• Permits remain necessary for journeys to or through certain countries.
• Bilateral permit: permission to operate agreed between the UK and one particular country.
• Multilateral permit: permits movement to or through a number of states.

12.1 COUNTRIES REQUIRING BILATERAL PERMITS

• The source identifies some CIS states, including Belarus, Russia and Ukraine, as requiring permits.
• Turkey requires a permit to transit the country, but the source states no permit is required to deliver goods within Turkey.
• Permits are issued by DVSA's International Road Haulage Permits Office.
• Each bilateral permit allows one return journey to or through the specified country.

12.2 QUOTA AND NON-QUOTA PERMITS

• Historically, some countries limited the number of bilateral permits available.
• Permits subject to a limited allocation were described as 'quota' permits.
• The source states that very few countries now require bilateral permits and those that do generally have no availability limit; these are 'non-quota' permits.

12.3 MULTILATERAL PERMITS

• The source identifies two main multilateral permits: ECMT general goods and ECMT removals permits.
• EU vehicle operation is controlled by the Community Licence, so these permits mainly cover operations outside that system.
• ECMT means European Conference of Ministers of Transport; the organisation has been replaced by the International Transport Forum (ITF).
• DVSA still uses the term ECMT permits.
• ITF operates under the OECD and is involved in European transport legislation discussions.
• DVSA issues a removals permit and a general haulage permit.
• The removals permit is for removals firms only and must not be used for general goods.
• The general haulage permit has detailed conditions.

12.4 ECMT MULTILATERAL PERMIT

• ECMT permits are intended for 'tramping' journeys, involving pick-ups and drops on a round trip, across ECMT member countries.
• The source lists 43 ECMT countries at the time of the material, including the UK, EU countries, EFTA countries, Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and others.
• Each year ECMT signatories agree an allocation; UK permits are issued by DVSA to operators meeting the required standards.
• ECMT initiatives encourage lower noise/emission vehicles and higher safety specifications.
• Vehicles meeting the higher standards may display front plates; the source gives a Euro 6 vehicle example with a green plate bearing white Roman numerals VI.
• The source states permits were available for Euro 5 or Euro 6 vehicles and were in short supply.

12.5 ECMT PERMIT CONDITIONS

• Up to 3 cross-trade movements between ECMT countries are permitted, according to the source.
• Available from DVSA through the operator online self-service portal.
• Hire and reward only.
• Cannot be used for unaccompanied trailers or semi-trailers.
• Bilateral journeys and third-country traffic are permitted, as is multi-country/multi-drop work.
• Cabotage is prohibited.
• Only one vehicle may use the permit at a time.
• Valid for one calendar year, January to December, with no limit on the number of journeys; the source also notes possible 30-day short-term permits.
• Before a journey, the permit log book must be completed in ink with full journey details.
• A certificate of compliance and certificate of roadworthiness are required.
• ECMT general goods permits are scarce; infrequent use or excessive single bilateral journeys may lead DVSA to withdraw a permit for reallocation.

12.6 PERMIT ISSUE AND RETURN

• All permits are issued by DVSA.
• First-time applications must include a copy of the Operator's Licence.
• Permits are allocated specifically to named operators.
• The original/top sheet of each completed ECMT log-book page must be returned to DVSA within 2 weeks of the vehicle returning to the UK.
• The complete ECMT log book must be sent to DVSA within 2 weeks of the permit expiring.

12.7 OWN ACCOUNT OPERATIONS

• Permit requirements mainly concern hire-and-reward operations.
• Some countries require own-account operators to carry an 'own account document'.
• It should contain full details of the operator, journey, vehicle and load.
• Operators may produce their own version; the source notes that UK Logistics has developed a standard own-account document for members.