International Road Haulage Permits and Cabotage

Since 1 January 2021, the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) governs how UK hauliers operate in the EU. The TCA replaced the Community Licence system with a UK Licence for the Community and introduced new limits on cabotage and cross-trade operations.

When this applies

These rules apply to you if:

• You operate goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes on international journeys
• You carry goods for hire or reward across international borders
• You carry your own goods internationally using a Standard International O-licence
• You carry out cabotage (domestic haulage within a foreign country) or cross-trade (haulage between two foreign countries)

You cannot operate internationally on a Standard National or Restricted operator licence. You must hold a Standard International licence.

Permit regimes for international haulage

The permit you need depends on where you are travelling:

• For EU member states, you need no additional permits under the TCA. Your UK Licence for the Community provides access for laden journeys to and from the EU.
• For non-EU countries with ECMT coverage, you need a European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) permit. These are allocated annually through a quota managed by the Department for Transport.
• For countries with bilateral agreements, you need a bilateral permit specific to that country. Apply through the Department for Transport permit system.

Cabotage and cross-trade rules

Cabotage means carrying goods within a single foreign country (for example, collecting in Paris and delivering in Lyon using a UK-registered vehicle). Cross-trade means carrying goods between two foreign countries (for example, France to Germany). Both are strictly limited under the TCA.

Understanding these limits is essential. Exceeding them is a serious offence that can result in vehicle detention, fines of several thousand euros, and reports to the UK Traffic Commissioner that could affect your operator licence.

Documentation checklist for international journeys

You must carry all of the following in the vehicle on every international journey:

1. a certified copy of your UK Licence for the Community, in the vehicle at all times
2. the operator licence disc, displayed in the windscreen
3. a valid UK or EU driving licence for the vehicle category
4. a valid Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) qualification card
5. the vehicle registration document (V5C), original or certified copy
6. tachograph records for the current day plus the previous 28 days
7. a CMR consignment note for each consignment (Convention on the Contract for the International Carriage of Goods by Road)
8. a motor insurance certificate, Green Card or equivalent proof of cover
9. ADR documentation (transport document and emergency instructions) if you carry dangerous goods

Missing any of these documents during a roadside check can result in immediate fines, vehicle detention, or prohibition from continuing the journey.

Carrying dangerous goods internationally

If you transport dangerous goods on international journeys, ADR (Accord Dangereux Routier) requirements apply in addition to permit and cabotage rules. Drivers must hold a valid ADR certificate, and vehicles must carry the correct orange plates, safety equipment, and documentation.

Common compliance mistakes

• Attempting international operations on a Standard National or Restricted licence. You must hold a Standard International licence.
• Entering the EU unladen and then attempting cabotage. You must have a qualifying laden international journey first.
• Carrying out cabotage or cross-trade more than 7 days after the last unloading of the international consignment.
• Not carrying CMR consignment notes that prove both the international journey and each cabotage or cross-trade operation.
• Ignoring host country rules. Local employment law, environmental regulations and vehicle rules apply during cabotage operations in the host country.

What to do next

• Confirm you hold a Standard International O-licence before planning international operations.
• If travelling to non-EU countries, apply for ECMT or bilateral permits through the Department for Transport permit system well in advance. ECMT permits are allocated annually and may be oversubscribed.
• Brief every driver on cabotage and cross-trade limits, the 7-day window, and the documents they must carry.
• Set up a process for issuing CMR notes and tracking cabotage and cross-trade operations on each trip.
• If you carry any dangerous goods, confirm driver ADR certification and vehicle equipment.