With effect from 6 April, 2021 all lorry drivers entering the UK from the EU (not Ireland), and who are staying for more than 48 hours, will be required to take tests for COVID-19. Failure to comply will incur a fine of £2,000.

The Department for Transport has issued updates on a number of changes affecting hauliers travelling to the EU.

The Department for Transport has today (9 March) stated that from Sunday, 21 March, all haulier processing operations, including COVID testing for hauliers, will be suspended at Manston Airport.

Hungary’s HUGO road tolls can now be settled using a new post-pay service from DKV BOX EUROPE. The HUGO toll system includes all highways, express roads and national roads across the country.

Volvo Trucks’ new generation of heavy-duty trucks – the Volvo FH, FH16, FM and FMX – are now entering serial production in Volvo’s manufacturing plants in Sweden, Belgium and Russia.

On 1 March, Highways England launched a review of the Highway Code to improve road safety on motorways and high-speed roads.

The Department for Transport has announced the opening of three new COVID testing sites at the following service stations:

James Firth, Head of Road Freight Regulation Policy at Logistics UK, has responded to the announcement on 21 February that the UK government will not implement an EU ruling known as ‘Vnuk’, that would have required all motor vehicles operating on private land to have motor insurance.

Last October, Scania participated in two comparison tests organised in Germany by European trade magazines. The results for the 1000 Punkte Test (1000 Point Test) and European Truck Challenge (ETC) have now been published with Scania´s 540 S tractor taking first place over its competitors.

From 1 March, 2021 all vehicles over 12 tonnes GVW will require a Direct Vision Standard (DVS) and safety permit to operate in Greater London.

The DVSA is advising HGV operators to get their vehicles MOTd in February or March to avoid a bottleneck at Authorised Test Facilities (ATFs) later in the year.

De Haan Relocation in the Netherlands has recently converted three of its 11 vehicles to run on HVO100 (100% Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil). It is claimed that HVO100 reduces CO2 emissions by 90% when calculated across the entire supply chain (well to wheel).

The Road Haulage Association (RHA) is warning operators and drivers of HGVs over 12 tonnes (GVW) entering Greater London, that from 1 March they must meet the capital’s Direct Vision Standard (DVS) rules or face £550 fines for each journey. The Greater London area covers most of the area within the M25 motorway.

Kent-based Matthew James Global Relocations has strengthened its already impressive fleet of vehicles with the addition of five brand new Mercedes-based SprintMAX low-loader vans from UK builder, Maxi Mover.

Truck and van drivers leaving the UK and travelling to France must have a COVID test taken in the 72 hours prior to arrival in France. It will not be possible to enter France without proof of a negative test.

The UK’s Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has revised its guidance on how it categorises vehicle defects in roadside checks.

With Scania’s planned rapid introduction of electric vehicles over the coming years, there is a concurrent need to intensify battery testing and tailored deployment.

According to lawyers at Fox Williams and Hagens Berman UK, who are working on a potential group action litigation on behalf of England and Wales Mercedes owners, a decision released by the EU Court of Justice (CJEU) on 17 December last year puts Mercedes further on the back-foot in the face of claims that they engaged in diesel emissions fraud in the European market.

IAM RoadSmart is part of a project called Drive2thefuture. It wants your views on developing training programmes, policies and other cost efficient measures to help people to use autonomous vehicles safely.

Hauliers and commercial drivers are now able to log on to the Check an HGV is Ready to Cross the Border service to register their details and prepare for any upcoming journeys they plan in the New Year.