Hauliers serving music concerts, sports and cultural events will be able to move their vehicles freely between Great Britain and the EU thanks to newly-announced haulage sector rules.
Designed in consultation with the live music, performing arts and sports sectors, a new dual registration measure is expected to come into force from late summer. It will apply to specialist hauliers that transport equipment for cultural events, such as concert tours or sports events.
Dual registration will mean drivers with an established base in Great Britain and in another country outside of the UK will be able to transfer their vehicle between both operator licences without the need to change vehicles, have their journeys limited or pay VED in Great Britain.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “British talent has long been at the heart of global performing arts and our specialist haulage sector is critical to the success of their tours.
“It is unacceptable that because of EU bureaucracy, the operations of our specialist haulage sector on which our artists rely have been put at risk, impacting the livelihoods of touring artists and sportspeople.
“Dual registration helps put this right and means that touring events can take place seamlessly across Great Britain, the EU and beyond, keeping our incredible cultural sector thriving for years to come.”
Since the UK’s departure from the EU, British specialist hauliers have been limited to visiting just three EU stops per tour. However, under the new legislation, companies with operating bases in both Great Britain and another international location can switch vehicles between the respective operator licences and make use of the internal movements permitted within each territory. This opportunity applies not just to the EU, but also to other countries, opening our doors to cultural exchange from all over the world.
Tarrant Anderson, Company Director of Vans for Bands, said: “We are really pleased that the Department for Transport has engaged in detail with our sector on this critical issue and has come up with a solution to keep the live music touring industry moving. Without this initiative a large number of tours this year would simply have been unable to take place.”
