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Van drivers will be required to get new international operating licences if they want to travel back and forth to the EU from May next year, the government has announced.
The additional red tape will come into force next year alongside a series of further checks at Dover and other ports that were delayed three times in 2021 because of lack of preparation for Brexit in Great Britain.
According to updates on the gov.uk website, anyone driving a van, a light commercial vehicle or any car towing a trailer will be required to have a “goods vehicle operator licence” to enter the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland from May.
The licence will cost van drivers up to £1,100, a significant burden for solo operators, industry leaders said.
Drivers will have to fork out £257 in an application fee and a further £401 for the licence. Another £401 “continuation fee” will be payable every five years to retain the licence, according to gov.uk.
The rules will hit small traders such as couriers or importers of wine or vintage and antique goods, the Road Haulage Association said.