On the 13th September, the UK Government issued a number of Brexit related documents, including several technical notices related to the maritime, transport and logistics industry regarding ferry port entry, international driving permits, driver identity documents and trailer registration.

What are Technical Notices?

The technical notices issued by the government provide advice on how to prepare for certain scenarios, detailing the purpose of the notice, the current status and several possible scenarios. They also detail what individuals affected by a potential change need to do and other supporting information.

International Driving Permits

The Government has issued a technical notice explaining what will happen to UK driving licences in the event of a no deal scenario.

UK driving licence holders including HGV and commercial van drivers will need an international driving permit (IDP) to drive in the EU. Drivers who do not have the correct documentation may be turned away at the border as well as potentially facing fines.

There are two types of IDPs:

• A 1949 model, which is recognised in Ireland, Spain, Malta and Cyprus. It is already available at certain post offices and by mail order.
• A 1968 model, which is recognised in all other EU countries, Switzerland and Norway. It will only be available from 1 February 2019 at 2,500 post offices. o Drivers who enter several EU countries may therefore need two IDPs (for instance, when crossing France on the way to Spain).

The objective of the UK Government is to seek mutual recognition agreements so that the need to carry multiple versions of the IDP can be avoided. Unfortunately, these agreements might not be ready in time or palatable to European member states, and it would therefore be prudent to assume that IDPs will be needed in most cases.

An IDP costs £5.50 and demand for such documentation is currently low. At the moment the IDP application process is reasonably quick, however with the likely increase in driver requests the processing time will increase.

Visiting drivers who hold a valid EU licence will be able to continue to operate as normal, as the UK does not require visiting drivers to have an International Driving Permit. EU licence holders can continue to drive until their existing EU licence expires, or until they reach the age of 70, or until three years after coming to live in the UK.

For EU licence holders who passed their test in the EU or European Economic Area (EEA), the UK would continue to exchange their licence. EU licence holders who passed their test outside the EU or EEA have restrictions on licence exchange, and so may need to take a test to obtain a UK licence.

Driver Identity Documents

Another technical notice recently issued is in regards to UK passports. This also applies to drivers entering the EU. UK drivers will need a passport which is less than 10 years old and with at least 6 months validity remaining.

Common Travel Area arrangements with Ireland will remain unchanged.

Trailer Registration

Trailer registration will be mandatory for non-commercial trailers above 3.5 tonnes and commercial trailers about 750 kg travelling through all EU countries (except Ireland, Spain ,Cyprus and Malta).

The registration fee will be £26 and duplicate copies of the certificate will cost £10. Changing registered keeper details will cost £21.

The new system is expected to be up and running by the end of 2018. All relevant trailers will need to registered before the 28th March 2019.

Importing and Exporting Goods

Products that meet current EU requirements will still be able to placed on the UK market without retesting. It is expected that after a specific time period (likely to be two years maximum), retesting will be required. Notice will be given to businesses before the time period ends.

Products that have been tested by a UK based body will need to be retested by an EU recognised conformity body before being placed on the EU market.

Maritime Transport & Brexit

In a no deal scenario, EU countries would be unable to issue exemption to vessels (including ferries) in regards to security and seafarers certificates operating scheduled services from the UK. Pre-arrival security information would be required before their vessels were permitted to enter the port(s) of an EU country. The UK Government intends to continue issuing exemptions for scheduled services from an EU country to a port in the UK, regardless of the outcome of negotiations.

A full range of technical notices are available on the UK Government 'How to prepare if the UK leaves the EU with no deal' website. Thanks to the FTA for the Brexit update.