Guidance

ECMT international road haulage permits

Permits to travel to or through European Conference of Ministers of Transport (ECMT) member countries, and the rules you have to follow.

Published 26 November 2018

Last updated 222 JanuaryNovember 20212020 — see all updates
From:
Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency and Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain

New rules for January 2021

The UK has left the EU, and the transition period after Brexit comes to an end this year.

This page tells you what you'll need to do from 1 January 2021. It will be updated if anything changes.

Check what else you need to do during the transition period.

ECMT permits allow you to transport most types of goods (or drive an empty vehicle) through ECMT member countries.

You might need ECMT permits for journeys to or through the EU from 1 January 2021.

  1. Check if you need ECMT permits.

  2. Check if you’re eligible to apply.

  3. Apply for ECMT permits.

  4. If you get permits, get an ECMT ‘certificate of compliance’ for your vehicle or trailer from its manufacturer.

  5. Apply for an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for your vehicle or trailer.

You will need to follow rules about using your ECMT permits, including your drivers carrying the right documents.

Check if you need ECMT permits

You canneed usean ECMT internationalpermit roadto haulagetransport permitsmost fortypes journeysof betweengoods 43(or ECMTdrive memberan countries:

Albania,empty Armenia,vehicle) Austria,through Azerbaijan,the Belarus,EU Belgium,(except BosniaCyprus), andLiechtenstein, Herzegovina,Norway, Bulgaria,Switzerland Croatia,and Czechthe Republic,UK Denmark,to Estonia,these Finland,13 France,countries:

Albania, Georgia,Armenia, Germany,Azerbaijan, Greece,Belarus, Hungary,Bosnia Ireland,and Italy,Herzegovina, Latvia,Georgia, 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.Ukraine.

ACyprus limitedis numbernot part of the ECMT permitsscheme. areYou available.cannot However,use youan canECMT usuallypermit maketo journeystransport togoods 40through ofCyprus theseto 43ECMT countriescountries.

You withoutmight anneed ECMT permit.

permits for journeys to or through the EU countries,from Liechtenstein,1 NorwayJanuary and2021. Switzerland

You onlyshould needapply yourfor UKthese Licencein forcase thethey’re Communityneeded. ifThis yourpage journeywill isbe betweenupdated theif UKanything andchanges.

What anyou EUdo country,not Liechtenstein,need NorwayECMT orpermits Switzerland.

for

You do not need an ECMT permit.

Cross-tradepermits jobsfor journeys in 2020 entirely within the EU

, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK. You can still use your UKEU Community Licence for theinternational Communityroad tohaulage carryuntil out31 2December cross-trade2020.

You jobscan (movingtransport some types of goods betweenwithout 2ECMT countries)permits. inCheck pages 11 and 13 of the EUECMT. user guide for the list.

What you cannot use ECMT permits for

You needcannot anuse ECMT permitpermits:

  • to iftravel youthrough wantECMT countries to carrycountries outthat aare thirdnot cross-tradein job.the Thescheme
  • for ECMTcabotage permit(loading willand letunloading yougoods carryfor outhire 3or cross-tradereward jobs between any2 ECMTpoints country.

    Cross-tradein jobsa betweencountry EUby anda non-EUvehicle countries

    that’s not registered in that country)

Eligibility

YouTo needapply for an ECMT permitpermit, if you wantmust:

Apply Turkeyfor andpermits Ukraine

for 2020

You docan notbuy usually30-day needpermits anyif permitsyou plan to transporttravel goodsthrough to,the throughEU or(except fromCyprus), Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland in 2020 to one of these countries:

Albania, Moldova,Armenia, Montenegro,Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, North Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey andor Ukraine.

However,

How youto needbuy the permits

Email DVSA to getbuy athe bilateralpermits.

DVSA roadInternational haulageRoad permitHaulage Permits Office

shorttermecmt@dvsa.gov.uk

You ifneed you’reto travelling:include:

  • throughyour Turkeyoperator tolicence another countrynumber
  • inthe Ukrainejourney usingdestination a(it Euromust IIIbe oreither EuroAlbania, IVArmenia, vehicle

Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kazakhstan,North Morocco,Macedonia, RussiaMoldova, Montenegro, Russia, Serbia, Turkey or Tunisia

YouUkraine)

  • proof canthat getyou’ll bilateralbe roadtravelling haulageto permitsthis insteadcountry ofin ECMT2020 permits(for ifexample, youra journeycontract involvesto Belarus,import Georgia,and Kazakhstan,export, Morocco,or Russiaevidence of recent or Tunisia.

    Unlikeregular ECMTto permits,the country)

  • how many morepermits you need
  • which type of thesevehicle permitsyou’ll areuse available.

    Armenia,(Euro AzerbaijanV or BosniaEuro and Herzegovina

    VI)

    • You

    Apply mustfor havepermits anfor ECMT2021

    You permitneed to transportapply goodsfor to,permits throughfor or2021 fromby Armenia,11:59pm Azerbaijanon or20 BosniaNovember and Herzegovina.2020.

    IfPermits yourwill journeyonly alsobe includesallocated anyafter otherthe ECMTapplication countries,period has ended. They are not allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

    To apply, you should:need:

    • use your ECMTusername permitand forpassword theto journeymanage your vehicle operator licence
    • nota applydebit foror separatecredit bilateralcard permitsto -pay youthe cannotapplication usefee

    When ayou bilateralsign roadin, haulageselect permit at the samePermits timetab asto anapply.

    ECMTStart permit now

    What

    Before you cannot use ECMT permits forstart

    You cannotneed useto ECMT permits:know:

    • towhich travelcountries throughyou’ll ECMTneed countries to countriestransport thatgoods areto notor through in the scheme2021
    • forthe cabotagenumber (loadingof andinternational unloadingtrips goodsyou formade hirein or2019 reward(an betweenoutward 2and pointsreturn intrip acounts countryas byone atrip)
    • the vehiclepercentage that’sof notinternational registeredtrips inyou thatmade country)in 2019

    Cyprus

  • if isyour notjourneys partinclude oftransit the(passing ECMTthrough scheme.one Youor cannotseveral useEU ancountries, ECMTwithout permitcollecting toor transportdelivering goods throughin Cyprusthe to ECMTEU, countries.

    • Eligibility

    Tobefore applyreaching fora an ECMTnon-EU permit,destination yousuch must:

    ApplyVI forvehicles permits

    Annualonly, permitsbut fora 2021

    Yousmall cannumber nowill longerbe applyavailable for annualEuro ECMTV permitsvehicles)

  • which forsector 2021.

    1. You’llyou havemainly antransport emailgoods toin

      2. The tellsectors you ifcan you’vechoose beenfrom allocatedare:

      • chemicals
      • food anproducts
      • furniture
      • metal
      • mail annualand ECMTparcels
      • raw permitmaterials ifand youwaste
      • refined applied.fuels
      • transport They’veand beenmachinery
      • textiles
      • unrefined allocatedfuels
      • wood
      • other basednon-metallic onmineral a set criteria.

        products

      • Younone mustof paythese thesectors permit(you’ll feebe withinable 10to workingselect daysthis if you’veyou beendo allocatednot atransport permit.

      • You’llgoods getmainly thein permitsone byof firstthe classother post.

        sectors)

    Short-term permits for 2021

    YouIt’s canillegal requestto shortmake terma (30-day)false ECMTstatement permits to carryapply outfor a thirdpermit. cross-tradeYour joboperator (movinglicence goodscan betweenbe 2taken EUaway, countries)suspended inor Januaryrestricted, and Februarypermits 2021.

    Emailcan DVSAbe totemporarily requestor short-termpermanently permits.

    DVSAtaken Internationalaway Roadfrom Haulage Permits Office
    shorttermecmt@dvsa.gov.ukyou.

    You

    What needhappens to include:

    next

      1. your

        DVSA operatorwill licenceallocate number

      2. thepermits journeyafter destination
      3. proofthe thatapplication you’llperiod behas travellingended. toThey thiswill countrybe inallocated Januarybased oron Februarya 2021set (forcriteria.

      4. You’ll example,get aan contractemail totelling importyou andif export,you’ve orbeen evidenceallocated ofa recentpermit.

      5. You ormust regularpay to the country)

      6. howpermit manyfee permitswithin you10 need -thecalendar startdays andif endyou’re dateallocated a permit.

      7. which

        You’ll typeget ofthe vehiclepermits you’llby usefirst (Euroclass Vrecorded or Euro VI)delivery.

    Fees

    You have to pay a non-refundable £10 application fee for each permit.

    You then have to pay for the actual permit. It costs:

    • £10 per permit for short-term permits (for use in 2020)
    • £123 per permit for an annual ECMT permit (for use in 2021)

    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 contact DVSA for advice.

    DVSA International Road Haulage Permits Office

    irhp@dvsa.gov.uk

    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 licence

    If 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 6NF

    Lost, 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 5pm

    Find out about call charges

    If 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.

    Published 26 November 2018

    Last updated 222 JanuaryNovember 20212020 + show all updates

    1. Updated the 'Check if you need ECMT permits' section to make it clearer when you need ECMT permits, and what other options there are for other types of permits.

    2. Updated why you need ECMT permits in 2021, and how to buy short-term (30-day) permits to use in January and February 2021 if you want to make a third cross-trade movement.

    3. Updated to confirm that emails have been sent to tell applicants if they’ve been allocated an ECMT permit for 2021.

    4. Removed the link to apply for ECMT permits for 2021 as the application period has ended. Updated the section on what happens next if you applied.

    5. Added a link to the service to apply for ECMT permits for 2021. The deadline to apply is 11:59pm on 20 November 2020.

    6. Added information about preparing to apply for ECMT permits for 2021 between 2 November and 20 November 2020.

    7. Changed the date that you can complete most international journeys without an ECMT permit from 31 December 2019 to 31 July 2020. This is because the European Commission has extended a temporary set of measures.

    8. Added a link to the service to buy ECMT permits for November and December 2019.

    9. Updated information about buying permits for journeys until 31 December 2019. You'll be able to buy these permits from 30 August 2019 - you only need to buy them if you’ll be travelling to non-EU or EEA countries through the EU or EEA.

    10. Added information about how to prepare for Brexit, which includes a link to a new guide about how to carry out international road haulage after Brexit.

    11. Updated to confirm you can continue to use your EU Community Licence until 31 December 2019 if the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and that you would need an ECMT permit to transport goods through EU or EEA countries to non-EU or EEA countries who are ECMT members. Added information about how to apply for short-term ECMT permits for April 2019.

    12. Updated the guidance on applying, as applications for 2019 permits closed at 11:59pm on Saturday 16 March 2019.

    13. Added information about how to apply for a further allocation of ECMT permits the UK has secured, if you have not already applied for a 2019 permit.

    14. Added information about the UK government working to put arrangements in place with individual EU member states, updated information about what happens next if you applied for an ECMT permit for 2019, and added information about how to get an ECMT ‘certificate of roadworthiness’ for vehicles and trailers.

    15. Updated the guidance on applying, as you can no longer apply for ECMT permits for 2019. Applications closed on Friday 18 January 2019.

    16. Extended the deadline to apply for 2019 permits from 11:59pm on 21 December 2018 to 11:59pm on 18 January 2019, and added information about short-term permits.

    17. Added guidance on meeting the ECMT Quality Charter.

    18. First published.

    Contents