Road Transport Operation United Kingdom

The United Kingdom is located off the north-western coast of mainland Europe. The United Kingdom comprises the whole of the island of Great Britain, which contains England, Wales, and Scotland—as well as the northern portion of the island of  Ireland. The UK population is circa 68 million with London being its capital city.

Cabotage

European operators may carry loads to, from or through the country. Loads carried between third countries can only be undertaken under a bilateral agreement. Cabotage is permitted.

Dangerous Goods

The UK is a party to ADR. It is essential that fully completed ADR documentation is prepared for the movement of dangerous goods.

UK Tunnels & ADR

All vehicles carrying Dangerous Goods have to be checked and may either be allowed through unescorted, accompanied or turned away. For information as to the UK tunnel codes and the separate table of codes for the dangerous goods being carried see below.

Dangerous Goods and Tunnel Codes allowable or restricted

Code	Information Applicable
B Most restrictive	The passage is forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E
B1000C	A carriage where the total net explosive mass per transport unit exceeds 1000 kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E; does not exceed 1000 kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E
B/D	Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E; Other carriages: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E
B/E	Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category B, C, D and E; Other carriages: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E
C	The passage is forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E
C5000D	A carriage where the total net explosive mass per transport unit exceeds 5000 kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E; does not exceed 5000kg: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E
C/D	Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E; Other carriages: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E
C/E	Tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category C, D and E; Other carriages: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E
D	The passage is forbidden through tunnels of category D and E
D/E	Bulk or tank carriage: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category D and E; Other carriages: Passage forbidden through tunnels of category E
E least restrictive	The passage is forbidden through tunnels of category E
-	Passage allowed through all tunnels (For UN Nos. 2919 and 3331, see also ADR 8.6.3.1).

Tunnel Codes

Tunnel	Location	Tunnel Code
Ramsgate	Ramsgate, Kent	Code A
Dartford	Dartford – M25 Northbound	Code C
Limehouse	London	Code E
Rotherhithe	London	Code E
Blackwall	London	Code E
East India Dock Road	London	Code E
Mersey (Queensway & Kingsway)	Liverpool	Code D
Clyde	Glasgow	Code D
Tyne	Newcastle-Upon-Tyne	Code D

The potential harm caused by some dangerous goods is amplified when transported through a tunnel. A Tunnel Restriction Code indicates the classes of tunnels that a vehicle containing such a substance can pass through, and in what quantities (if applicable).

For further information, visit the UNECE website at the link below & select the country name applicable - http://www.unece.org/trans/danger/publi/adr/country-info_e.html

Abnormal Loads

For indivisible loads which exceed the maximum authorised weights and dimensions, special authorisation must be requested from regional police headquarters and from the Highway and Bridge Authorities of each region to be crossed.

To simplify the procedure, the Highways Agency has set up the web-based ESDAL project (Electronic Service Delivery for Ab Loads) available - https://www.gov.uk/register-with-esdal

All abnormal load operators will require a keeper’s certificate to prove ownership of the trailer which must be carried as part of the vehicle documents at all times.
An application form can be downloaded below:

Keepers Trailer Certificate Abloads (pdf, 0.7 MB)

Taxation

A full tank of fuel can be imported duty-free.

Customs

TIR Carnets are accepted. ATA Carnets are accepted for certain temporary imports. CMR notes are advised.

Movement Restrictions

There are no driving restrictions throughout the road network for goods vehicles at weekends or Public Holidays.

Road Tolls – Motorways

The following are Motorway charges in the UK.

M6 M/Way - M6 Toll - Located in West Midlands
M25 M/Way - Dartford Crossing – Located at Dartford, Essex

Road Charging Schemes

During peak times drivers will be charged to use roads covered by these schemes:

London Congestion Charge - https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/driving/congestion-charge
Durham Road User Charge Zone - http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/3437/Durham-Road-User-Charge-Zone-congestion-charge

The Lorry Road User Charge

The Lorry Road User Charge is similar to the Eurovignette and came into force in April 2014. The HGV Road User Levy is a time-based charge which applies to all vehicles weighing 12 tonnes or more using the UK road network.
Find out more about the charge here - https://www.hgvlevy.service.gov.uk/

Bridge and Tunnel Tolls

There are many toll bridges and tunnels throughout the United Kingdom, many of which (such as the Clifton Suspension Bridge) are only designed to take a maximum weight of up to 3 tonnes. Use the location map links to find out where each bridge is located.

A road	Bridge or tunnel	Location map
A4	Batheaston Bridge	Bath, Somerset
A15	Humber Bridge	Hull, Yorkshire
A19	Tyne Tunnels	Wallsend, Tyne and Wear
A38	Tamar Bridge	Plymouth, Devon
A41	Mersey Tunnels - Queensway	Birkenhead, Liverpool
A57	Dunham Bridge	Lincoln, Lincolnshire
A59	Mersey Tunnels - Kingsway	Wallasey, Liverpool
A533	Mersey Gateway	Halton, Cheshire
A3025	Itchen Bridge	Southampton, Hampshire

The following bridges are on minor roads and which are likely to have a 3.5-tonne weight limit.

Road	Bridge	Location map
B471	Whitchurch Bridge	Pangbourne, Berkshire
B3129	Clifton Suspension Bridge	Bristol
B4350	Whitney-On-Wye Bridge	Whitney-On-Wye, Hereford
B4044	Swinford Bridge	Swinford, Oxfordshire
B5159	Warburton Bridge	Warburton, Greater Manchester
	Aldwark Bridge	Aldwark, North Yorkshire
	Kingsland Bridge	Shrewsbury, Shropshire
	Cartford Bridge	Preston, Lancashire

Vehicle Documentation

Green Card type insurance is required for all Foreign Operators
Original vehicle registration docs
A Nationality plate of the operator’s country of origin must be fitted to the rear of the vehicle/trailer.

Maximum Weights & Dimensions
Height	There is no compulsory height in the UK
Width	2.55 metres (Fridges 2.6 metres)
Length	Artic 16.5 metres Road Train 18.75 metres
Weight	Artic 44 tonnes Road Train 44 tonnes There are also various maximum permitted weights on vehicles, trailers and road trains which are applicable according to the number of axles and type of suspension fitted.

Safety Equipment

It is compulsory to carry the following items of equipment and/or observe specific rules:-

First Aid Kit
Warning triangle
Spare bulbs (advised)
Seat belts must be worn
Fire extinguisher

It is not compulsory to carry snow chains onboard a vehicle, however, their use is not forbidden. Use of chains is controlled by general legislation: 'a tyre must not be unsuitable for the use or circumstances to which it is put' e.g. if there is no snow, or road damage is likely.

Driver Legal Documents

Full passport required for all foreign drivers/crew.
International driving licence.
Letter from employer giving driver permission to drive the vehicle or attestation letter and form.
EU Hours rules apply.

If the UK fully leaves the EU on 31 January 2021, HGV drivers will require travel insurance with healthcare cover

Speed Limits

UK speed limits for buses, coaches and minibuses up to 12 metres long and goods vehicles weighing up to 7.5 tonnes:

Restricted road: 30mph
Single carriageway: 50mph
Dual carriageway: 60mph
Motorway: 70mph

Goods vehicles (not more than 7.5 tonnes maximum laden weight) are restricted to 60mph on Motorways if articulated or towing a trailer.

UK speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes in England and Wales:

Restricted road: 30mph
Single carriageway: 50mph
Dual carriageway: 60mph
Motorway: 60mph

UK speed limits for goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes in Scotland:

Restricted road: 30mph
Single carriageway: 40mph
Dual carriageway: 50mph
Motorway: 60mph

Trailers

The types of vehicles not permitted to use the right hand (offside) lane on a motorway, which has three or more lanes open for use by traffic travelling in the same direction are:

A goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight exceeding 7.5 tonnes,
A goods vehicle having a maximum laden weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter
A passenger vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver the maximum laden weight of which exceeds 7.5 tonnes;
A passenger vehicle which is constructed or adapted to carry more than eight seated passengers in addition to the driver the maximum laden weight of which does not exceed 7.5 tonnes, which is required to be fitted with a speed limiter.
A motor vehicle drawing a trailer
A vehicle that is a motor tractor, a light locomotive or a heavy locomotive.

There are exceptions to this rule, which are:

When it is necessary for the vehicle to be driven to enable it to pass another vehicle that is carrying or drawing a load of exceptional width
For a vehicle to change lane during a period when it would not be reasonably practicable for it to do so without involving danger of injury to any person or inconvenience to other traffic

Van Speed Limits

The following speed limits apply to vans up to & including 3.5 tonnes:

Restricted road: 30mph
Single carriageways: 50mph
Dual Carriageways: 60mph
Motorways: 70mph

If the vehicle has a speed limiter fitted or is drawing a trailer, the van is not permitted in the outside (offside) lane of a motorway where 3 or more lanes are in use.