The transportation of goods is an essential factor in the smooth operation of economies around the world. Since the start of the pandemic, the transport sector has shown great perseverance, despite some companies facing up to half as many orders.
In 2021, transport companies will continue to optimize their working methods to the new conditions. All the more so as the industry faces new challenges such as changes in trade relations within the EU and with the UK, additional restrictions on travel within Europe or stricter requirements on drivers’ working hours.
To support road hauliers, we have prepared an overview of the main changes in the transport industry in 2021, about which more is known every day and for which it is worth preparing now.
Europe
New Eurovignette Directive
In early December, the EU approved the draft of the new Eurovignette Directive. It is already known that the weight limit of the vehicle covered by the toll will be reduced, and in the future the toll will depend on the level of CO2 emissions.
The directive should come into force from 2023. Until then, zero-emission trucks will receive at least a 50% discount on tolls, after 2025. – EU countries will be able to give between 50 and 75% discount.
Another novelty: no later than 8 years after the directive enters into force, mandatory tolls will be levied on all vehicles over 3.5 tons in those EU countries where tolling systems for large trucks already exist. Facilities will be provided for small and medium-sized companies.
Brexit
From 1 January, the UK is introducing new transport regulations. The government of this country has posted a guide on its website containing the main provisions regarding:
- required documents for truck drivers
- Access to ports
- rules for passing border controls
- insurance, etc.
The website also contains information on the documents that will be required by the border services of the EU countries where trucks from the UK will be arriving by ferry (e.g. France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Ireland).
Anticipating the new challenges, the French have already developed an IT system that automates border controls for trucks passing through the ports of Calais, Dunkirk and the English Channel.
Mandates
A standardized ERRU system is coming to Europe, recording all transport violations and scoring the reliability of companies.
What does it consist of? All offences will be graded according to their seriousness and a certain number of penalty points will be awarded for each one. Once they exceed their highest threshold, a carrier’s license may be revoked. All information will be stored in ERRU for 2 years, after which it will be cancelled.
The list of offences is included in the European legislation (Regulation 2016/403): violations of regulations regarding vehicle inspections, their weight and dimensional standards, speed limits, etc. Later, the provisions foreseen in the Mobility Package will be included here.