle.
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry a certified copy of your UK Licence for the Community in your vehicle when transporting goods in or through EU countries.You must also carry a certified copy if you’re transporting goods using another type of permit.
The driver must show it to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Important: It’s illegal to not carry the certified copy or show it to enforcement officers when asked to.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen licences
You must tell DVSA if your documents are lost, damaged or stolen.
DVSA customer service centre
Tel: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return the office copy and certified copies to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Also on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/uk-licence-community
Links
Bilateral road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
Permits to travel to or through Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine
You can apply for permits for 8 non-EU countries that the UK has agreements with to transport goods to or through those countries. These countries are:
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Each country has single-journey permits. Whether or not you need a permit depends on:
- the size of the vehicle
- the nature of the goods being carried
You need a permit in some of the 8 countries if your vehicle is just carrying goods in connection with your own business, and not for hire or reward (sometimes called ‘own account traffic’).
Special permits for Morocco
There are also 2 extra types of permits for Morocco to:- enter Morocco with an empty vehicle
- take in filming equipment and material for film or TV products, or equipment for exhibitions (including racing)
Eligibility
You must have the right type of vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland for the goods you’re transporting to apply for a permit.
Where you can use the permits
You can use the permits to travel to or through:
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Morocco
- Russia
- Tunisia
- Turkey (you only need a permit when you’re continuing on to another third-country)
- Ukraine (you only need a permit if you have a Euro III or Euro IV vehicle)
You also need a permit for ‘own account’ journeys to:
- Belarus
- Morocco
- Russia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
Single-journey permits are valid for one complete journey. The outward and return trips count as one complete journey.
Multiple-journey permits are available for Morocco which authorises 15 return trips during the validity of the permit.
Apply for permits
Download and fill in the application form.
Send it to DVSA at least 5 working days before you start your journey from the UK.
Include a cheque or postal order to pay the fee. If you want to pay by debit or credit card, DVSA will contact you to take the payment when your application arrives.
International Road Haulage Permits Office
DVSA
Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NFApply for road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
(PDF, 143KB).Fees
Country Permit type Cost Belarus Single-journey permit £8 Georgia Single-journey permit £8 Kazakhstan Single-journey permit Free Morocco Single-journey permit £8 Morocco Multiple-journey permit (15 return journeys) £50 Morocco Empty entry £8 Morocco Hors contingent (film and TV equipment, or exhibition equipment) £8 Russia Single-journey permit £8 Tunisia Single-journey permit £8 Turkey Single-journey permit £8 Ukraine Single-journey permit £8
Rules for using the permits
You can only use the permit in one vehicle at a time.
You must return all special entry permits for Morocco within 15 days of them expiring - whether you’ve used them or not.
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry the permit in your vehicle for the whole of the outward and return journey.You need to show the permit at the border, and you’ll be allowed to pass into or through that country.
You must show the permit to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Depending on the terms of the bilateral agreement, you may still have to pay certain local taxes.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return unused permits to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Get help with bilateral international road haulage permits
Contact the DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office to get help with bilateral permits.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmContent category
Source URL
/content/bilateral-road-haulage-permits-some-non-eu-countries
Links
ECMT international road haulage permits
Permits you'll need to drive goods vehicles to or through ECMT member countries and the rules you have to follow
Last updated: 31 December 2021
ECMT permits allow you to transport most types of goods (or drive an empty vehicle) through ECMT member countries.
You need to follow rules about using your ECMT permits, including your drivers carrying the right documents.
Check if you need ECMT permits
You can use ECMT international road haulage permits for journeys between 43 ECMT member countries:
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.
A limited number of ECMT permits are available. However, you can usually make journeys to 41 of these 43 countries without an ECMT permit.
EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
You only need your UK Licence for the Community if your journey is between the UK and an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.You do not need an ECMT permit.
Cross-trade jobs in the EU
You can use your UK Licence for the Community to carry out 2 cross-trade jobs (moving goods between 2 countries) in the EU.You need an ECMT permit if you want to carry out a third cross-trade job. The ECMT permit will let you carry out 3 cross-trade jobs between any ECMT country.
Cross-trade jobs between EU and non-EU countries
You need an ECMT permit if you want to carry out a cross-trade job between the EU and a non-EU country. The non-EU country must be an ECMT member country.Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine
You do not usually need any permits to transport goods to, through or from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.However, you need to get a bilateral road haulage permit if you’re travelling:
- through Turkey to another country
- in Ukraine using a Euro III or Euro IV vehicle
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia or Tunisia
You can get bilateral road haulage permits instead of ECMT permits if your journey involves Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia or Tunisia.Unlike ECMT permits, many more of these permits are available.
Armenia or Azerbaijan
You must have an ECMT permit to transport goods to, through or from Armenia or Azerbaijan.If your journey also includes any other ECMT countries, you should:
- use your ECMT permit for the journey
- not apply for separate bilateral permits - you cannot use a bilateral road haulage permit at the same time as an ECMT permit
What you cannot use ECMT permits for
You cannot use ECMT permits:- to travel through ECMT countries to countries that are not in the scheme
- for cabotage (loading and unloading goods for hire or reward between 2 points in a country by a vehicle that’s not registered in that country)
Cyprus is not part of the ECMT scheme. You cannot use an ECMT permit to transport goods through Cyprus to ECMT countries.
Eligibility
To apply for an ECMT permit, you must:
- have a vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or a vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland
- have Euro VI or Euro V emissions standard vehicles (depending on the type of permit you’re applying for)
Apply for permits
You can apply for:
- short-term permits for 30 days
- annual permits valid until 31 December 2022
Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) International Road Haulage Permits Office to apply.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.ukYou need to include:
- your operator licence number
- the date of your first journey
- the type of journey (third cross-trade, cross-trade from an EU country to a non-EU country, or travel to a non-EU ECMT country)
- the journey destination, including your loading and unloading points
- which countries you’ll go through to reach your destination
- how many permits you need
- which type of vehicle you’ll use (Euro V or Euro VI)
What happens next
You might be asked to send proof that you’ll be travelling to your destination in 2022 (for example, a contract to import and export, or evidence of recent or regular journey to the country).
You’ll then need to pay the application fee and pay for your permits.
-
Pay the non-refundable £10 application fee for each permit when DVSA requests it.
-
Email DVSA to confirm you’ve paid the application fee.
-
Pay the permit fee when DVSA requests it. It costs £10 per short-term permit and £123 per annual permit.
-
Email DVSA to confirm you have paid the permit fee.
-
DVSA will post your permits to you.
Rules for using the permits
You must carry your UK Licence for the Community during any journeys to or through EU countries when you’re using an ECMT permit.
You can use an ECMT permit to make an unlimited number of journeys within:
- a calendar year, if you have an annual permit
- 30 days of the start date on the permit, if you have a short-term permit
You have to return to the UK after every third journey.
You can only use your original permit. You cannot:
- make copies of it
- transfer it to other vehicle operators or businesses
- use it in more than one vehicle at a time
Do not laminate the permit, as it may be stamped at checkpoints.
Example
If you have 10 ECMT permits, you can have a maximum of 10 vehicles making journeys to or through ECMT countries at once.When a vehicle returns to the UK, you can use the same permit to make another journey during the period it is valid for, or you can move the permit to another vehicle on your operator licences. That vehicle can then make journeys to or through ECMT countries.
If you have more than one vehicle operator licence
You can use an ECMT permit for a vehicle assigned to any of your operator licences. It’s not allocated to a specific operator licence.You’re not allowed to transfer a permit to another business entity, for example, a sister company.
Rules for the vehicles and trailers
You cannot use ECMT permits you’re allocated:- for unaccompanied trailers or semi-trailers
- with vehicles of a lower Euro emissions class to that shown on the permit (for example, you cannot use a Euro VI permit in a Euro V vehicle, but you can use a Euro V permit in a Euro VI vehicle)
Get an ECMT ‘certificate of compliance’ for vehicles and trailers
You must carry an ECMT ‘certificate of compliance’ in your vehicle and trailer. They must confirm the vehicle meets the correct Euro emissions standard and the trailer meets the technical safety requirements.If your permit application is successful, request a certificate from your vehicle or trailer manufacturer, or email DVSA for advice.
Get an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for vehicles and trailers
You must carry an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for your vehicle and trailer.If your permit application is successful and you do not already have a certificate, apply online to get one.
Apply for an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness.
Before you start
To apply for an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness, you need:- your username and password if you’ve used the service to manage your vehicle operator licence before (you can register in the service if you’ve not used it before)
- the vehicle registration number (number plate)
- the trailer registration number or ID number from DVLA (if you’re applying for a trailer)
- the vehicle or trailer type and make
- the certificate of compliance number (leave this blank if you do not have the number)
- vehicle identification number (VIN)
- engine type and number
Meet the ECMT Quality Charter
You must meet the ECMT Quality Charter requirements.If you have a standard international operator licence
You already meet the requirements of the charter if you have a standard international operator licenceIf you have a restricted or standard national operator licence
If you have a restricted or standard national operator licence you need to:- have a transport manager
- give proof you have the higher levels of financial standing needed for a standard international licence
You can also apply for a standard international licence to show you meet the ECMT Quality Charter.
Fill in the ECMT log book before a journey
Each ECMT permit comes with a log book.Before you start a journey, fill in the permit’s log book (in pen, not pencil) with a full record of all the journey’s details.
If you make a mistake, cross it out. Make sure the mistake is still readable, as it may need to be checked.
What drivers need to carry during journeys
The driver will need to carry these documents for all of the outward and return journey:- the ECMT permit
- the ECMT permit log book (plus the issued translation sheets)
- the ECMT certificate of compliance for the vehicle and trailer (plus the issued translation sheets)
- a certificate of roadworthiness for the vehicle and trailer (plus the issued translation sheets)
The driver must show the documents at checkpoints when asked.
Find out how different countries carry out checks.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
It’s illegal to not have the right documents for the journey. Your driver can be fined for not carrying them.
Send journey records to DVSA
If you have an annual ECMT permit, you must send the original (top sheet) for each completed page of the ECMT log book to DVSA within 2 weeks of your return to the UK.You must send the complete ECMT log book to DVSA within 2 weeks of the permit’s expiry date.
International Road Haulage Permits Office
DVSA
Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NFLost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
You should also tell the police if a permit is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
Send your ECMT permits and log books to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Content category
Source URL
/content/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits
Links
ECMT international removal permits
Permits for companies moving household goods and business possessions between or across the 43 ECMT countries
You can apply for a permit for laden or empty journeys if you’re a specialist removal company and you move household goods and business possessions between or across European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) countries.
There are no limits on the number of available permits.
Eligibility
You must:
- have a standard international operator licence for Great Britain or a standard international operator licence for Northern Ireland
- use specialised equipment and staff for removal operations
What you need ECMT permits for
You need an ECMT permit to transport most types of goods (or drive an empty vehicle) through the EU (except Cyprus), Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to these 13 countries:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Cyprus is not part of the ECMT scheme. You cannot use an ECMT permit to transport goods through Cyprus to ECMT countries.
Apply for permits
Apply for a permit at least 5 working days before you start your removal journey from the UK.
To apply, you need:
- your username and password to manage your vehicle operator licence
- a debit or credit card to pay the application fee
When you sign in, select the Permits tab to apply.
Fees
Each permit costs £18 and lasts for one year.
You can only use a permit for one vehicle at a time.
Rules for using the permits
You must only use the permit for moving and removing household goods and business possessions.
You can only use the permit in one vehicle at a time.
You cannot use the permit for cabotage (journeys entirely within one other EU member state)
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry the permit in your vehicle for the whole of the outward and return journey. This includes an unladen journey before or after a laden one.You must show the permit to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return your permits to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
ActionsContent category
Source URL
/content/ecmt-international-removal-permits
Links
Own Account traffic - road haulage exemption
Carrying goods for your own business or not for hire and reward (‘own account’) on international journeys.
‘Own account’ is where either:
- your vehicle is only carrying goods in connection with your own business
- your delivery contents are not for hire or reward
Own account journeys in the EU
You do not need a UK Licence for the Community for own account journeys between the United Kingdom and the European Union if the following conditions apply:
- the goods you’re carrying are your property, or have been sold, bought, let out on hire or hired, produced, extracted, processed or repaired by you
- the journey’s purpose is to carry the goods to or from your premises or to move them for your own requirements
- you employ the drivers, or they’re put at your disposal for your own requirements
- you either own the vehicles carrying the goods, have bought them on deferred terms, or have hired them
- transporting the goods is only to support your main business activity - transporting goods cannot be your main business activity
Own-account operators who are carrying goods for a commercial purpose will still be subject to cabotage and cross-trade rules when operating in the EU.
Extra documents for Cyprus or Hungary
For own account journeys between the UK and Cyprus or Hungary, you must carry documents in the vehicle that show:
- the name and address of the operator
- the operator’s trade or business
- the nature of the goods being carried
- loading and unloading points
- registration number of the vehicle being used
- the route the haulage takes
You may be asked to provide evidence of the ownership of the goods.
Own account journeys in non-EU countries
You must have a bilateral international road haulage permit for own account journeys to some non-EU countries the UK has agreements with - check which non-EU countries you need the permit for.
Content category
Source URL
/content/own-account-traffic-road-haulage-exemption
Links
Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Posting declarations when your drivers transport goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Last updated 13 January 2023
As a United Kingdom operator, before your drivers transport goods between two points in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes, you must declare the details on an EU portal.
Declaring the details is known as making a posting declaration.
There are no fees to make a posting declaration.
If you’re an EU operator, you must follow the same rules if you transport goods between two points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the UK for commercial purposes. You must also follow UK drivers’ hours rules and UK minimum wage rules when doing these jobs in the UK.
Types of journeys you must declare
You must declare:
- cabotage jobs (loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them at another point in the same country using a UK-registered vehicle)
- cross-trade jobs (loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them in another of these countries using a UK-registered vehicle)
- moving goods for your own business’ use inside these countries, including if your business is not mainly about moving goods
Find out how many cabotage and cross-trade jobs you’re allowed to do.
You must make a declaration when you use any of these vehicles to transport the goods:
- heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
- HGVs towing trailers
- vans of any size or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
- vans towing trailers
- cars towing trailers
Journeys inside Ireland
You need to declare journeys inside Ireland if they’re covered by the rules. This includes if you’re a Northern Ireland vehicle operator.
What you do not need to declare
You do not need to declare when your drivers are using an empty vehicle.
You also do not need to declare when your driver is transporting goods:
- from the UK to one place in Europe, where you can both unload and load goods
- from the UK to Europe, and you unload goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot load goods in Europe)
- from Europe to the UK, and you load goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot unload goods in Europe)
- from the UK to a non-European country (but you cannot load or unload the goods while you’re in Europe)
Create an account on the EU portal
You need to create an account for your company on the EU portal before you can declare a journey.
When you’ve created your company account, you can invite other people from your company to have access.
To create an account, you need information about your:
- company
- transport manager
- drivers
Company information
To create your account, you need your company’s:
- name
- address
- country of registration
- email address
- VAT number
- registration number
- UK Licence for the Community number
Transport manager information
To create your account, you need your transport manager’s:
- name
- office address
- email address
- telephone number
- CPC certificate number
Driver information
To create your account, you need this information for each of your drivers who drive in Europe:
- full name
- date of birth
- email address
- home address
- driving licence number
- driver card number
- internal reference number (for example, their employee number)
- ID document (for example, a passport) - you’ll need the document number, the issue date, the expiry date, and which country issued it
- start date of the drivers’ employment contract with you
- applicable law (which country’s law they’re employed under)
If you have lots of drivers, you can upload their details in a spreadsheet. When you’ve signed in, select the Driver menu, and then Upload driver(s). You can then download a spreadsheet template to use and upload.
If you get an ‘Access Denied’ error message
You might get an ‘Access Denied’ error message at times. This can happen if you:
- select ‘Go to my account’ but have not registered on the portal - you need to create a company account or be invited to join one
- were in the process of creating a new company account - select ‘Reload application’ and then ‘Create account’ - the company creation process will then resume
- have been invited by email and signed in with an EU login account - you need to restart the invitation process from the link you were sent in the invitation email - the registration process will then resume
Declare your journeys (make a posting declaration)
You must make a separate posting declaration for each country each driver will transport goods in.
You can choose to either:
- make a posting declaration for each individual journey a driver makes in each country
- make a posting declaration of up to 6 months for a driver to cover all journeys they’ll make in each country during that time
When you’ve made a posting declaration for one country, you can copy that declaration and change the country (if all the other information is the same).
You need:
- the start and end dates of the posting (this can be up to 6 months long)
- the type of operation - you can select cabotage, international carriage (cross-trade) or both (select both if there’s a chance of short notice cabotage jobs - it does not matter if you actually do not end up doing any)
- the vehicle registration (number plates) of the vehicles you’re using (you can add more than one if your driver will be driving multiple vehicles)
- contact details for your transport manager or another contact person in the UK (so European countries can ask for further documents)
You will get penalties if you do not make a declaration.
Documents your driver needs to carry
Your driver must carry a digital or physical copy of the information you declare for the journey.
Your driver will get penalties from the enforcement authorities in the European countries they’re stopped in if they do not have a copy.
Your driver also still needs all of the usual:
- vehicle and trailer documents
- driver documents - including tachograph records
- export documents - including an electronic consignment note (e-CMR) or a paper CMR
Respond to requests from other countries for copies of documents
Enforcement authorities in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway can ask you (as the operator) for:
- copies of the documents that drivers have to carry
- documents about the driver’s pay during the journey, their employment contract and timesheets for their work
You must upload the information you’re asked to the EU portal within 8 weeks of being asked for it.
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain or the Transport Regulation Unit in Northern Ireland will be able to take action against you if you do not upload the information.
More information
Check the EU postings portal help section for more information.
Also on this sitePrimary parentContent category
Source URL
/content/declare-youre-transporting-goods-inside-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-and-norway
Links
Transport goods in and out of the UK using vans or car and trailers
New rules for transporting goods to or through Europe using cars and trailers, vans and HGVs from 2022 onwards
Since 21 May 2022, anyone operating a light goods vehicle and/or trailer between 2.5 and 3.5 tons in a European Union member state is required to have a goods vehicle operator’s licence.
This only applies to anyone operating a light goods vehicle for hire or reward. This means that goods, not owned by the operator, are being transported for payment.
The new rules will also apply to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The Department for Infrastructure is working to change the law to enable goods vehicle licences to be issued to anyone affected by these new rules.
What to do if you think you may be affected
Check that your business comes within the scope of the changes.
You will only be in-scope if you carry goods for other people in another EU member state (including the Republic of Ireland); and use vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons maximum gross vehicle weight which are:
- vans or other light goods vehicles (LGVs; sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
- vans towing trailers
- cars towing trailers
If you are in-scope, you will need to either:
- add the relevant LGVs to your goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)
- get a goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
What to do if you need a new operator’s licence
There are a number of requirements which you must meet before you can apply for a goods vehicle operator’s licence. You must be prepared to agree to a number of undertakings to make arrangements for proper loading of vehicles, maintenance of records, etc.
Professional Competence
You’ll need to prove that either you or your company have sufficient professional competence to run your operations safely and efficiently, particularly as regards:
- planning routes and scheduling delivery times
- managing your team of drivers and administration staff
- making sure drivers follow company and industry regulations
- arranging vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments
- organising vehicle replacements
Professional competence is assessed by means of a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). You may already have this qualification.
If not, you’ll be able to either:
- use an existing member of staff (including yourself) who is not qualified as a transport manager, but has managed fleets of vehicles for at least 10 years before 20 August 2020
- employ someone with a transport manager qualification -called a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- hire in an external qualified transport manager
Option 1: use someone who does not have a Transport Manager CPC – the ‘Acquired Rights’ scheme
If you decide to use someone who does not have a Transport Manager CPC, they will need to prove they have at least 10 years of experience managing fleets of vehicles before 20 August 2020.
They’ll be able to apply to have their experience recognised as ‘acquired rights’ to be a transport manager. This means that they’ll be treated as having the Transport Manager CPC for a period of time.
The government has proposed they will have acquired rights until 20 May 2025, but this could change. During this time, they’ll need to pass a Transport Manager CPC exam.
After they’ve qualified, they’ll need to keep up a high-quality professional knowledge of transport industry rules and policies. They can take transport manager refresher courses to help them do this.
Option 2: employ someone with a transport manager qualification
You can employ someone with a Transport Manager CPC qualification.
You need to make sure they keep up a high-quality professional knowledge of transport industry rules and policies.
Option 3: hire in an external transport manager
You can ‘hire in’ an external transport manager. They’re not someone on your payroll, but they have a contract with you to act as your transport manager. You must:
- have a contract with them that sets out the tasks they’ll perform as your transport manager
- make sure they only work for a maximum of 4 vehicle operators (including you), managing no more than 50 vehicles in total across all the operators
More information is available in the Driver Vehicle Agency's safe operator's guide.
Finance that you must have available
By law, you need to prove that you have access to a set amount of finance to run your business. The amount you need depends on how many vehicles you have.
You must have £1,600 available for the first vehicle in your fleet. You need an extra £800 per additional vehicle in your fleet.
Example
You have a fleet of 5 vans.
You need to have £1,600 for the first van.
You then need £800 each for the remaining 4 vans (£800 × 4 = £3,200).
You need to prove you have access to funds of at least £4,800 (£1,600 + £3,200).
If you are running a mixed fleet of HGVs and LGVs the calculation will take account of the LGV rate.
Establishment in Northern Ireland
If you’re applying for a goods vehicle operator’s licence for LGVs only, you don’t have to meet the same requirements for an operating centre as would be necessary for HGVs.
You will need to provide an address within the UK where the original records of the business will be kept. You may have to provide access to these records from time to time. The records may be maintained electronically.
If you already have a goods vehicle operator’s licence, then you will need to apply for a variation to that licence for any in-scope LGVs you wish to operate in the EU (including the Republic of Ireland).
Cost of a licence
There are fees for operators licences and variations to those licences. If you apply for a new licence, or a make a publishable change to an existing licence, you must pay a one-off £254 application fee.
If your licence application is successful, you will then have to pay a licensing fee of £449 which covers a period of five years. A fee of £449 is also payable at the end of the five year period if you wish to continue your existing licence.
Content category
Source URL
/content/transport-goods-and-out-uk-using-vans-or-car-and-trailers
Links
Transport goods in and out of the UK using vans or car and trailers
In this guide:
- International road haulage permits
- Standard International operator's licence for road haulage
- UK Licence for the Community
- Bilateral road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
- ECMT international road haulage permits
- ECMT international removal permits
- Own Account traffic - road haulage exemption
- Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
- Transport goods in and out of the UK using vans or car and trailers
Standard International operator's licence for road haulage
Guidelines on the requirement to hold a Standard International operator's licence and how to apply for one.
A standard international licence means you can carry your own goods, and other people’s goods, both in the United Kingdom and on international journeys.
After you get a standard international licence, you can also request the issue of a UK Licence for the Community. A UK Licence for the Community allows:
- trips between all European Union member countries
- transit traffic through EU member countries
- cabotage (a journey entirely within one EU country)
How to apply for a standard international licence
You can apply online on the nidirect website.
You can also find out more about licence fees, the standards of fitness and finances required, and how to make changes or renew a licence.
ActionsAlso on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/standard-international-operators-licence-road-haulage
Links
UK Licence for the Community
Licence needed to make international journeys for hire or reward within the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
You need an UK Licence for the Community if you make journeys for hire or reward within the EU, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The UK Licence for the Community has replaced the EU Community Licence.
It’s a single permit that covers trips between these countries. It also allows transit traffic through these countries to and from non-EU countries - but you need extra permits for the non-EU countries.
The UK Licence for the Community also allows you to carry out a limited number of haulage jobs inside an EU country (called ‘cabotage’) or between 2 EU countries (called ‘cross-trade’).
There are no limits on the number of available licences.
If you had an EU Community Licence before 2021
You should have received your replacement UK Licence for the Community by 31 December 2020 if you had an EU Community Licence.
Destroy your old EU Community Licence
You should destroy your old EU Community Licence.If your UK Licence for the Community has not arrived
Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) if your replacement licence has not arrived. You need to give your operator licence number.Eligibility
You must have a standard international vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or a standard international vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland to apply for a UK Licence for the Community.
Where you can use the licences
You can use UK Licences for the Community in the 27 EU countries and 4 other countries:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Apply for licences
Call DVSA get a licence. You need your vehicle operator licence number.
DVSA customer service centre
Tel: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pmUK Licences for the Community are valid until the 5-yearly renewal date of your operator’s licence.
Fees
There’s no fee for UK Licences for the Community if you have a standard international vehicle operator licence.
Rules for using the licences
You can only use licences that have been issued to you. You cannot transfer them to another operator or company.
The licence includes:
- an office copy - you must keep this at your main office so that it can be inspected by enforcement agencies
- certified copies - you can get a certified copy for each of the vehicles authorised by your standard international vehicle operator licence
Certified copies of the licences are not specific to any one vehicle.
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry a certified copy of your UK Licence for the Community in your vehicle when transporting goods in or through EU countries.You must also carry a certified copy if you’re transporting goods using another type of permit.
The driver must show it to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Important: It’s illegal to not carry the certified copy or show it to enforcement officers when asked to.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen licences
You must tell DVSA if your documents are lost, damaged or stolen.
DVSA customer service centre
Tel: 0300 123 9000
Monday to Friday, 7:30am to 6pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return the office copy and certified copies to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Also on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/uk-licence-community
Links
Bilateral road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
Permits to travel to or through Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Serbia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine
You can apply for permits for 8 non-EU countries that the UK has agreements with to transport goods to or through those countries. These countries are:
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Each country has single-journey permits. Whether or not you need a permit depends on:
- the size of the vehicle
- the nature of the goods being carried
You need a permit in some of the 8 countries if your vehicle is just carrying goods in connection with your own business, and not for hire or reward (sometimes called ‘own account traffic’).
Special permits for Morocco
There are also 2 extra types of permits for Morocco to:- enter Morocco with an empty vehicle
- take in filming equipment and material for film or TV products, or equipment for exhibitions (including racing)
Eligibility
You must have the right type of vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland for the goods you’re transporting to apply for a permit.
Where you can use the permits
You can use the permits to travel to or through:
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Morocco
- Russia
- Tunisia
- Turkey (you only need a permit when you’re continuing on to another third-country)
- Ukraine (you only need a permit if you have a Euro III or Euro IV vehicle)
You also need a permit for ‘own account’ journeys to:
- Belarus
- Morocco
- Russia
- Tunisia
- Turkey
Single-journey permits are valid for one complete journey. The outward and return trips count as one complete journey.
Multiple-journey permits are available for Morocco which authorises 15 return trips during the validity of the permit.
Apply for permits
Download and fill in the application form.
Send it to DVSA at least 5 working days before you start your journey from the UK.
Include a cheque or postal order to pay the fee. If you want to pay by debit or credit card, DVSA will contact you to take the payment when your application arrives.
International Road Haulage Permits Office
DVSA
Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NFApply for road haulage permits for some non-EU countries
(PDF, 143KB).Fees
Country Permit type Cost Belarus Single-journey permit £8 Georgia Single-journey permit £8 Kazakhstan Single-journey permit Free Morocco Single-journey permit £8 Morocco Multiple-journey permit (15 return journeys) £50 Morocco Empty entry £8 Morocco Hors contingent (film and TV equipment, or exhibition equipment) £8 Russia Single-journey permit £8 Tunisia Single-journey permit £8 Turkey Single-journey permit £8 Ukraine Single-journey permit £8
Rules for using the permits
You can only use the permit in one vehicle at a time.
You must return all special entry permits for Morocco within 15 days of them expiring - whether you’ve used them or not.
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry the permit in your vehicle for the whole of the outward and return journey.You need to show the permit at the border, and you’ll be allowed to pass into or through that country.
You must show the permit to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Depending on the terms of the bilateral agreement, you may still have to pay certain local taxes.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return unused permits to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Get help with bilateral international road haulage permits
Contact the DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office to get help with bilateral permits.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmContent category
Source URL
/content/bilateral-road-haulage-permits-some-non-eu-countries
Links
ECMT international road haulage permits
Permits you'll need to drive goods vehicles to or through ECMT member countries and the rules you have to follow
Last updated: 31 December 2021
ECMT permits allow you to transport most types of goods (or drive an empty vehicle) through ECMT member countries.
You need to follow rules about using your ECMT permits, including your drivers carrying the right documents.
Check if you need ECMT permits
You can use ECMT international road haulage permits for journeys between 43 ECMT member countries:
Albania, Armenia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, North Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and the UK.
A limited number of ECMT permits are available. However, you can usually make journeys to 41 of these 43 countries without an ECMT permit.
EU countries, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
You only need your UK Licence for the Community if your journey is between the UK and an EU country, Liechtenstein, Norway or Switzerland.You do not need an ECMT permit.
Cross-trade jobs in the EU
You can use your UK Licence for the Community to carry out 2 cross-trade jobs (moving goods between 2 countries) in the EU.You need an ECMT permit if you want to carry out a third cross-trade job. The ECMT permit will let you carry out 3 cross-trade jobs between any ECMT country.
Cross-trade jobs between EU and non-EU countries
You need an ECMT permit if you want to carry out a cross-trade job between the EU and a non-EU country. The non-EU country must be an ECMT member country.Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine
You do not usually need any permits to transport goods to, through or from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.However, you need to get a bilateral road haulage permit if you’re travelling:
- through Turkey to another country
- in Ukraine using a Euro III or Euro IV vehicle
Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia or Tunisia
You can get bilateral road haulage permits instead of ECMT permits if your journey involves Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Russia or Tunisia.Unlike ECMT permits, many more of these permits are available.
Armenia or Azerbaijan
You must have an ECMT permit to transport goods to, through or from Armenia or Azerbaijan.If your journey also includes any other ECMT countries, you should:
- use your ECMT permit for the journey
- not apply for separate bilateral permits - you cannot use a bilateral road haulage permit at the same time as an ECMT permit
What you cannot use ECMT permits for
You cannot use ECMT permits:- to travel through ECMT countries to countries that are not in the scheme
- for cabotage (loading and unloading goods for hire or reward between 2 points in a country by a vehicle that’s not registered in that country)
Cyprus is not part of the ECMT scheme. You cannot use an ECMT permit to transport goods through Cyprus to ECMT countries.
Eligibility
To apply for an ECMT permit, you must:
- have a vehicle operator licence for Great Britain or a vehicle operator licence for Northern Ireland
- have Euro VI or Euro V emissions standard vehicles (depending on the type of permit you’re applying for)
Apply for permits
You can apply for:
- short-term permits for 30 days
- annual permits valid until 31 December 2022
Email the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) International Road Haulage Permits Office to apply.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.ukYou need to include:
- your operator licence number
- the date of your first journey
- the type of journey (third cross-trade, cross-trade from an EU country to a non-EU country, or travel to a non-EU ECMT country)
- the journey destination, including your loading and unloading points
- which countries you’ll go through to reach your destination
- how many permits you need
- which type of vehicle you’ll use (Euro V or Euro VI)
What happens next
You might be asked to send proof that you’ll be travelling to your destination in 2022 (for example, a contract to import and export, or evidence of recent or regular journey to the country).
You’ll then need to pay the application fee and pay for your permits.
-
Pay the non-refundable £10 application fee for each permit when DVSA requests it.
-
Email DVSA to confirm you’ve paid the application fee.
-
Pay the permit fee when DVSA requests it. It costs £10 per short-term permit and £123 per annual permit.
-
Email DVSA to confirm you have paid the permit fee.
-
DVSA will post your permits to you.
Rules for using the permits
You must carry your UK Licence for the Community during any journeys to or through EU countries when you’re using an ECMT permit.
You can use an ECMT permit to make an unlimited number of journeys within:
- a calendar year, if you have an annual permit
- 30 days of the start date on the permit, if you have a short-term permit
You have to return to the UK after every third journey.
You can only use your original permit. You cannot:
- make copies of it
- transfer it to other vehicle operators or businesses
- use it in more than one vehicle at a time
Do not laminate the permit, as it may be stamped at checkpoints.
Example
If you have 10 ECMT permits, you can have a maximum of 10 vehicles making journeys to or through ECMT countries at once.When a vehicle returns to the UK, you can use the same permit to make another journey during the period it is valid for, or you can move the permit to another vehicle on your operator licences. That vehicle can then make journeys to or through ECMT countries.
If you have more than one vehicle operator licence
You can use an ECMT permit for a vehicle assigned to any of your operator licences. It’s not allocated to a specific operator licence.You’re not allowed to transfer a permit to another business entity, for example, a sister company.
Rules for the vehicles and trailers
You cannot use ECMT permits you’re allocated:- for unaccompanied trailers or semi-trailers
- with vehicles of a lower Euro emissions class to that shown on the permit (for example, you cannot use a Euro VI permit in a Euro V vehicle, but you can use a Euro V permit in a Euro VI vehicle)
Get an ECMT ‘certificate of compliance’ for vehicles and trailers
You must carry an ECMT ‘certificate of compliance’ in your vehicle and trailer. They must confirm the vehicle meets the correct Euro emissions standard and the trailer meets the technical safety requirements.If your permit application is successful, request a certificate from your vehicle or trailer manufacturer, or email DVSA for advice.
Get an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for vehicles and trailers
You must carry an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for your vehicle and trailer.If your permit application is successful and you do not already have a certificate, apply online to get one.
Apply for an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness.
Before you start
To apply for an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness, you need:- your username and password if you’ve used the service to manage your vehicle operator licence before (you can register in the service if you’ve not used it before)
- the vehicle registration number (number plate)
- the trailer registration number or ID number from DVLA (if you’re applying for a trailer)
- the vehicle or trailer type and make
- the certificate of compliance number (leave this blank if you do not have the number)
- vehicle identification number (VIN)
- engine type and number
Meet the ECMT Quality Charter
You must meet the ECMT Quality Charter requirements.If you have a standard international operator licence
You already meet the requirements of the charter if you have a standard international operator licenceIf you have a restricted or standard national operator licence
If you have a restricted or standard national operator licence you need to:- have a transport manager
- give proof you have the higher levels of financial standing needed for a standard international licence
You can also apply for a standard international licence to show you meet the ECMT Quality Charter.
Fill in the ECMT log book before a journey
Each ECMT permit comes with a log book.Before you start a journey, fill in the permit’s log book (in pen, not pencil) with a full record of all the journey’s details.
If you make a mistake, cross it out. Make sure the mistake is still readable, as it may need to be checked.
What drivers need to carry during journeys
The driver will need to carry these documents for all of the outward and return journey:- the ECMT permit
- the ECMT permit log book (plus the issued translation sheets)
- the ECMT certificate of compliance for the vehicle and trailer (plus the issued translation sheets)
- a certificate of roadworthiness for the vehicle and trailer (plus the issued translation sheets)
The driver must show the documents at checkpoints when asked.
Find out how different countries carry out checks.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
It’s illegal to not have the right documents for the journey. Your driver can be fined for not carrying them.
Send journey records to DVSA
If you have an annual ECMT permit, you must send the original (top sheet) for each completed page of the ECMT log book to DVSA within 2 weeks of your return to the UK.You must send the complete ECMT log book to DVSA within 2 weeks of the permit’s expiry date.
International Road Haulage Permits Office
DVSA
Hillcrest House
386 Harehills Lane
Leeds
LS9 6NFLost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
You should also tell the police if a permit is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Telephone: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
Send your ECMT permits and log books to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
Content category
Source URL
/content/ecmt-international-road-haulage-permits
Links
ECMT international removal permits
Permits for companies moving household goods and business possessions between or across the 43 ECMT countries
You can apply for a permit for laden or empty journeys if you’re a specialist removal company and you move household goods and business possessions between or across European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) countries.
There are no limits on the number of available permits.
Eligibility
You must:
- have a standard international operator licence for Great Britain or a standard international operator licence for Northern Ireland
- use specialised equipment and staff for removal operations
What you need ECMT permits for
You need an ECMT permit to transport most types of goods (or drive an empty vehicle) through the EU (except Cyprus), Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland to these 13 countries:
Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine.
Cyprus is not part of the ECMT scheme. You cannot use an ECMT permit to transport goods through Cyprus to ECMT countries.
Apply for permits
Apply for a permit at least 5 working days before you start your removal journey from the UK.
To apply, you need:
- your username and password to manage your vehicle operator licence
- a debit or credit card to pay the application fee
When you sign in, select the Permits tab to apply.
Fees
Each permit costs £18 and lasts for one year.
You can only use a permit for one vehicle at a time.
Rules for using the permits
You must only use the permit for moving and removing household goods and business possessions.
You can only use the permit in one vehicle at a time.
You cannot use the permit for cabotage (journeys entirely within one other EU member state)
What to do when you make journeys
You must carry the permit in your vehicle for the whole of the outward and return journey. This includes an unladen journey before or after a laden one.You must show the permit to any enforcement officer when asked to.
Check what other vehicle documents and driver documents the driver needs to carry on international journeys.
Lost, damaged or stolen permits
Contact DVSA straight away if you lose or damage a permit, or if one is stolen.
DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office
irhp@dvsa.gov.uk
Tel: 0330 678 1117
Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pmIf you give up your operator licence
You need to return your permits to DVSA if you apply to give up (‘surrender’) your vehicle operator licence.
ActionsContent category
Source URL
/content/ecmt-international-removal-permits
Links
Own Account traffic - road haulage exemption
Carrying goods for your own business or not for hire and reward (‘own account’) on international journeys.
‘Own account’ is where either:
- your vehicle is only carrying goods in connection with your own business
- your delivery contents are not for hire or reward
Own account journeys in the EU
You do not need a UK Licence for the Community for own account journeys between the United Kingdom and the European Union if the following conditions apply:
- the goods you’re carrying are your property, or have been sold, bought, let out on hire or hired, produced, extracted, processed or repaired by you
- the journey’s purpose is to carry the goods to or from your premises or to move them for your own requirements
- you employ the drivers, or they’re put at your disposal for your own requirements
- you either own the vehicles carrying the goods, have bought them on deferred terms, or have hired them
- transporting the goods is only to support your main business activity - transporting goods cannot be your main business activity
Own-account operators who are carrying goods for a commercial purpose will still be subject to cabotage and cross-trade rules when operating in the EU.
Extra documents for Cyprus or Hungary
For own account journeys between the UK and Cyprus or Hungary, you must carry documents in the vehicle that show:
- the name and address of the operator
- the operator’s trade or business
- the nature of the goods being carried
- loading and unloading points
- registration number of the vehicle being used
- the route the haulage takes
You may be asked to provide evidence of the ownership of the goods.
Own account journeys in non-EU countries
You must have a bilateral international road haulage permit for own account journeys to some non-EU countries the UK has agreements with - check which non-EU countries you need the permit for.
Content category
Source URL
/content/own-account-traffic-road-haulage-exemption
Links
Declare you’re transporting goods inside the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Posting declarations when your drivers transport goods between 2 points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway
Last updated 13 January 2023
As a United Kingdom operator, before your drivers transport goods between two points in the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway for commercial purposes, you must declare the details on an EU portal.
Declaring the details is known as making a posting declaration.
There are no fees to make a posting declaration.
If you’re an EU operator, you must follow the same rules if you transport goods between two points in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and the UK for commercial purposes. You must also follow UK drivers’ hours rules and UK minimum wage rules when doing these jobs in the UK.
Types of journeys you must declare
You must declare:
- cabotage jobs (loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them at another point in the same country using a UK-registered vehicle)
- cross-trade jobs (loading goods in one of these countries and unloading them in another of these countries using a UK-registered vehicle)
- moving goods for your own business’ use inside these countries, including if your business is not mainly about moving goods
Find out how many cabotage and cross-trade jobs you’re allowed to do.
You must make a declaration when you use any of these vehicles to transport the goods:
- heavy goods vehicles (HGVs)
- HGVs towing trailers
- vans of any size or other light goods vehicles (sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
- vans towing trailers
- cars towing trailers
Journeys inside Ireland
You need to declare journeys inside Ireland if they’re covered by the rules. This includes if you’re a Northern Ireland vehicle operator.
What you do not need to declare
You do not need to declare when your drivers are using an empty vehicle.
You also do not need to declare when your driver is transporting goods:
- from the UK to one place in Europe, where you can both unload and load goods
- from the UK to Europe, and you unload goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot load goods in Europe)
- from Europe to the UK, and you load goods at more than one place in Europe (but you cannot unload goods in Europe)
- from the UK to a non-European country (but you cannot load or unload the goods while you’re in Europe)
Create an account on the EU portal
You need to create an account for your company on the EU portal before you can declare a journey.
When you’ve created your company account, you can invite other people from your company to have access.
To create an account, you need information about your:
- company
- transport manager
- drivers
Company information
To create your account, you need your company’s:
- name
- address
- country of registration
- email address
- VAT number
- registration number
- UK Licence for the Community number
Transport manager information
To create your account, you need your transport manager’s:
- name
- office address
- email address
- telephone number
- CPC certificate number
Driver information
To create your account, you need this information for each of your drivers who drive in Europe:
- full name
- date of birth
- email address
- home address
- driving licence number
- driver card number
- internal reference number (for example, their employee number)
- ID document (for example, a passport) - you’ll need the document number, the issue date, the expiry date, and which country issued it
- start date of the drivers’ employment contract with you
- applicable law (which country’s law they’re employed under)
If you have lots of drivers, you can upload their details in a spreadsheet. When you’ve signed in, select the Driver menu, and then Upload driver(s). You can then download a spreadsheet template to use and upload.
If you get an ‘Access Denied’ error message
You might get an ‘Access Denied’ error message at times. This can happen if you:
- select ‘Go to my account’ but have not registered on the portal - you need to create a company account or be invited to join one
- were in the process of creating a new company account - select ‘Reload application’ and then ‘Create account’ - the company creation process will then resume
- have been invited by email and signed in with an EU login account - you need to restart the invitation process from the link you were sent in the invitation email - the registration process will then resume
Declare your journeys (make a posting declaration)
You must make a separate posting declaration for each country each driver will transport goods in.
You can choose to either:
- make a posting declaration for each individual journey a driver makes in each country
- make a posting declaration of up to 6 months for a driver to cover all journeys they’ll make in each country during that time
When you’ve made a posting declaration for one country, you can copy that declaration and change the country (if all the other information is the same).
You need:
- the start and end dates of the posting (this can be up to 6 months long)
- the type of operation - you can select cabotage, international carriage (cross-trade) or both (select both if there’s a chance of short notice cabotage jobs - it does not matter if you actually do not end up doing any)
- the vehicle registration (number plates) of the vehicles you’re using (you can add more than one if your driver will be driving multiple vehicles)
- contact details for your transport manager or another contact person in the UK (so European countries can ask for further documents)
You will get penalties if you do not make a declaration.
Documents your driver needs to carry
Your driver must carry a digital or physical copy of the information you declare for the journey.
Your driver will get penalties from the enforcement authorities in the European countries they’re stopped in if they do not have a copy.
Your driver also still needs all of the usual:
- vehicle and trailer documents
- driver documents - including tachograph records
- export documents - including an electronic consignment note (e-CMR) or a paper CMR
Respond to requests from other countries for copies of documents
Enforcement authorities in EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway can ask you (as the operator) for:
- copies of the documents that drivers have to carry
- documents about the driver’s pay during the journey, their employment contract and timesheets for their work
You must upload the information you’re asked to the EU portal within 8 weeks of being asked for it.
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain or the Transport Regulation Unit in Northern Ireland will be able to take action against you if you do not upload the information.
More information
Check the EU postings portal help section for more information.
Also on this sitePrimary parentContent category
Source URL
/content/declare-youre-transporting-goods-inside-eu-iceland-liechtenstein-and-norway
Links
Transport goods in and out of the UK using vans or car and trailers
New rules for transporting goods to or through Europe using cars and trailers, vans and HGVs from 2022 onwards
Since 21 May 2022, anyone operating a light goods vehicle and/or trailer between 2.5 and 3.5 tons in a European Union member state is required to have a goods vehicle operator’s licence.
This only applies to anyone operating a light goods vehicle for hire or reward. This means that goods, not owned by the operator, are being transported for payment.
The new rules will also apply to Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
The Department for Infrastructure is working to change the law to enable goods vehicle licences to be issued to anyone affected by these new rules.
What to do if you think you may be affected
Check that your business comes within the scope of the changes.
You will only be in-scope if you carry goods for other people in another EU member state (including the Republic of Ireland); and use vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tons maximum gross vehicle weight which are:
- vans or other light goods vehicles (LGVs; sometimes called ‘light commercial vehicles’)
- vans towing trailers
- cars towing trailers
If you are in-scope, you will need to either:
- add the relevant LGVs to your goods vehicle operator licence (if you already have one)
- get a goods vehicle operator licence for the first time
What to do if you need a new operator’s licence
There are a number of requirements which you must meet before you can apply for a goods vehicle operator’s licence. You must be prepared to agree to a number of undertakings to make arrangements for proper loading of vehicles, maintenance of records, etc.
Professional Competence
You’ll need to prove that either you or your company have sufficient professional competence to run your operations safely and efficiently, particularly as regards:
- planning routes and scheduling delivery times
- managing your team of drivers and administration staff
- making sure drivers follow company and industry regulations
- arranging vehicle maintenance, MOTs and tax payments
- organising vehicle replacements
Professional competence is assessed by means of a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). You may already have this qualification.
If not, you’ll be able to either:
- use an existing member of staff (including yourself) who is not qualified as a transport manager, but has managed fleets of vehicles for at least 10 years before 20 August 2020
- employ someone with a transport manager qualification -called a Transport Manager Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC)
- hire in an external qualified transport manager
Option 1: use someone who does not have a Transport Manager CPC – the ‘Acquired Rights’ scheme
If you decide to use someone who does not have a Transport Manager CPC, they will need to prove they have at least 10 years of experience managing fleets of vehicles before 20 August 2020.
They’ll be able to apply to have their experience recognised as ‘acquired rights’ to be a transport manager. This means that they’ll be treated as having the Transport Manager CPC for a period of time.
The government has proposed they will have acquired rights until 20 May 2025, but this could change. During this time, they’ll need to pass a Transport Manager CPC exam.
After they’ve qualified, they’ll need to keep up a high-quality professional knowledge of transport industry rules and policies. They can take transport manager refresher courses to help them do this.
Option 2: employ someone with a transport manager qualification
You can employ someone with a Transport Manager CPC qualification.
You need to make sure they keep up a high-quality professional knowledge of transport industry rules and policies.
Option 3: hire in an external transport manager
You can ‘hire in’ an external transport manager. They’re not someone on your payroll, but they have a contract with you to act as your transport manager. You must:
- have a contract with them that sets out the tasks they’ll perform as your transport manager
- make sure they only work for a maximum of 4 vehicle operators (including you), managing no more than 50 vehicles in total across all the operators
More information is available in the Driver Vehicle Agency's safe operator's guide.
Finance that you must have available
By law, you need to prove that you have access to a set amount of finance to run your business. The amount you need depends on how many vehicles you have.
You must have £1,600 available for the first vehicle in your fleet. You need an extra £800 per additional vehicle in your fleet.
Example
You have a fleet of 5 vans.
You need to have £1,600 for the first van.
You then need £800 each for the remaining 4 vans (£800 × 4 = £3,200).
You need to prove you have access to funds of at least £4,800 (£1,600 + £3,200).
If you are running a mixed fleet of HGVs and LGVs the calculation will take account of the LGV rate.
Establishment in Northern Ireland
If you’re applying for a goods vehicle operator’s licence for LGVs only, you don’t have to meet the same requirements for an operating centre as would be necessary for HGVs.
You will need to provide an address within the UK where the original records of the business will be kept. You may have to provide access to these records from time to time. The records may be maintained electronically.
If you already have a goods vehicle operator’s licence, then you will need to apply for a variation to that licence for any in-scope LGVs you wish to operate in the EU (including the Republic of Ireland).
Cost of a licence
There are fees for operators licences and variations to those licences. If you apply for a new licence, or a make a publishable change to an existing licence, you must pay a one-off £254 application fee.
If your licence application is successful, you will then have to pay a licensing fee of £449 which covers a period of five years. A fee of £449 is also payable at the end of the five year period if you wish to continue your existing licence.
Content category
Source URL
/content/transport-goods-and-out-uk-using-vans-or-car-and-trailers
Links
Insurance, tax and vehicle security documents
Certificates, licences and permits for HGVs and trailer
Essential documentation about your HGV and trailer to carry when you drive a commercial vehicle carrying goods abroad.
There is some essential documentation which you need to carry about your HGV and trailer if you drive a commercial vehicle carrying goods abroad.
Vehicle and trailer registration documents
You need to carry your vehicle registration documents when driving abroad for less than 12 months.
This can be either:
- the vehicle log book (V5C), if you have one
- a VE103 to show you’re allowed to use a hired or leased vehicle abroad
There are different rules if you take the vehicle out of the UK for 12 months or more.
Trailer registration certificate
You need to carry the trailer registration certificate when you travel abroad.
Find out how to register your trailer to take it abroad.
If you have an abnormal load trailer
You also need to carry a ‘certificate of keeper’ if you have an abnormal load trailer.
Certificates for specialist vehicle approvals
You need to carry any documents about specialist approvals your vehicle has. These might include approvals for:
- carrying dangerous goods
- transporting perishable food
- sealed load compartments for quicker border crossings under the TIR (Transports Internationaux Routiers) system
Goods vehicle operator licence disc
You must display a valid operator licence disc for either:
- a standard international operator licence for Great Britain
- a standard international operator licence for Northern Ireland
Haulage licences or permits needed for the journey
You need to carry copies of the licences or permits that are needed for the journey you’re making.
Check which international road haulage permits you need to carry.
If you’re carrying out a job within an EU country (cabotage)
You need to carry extra documents about the load you’re carrying if you’re doing a cabotage job.If you’re using an ECMT permit
If you’re using a European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) permit, you also need to carry:
- an ECMT certificate of compliance for the vehicle and trailer
- an ECMT certificate of roadworthiness
Also on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/certificates-licences-and-permits-hgvs-and-trailer
Links
Insurance, tax and vehicle security documents
Documents on vehicle and goods insurance, and various tolls, taxes, charges and permissions you need to carry abroad.
There are various documents you need to bring about your vehicle, or pre-journey permissions obtained, when driving a commercial vehicle carrying goods between countries.
Vehicle insurance and green cards
You must have suitable motor insurance cover when you drive abroad.
In some countries, you will need to carry a ‘green card’ as proof of the insurance cover.
Where you need green cards
You need a green card to drive in:
Albania, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Iran, Israel, Moldova, Morocco, Russia, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.
You do not need a green card to drive in the European Union (including Ireland), Andorra, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Serbia or Switzerland.
When you need more than one green card
You will need to carry more than one green card if:
- you have fleet or multi-vehicle insurance - you’ll need a green card for each vehicle
- your vehicle is towing a trailer - you’ll need one for the towing vehicle and one for the trailer (you need separate trailer insurance in some countries)
- you have 2 policies covering the duration of your trip, for example, if your policy renews during the journey
You must carry a physical copy of your green card when driving abroad. Electronic versions of green cards are not acceptable.
Make sure your employer has got green cards
Make sure your employer either:
- contacts their vehicle insurance provider at least six weeks before you travel to get a copy
- prints green cards their insurance providers electronically send to them (this does not need to be printed on green paper)
When you will have to show your green cards
You will need to show green cards if you’re involved in an accident.Find out more about vehicle insurance.
If you’re involved in a road accident
Contact your insurance provider if you’re involved in a road accident in the EU.
Any legal proceedings against either the responsible driver or the insurance provider of the vehicle will need to be brought in the EU country, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Norway where the accident happened. You might have to make your claim in the local language.
You will not get compensation in some countries if the accident is caused by an uninsured driver or if the driver cannot be traced.
Get legal advice if you need more information about this.
Goods insurance
In some countries, you may need to produce a certificate of insurance for the goods carried to avoid paying a premium.
Check the rules with the British Embassy in the countries you’re travelling through or to.
UK stickers (previously a GB sticker)
You do not need a United Kingdom sticker if either:
- your number plate includes the UK identifier on its own or with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack)
- you're driving in Ireland
You will need to display a UK sticker clearly on the rear of your vehicle if your number plate has any of the following:
- a Great Britain identifier with the Union flag (also known as the Union Jack)
- a Euro symbol
- a national flag of England, Scotland or Wales
- numbers and letters only - no flag or identifier
If you’re in Spain, Cyprus or Malta, you must display a UK sticker no matter what is on your number plate.
If you have a GB sticker, cover or remove it.
Find more details on vehicle flags, symbols and identifiers.
Vehicle security checklist
You must secure your vehicle to stop people using it to enter the UK illegally.
Record the checks you do on the vehicle security checklist.
Vehicle tolls, charges or taxes
You may have to pay a:
- vehicle toll or charge in EU countries
- vehicle tax in some non-EU countries
Some non-EU countries have an agreement with the UK that means that registered goods vehicles are exempt from these taxes.
Countries currently charging visiting foreign goods vehicles to use their roads include:
Austria, Belarus, Bosnia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland Tunisia, Turkey and Ukraine.
Check locally for the latest, most up-to-date information about road charges and taxes.
You may need to carry paperwork, stickers, payment cards or electronic toll devices to use roads abroad.
Vehicle emission levels and controls
Many European towns and cities are Low Emission Zones (LEZ). This means that vehicles are not allowed in (or charged a fee) if their emissions are above a certain level.
Fuel duty and value added tax
When you buy motor fuel in the UK the price includes tax. When you take your vehicle abroad some countries may charge additional tax on the fuel in your tanks.
Taxes on UK fuel entering EU countries
There’s no limit on the amount of fuel that you can carry between EU countries in ‘standard tanks’, provided that it remains in these and is not off-loaded.
Some EU countries (including Belgium and France) interpret a ‘standard tank’ differently and say that supplementary tanks fall outside this category.
In these countries, for a tank to qualify as a ‘standard tank’, you must be able to show that:
- it’s of a type that was permanently fitted by the manufacturer to all motor vehicles of the same type as the vehicle in question
- its permanent fitting enables fuel to be used directly for propulsion or, where appropriate, by refrigeration or other systems
In Belgium and France, authorities might say that ‘catwalk tanks’ and ‘belly tanks’ do not meet these rules. You might be charged additional duty or fined when carrying fuel in these tanks.
Find information on the fuel you can legally use in a road vehicle.
Also on this siteContent category
Source URL
/content/insurance-tax-and-vehicle-security-documents
Links