The total area of the United Kingdom is 93,628 square miles (242,500 km 2), with an estimated population of more than 67 million people. The UK left the EU on 31 January 2020. The transition period that was in place – during which nothing changed – ended on 31 December 2020. The rules governing the new relationship between the EU and UK took effect on 1 January 2021.
Abnormal Road Movements
Hauliers must notify the police of their intention to move abnormal loads. They must also alert the owners of any bridges and structures that cross, or are crossed by, the route they plan to use.
You can use Highways England’s free online service: Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads (ESDAL) system to:
To start using the ESDAL system, start here.
Get a ‘certificate of keeper’ for your abnormal load trailer if you want to use it outside the UK, or replace a lost certificate.
If you’re considering transporting an ab-load into Europe, please consider the EU Directive below and visit the link to the tables.
EU Directive – Within the European Union (EC), the Council Directive 96/53/EC gives information about the permissible dimensions and weights for road vehicles in international traffic. Vehicle combinations (trucks with ordinary trailers or semi-trailers) which comply with the criteria specified here may travel on roads within the EU without a special permit. The size and weight limits set by the Council Directive are summarised in the tables at the link here
Carriage of Dangerous Goods
Carrying goods by road or rail involves the risk of traffic accidents. If the goods carried are dangerous, there is also the risk of an incident, such as spillage of the goods, leading to hazards such as fire, explosion, chemical burn or environmental damage.
Most goods are not considered sufficiently dangerous to require special precautions during carriage. Some goods, however, have properties, which mean they are potentially dangerous if carried.
Dangerous goods are liquid or solid substances and articles containing them, that have been tested and assessed against internationally-agreed criteria – a process called classification – and found to be potentially dangerous (hazardous) when carried. Dangerous goods are assigned to different Classes depending on their predominant hazard.
For further information, please visit the HSE website.
Main competent authority
Department for Transport – Dangerous Goods Division
Third Floor Great Minster House
33 Horseferry Road
UK-LONDON SW1P 4DR
Tel.:+44 (0) 20 79 44 2271 / 5120
E-mail: dangerousgoods@dft.gsi.gov.uk
Class 1
Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Explosives Health and Safety Executive
5.S.2 Redgrave Court Merton Road
Bootle
Merseyside
L20 7HS
United Kingdom
Tel.: +44 (0) 20 3028 4025
Fax: +44 (0) 20 3028 3891
E-Mail: explosive.enquiries@hse.gov.uk
Class 7
Office for Nuclear Regulation
Building 4 Redgrave Court
Merton Road
Bootle
L20 7HS
Email: ONRenquiries@onr.gsi.gov.uk
Notification according to 1.9.5 (Tunnel restrictions)
The United Kingdom notified tunnel restrictions for entry into force on 1 January 2010: tunnel categories The United Kingdom notified additional restrictions for Heathrow Airport road tunnel connecting the M4 motorway with Terminals 1, 2 and 3 in the airport complex. These came into effect on 31 March 2010:
Between 04:00 and 23:00: Category E
At other times: Category C
The United Kingdom notified additional restrictions for the Dartford tunnels. The Dartford tunnels are rated as category ‘C’ for the carriage of dangerous goods. They do however have additional specific operating restrictions relating to escorting of some dangerous goods vehicles (see notification)
ADR Tunnel Codes from 01 January 2010
Other notifications
Notification of approval for the carriage of damaged lithium batteries: Approval 003-13
Notifications in accordance with 6.2.5:
Valves for firefighting systems
Explosion suppressor valve head assembly for use in explosion protection systems
Quick release valve assemblies for use in fire protection systems
If you are shipping dangerous goods, you must also complete a dangerous goods declaration. See guidance on moving dangerous goods
Heavy Goods Vehicles Road Tolls
Do you drive a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) weighing 12 tonnes or more? If so, from 1 April 2014, you will need to pay a levy to use UK roads – before you enter the country.
How much is the levy?
The charge for every HGV is between £1.70 and £10 a day (£85 and £1,000 per year), depending on the type of vehicle, number of axles, and weight. You can pay by the day – or save money by paying in advance by the week, month or year.
Whatever payment period you choose, the levy runs from midnight (00:00:00) to one-second before midnight (23:59:59).
How do I pay?
There will be a small number of HGV Levy payment points in some ferry terminals and a few fuel stations, where you can ‘Pay and Go’ using cash or card.
Who needs to pay the levy?
The levy can be paid by you, your company, or a booking agent. However, it’s up to you to check your vehicle has a valid levy every time you come to the UK. You can do this quickly and easily online.
What happens if I do not pay?
If you have not paid the full levy for your vehicle, automatic number-plate recognition cameras, ferry records and other checks will alert our enforcement agencies when you arrive in the UK. You will have to pay an on-the-spot fine of £300 at the roadside. If you cannot pay the fine, your vehicle will be impounded, which could seriously disrupt your delivery schedule and lead to further costs.
//Speak to George to Update
See also additional tolls on Specific Motorways, bridges and tunnels.
Weekend and public holiday Driving Bans
There are no weekend or public holiday driving bans for HGVs.
Speed Limits for HGV’s over 3.5t
The following speed limits are applicable to HGVs:
Goods vehicles not more than 7.5 tonnes
Drink Driving
The legal limits are 35 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath or 0.8 BAC (Blood Alcohol Content) for all drivers in the UK.
In Scotland, the legal limits are 22 milligrams of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath or 0.5 BAC.
Other Items Required
In addition to required documents, motorists are also required by law to carry the following items when driving to avoid hefty on-the-spot fines:
Items you should not bring into the UK from the EU
Be aware that you cannot take the following with you:
You cannot take the following unless you pay to have them inspected before you leave and get a ‘Phytosanitary certificate’:
Seat belts
Mandatory at all times.
In an emergency
112 – You can dial 112 from anywhere in Europe and an operator will connect you to an emergency service in the country you are visiting. Operators can answer your call in their native language, English or French.
Low Emission Zones
A number of regions have low emission zones for Lorries. These LEZs also affect the cities within those regions. For further information on LEZ’s
Transport Organisation
Road Haulage Association (RHA)
Tel: 01274 863100
Email: helpdesk@rha.uk.net
Logistics UK
Hermes House
Tunbridge Wells
Kent
TN4 9UZ
Phone: 03717 11 11 11
E-Mail: sales@logistics.org.uk
Fax: 01892 552336
Foreign Embassy’s in the UK
Foreign embassies in the UK – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) – Select London Diplomatic List to find your country embassy.
