If you are a Heavy Goods Vehicle driver (or training to become one) it would be a good idea to read up on rules and regulations which you might need to comply with, as an HGV driver in the UK and/or Europe. HGV drivers are often required to transport goods from the UK to Europe and beyond.

Ferry or Channel Tunnel

All road haulage takes place either through ferries or the channel tunnel. There are various ferries which go to several different European countries. Whether you plan to travel by ferry or by the channel tunnel, an official booking needs to be made online. Some necessary information about the vehicle and the goods that would be transported has to be provided while booking. This includes information about the weight and size of the vehicle and a little about what type of merchandise would be carried in the vehicle. After providing the authorities with the required documents, the HGV driver is free to park his vehicle and relax till it’s time to drive off again.

Plan ahead

However to ensure a stress-free and safe road voyage it’s best to plan ahead and have all the useful documents ready. The first and foremost document for an HGV driver and any fellow crew member is a valid personal passport. The passport must meet the validity requirements of the destination country and any other countries which might be on the route. A British passport holder does not need a visa to enter an EU member country but a visa might be needed if traveling beyond Europe. An authorised licence for the type of vehicle being driven and an International Driver’s Permit are a must. While in Europe, an HGV driver must follow the EU rules for the allowed maximum number of hours, he can drive for. For this purpose, he might be asked to show proof of the number of hours he has driven for in the past 28 days.

Documents

Other relevant documents which might be necessitated are ‘Standard Tank’ documentation, Cabotage documentation and Insurance and Medical information of the driver.

Some of the documentation is not essentially required at all times but it’s always best to go fully prepared, just in case.