Thread by @DmitryOpines

1/ Every time I talk about No-Deal Brexit, I refer to issues which "need a fix".

I want to make sure people understand just how serious these 'issues' are.

Ergo: a layperson's thread on trucks & buses under what we know today about no-deal Brexit 👇🏻.

2/ The EU has put out a Article 50 Preparation Note on Road Transport.

In this thread, I will go through most of it and do my best translate it into plain English.

If I err, I'm hoping real transport experts will jump in and correct me.

ec.europa.eu/transport/site…

3/ Here we go:

You can't be a truck driver, transport manager or operate a freight company in the EU without a 'certificate of professional competence' from an EU Member State.

Brexit: certificates issued by the UK will no longer be accepted, including those issued pre-Brexit.

4/ If an EU trucking company hires drivers from non-EU countries, they each need a 'driver attestation' from the EU country company is registered in.

Brexit: UK truck drivers will now need attestations, and attestations issued by the UK won't be accepted.

5/ To be a 'road transport operator' (trucking company), in the EU, you need an office in the EU.

Brexit: Companies which only have offices in the UK will not meet this requirement and won't be able to operate.

6/ To operate a trucking business in the EU, you need to have a designated 'Transport Manager' that lives in the European Union.

Brexit: Trucking businesses whose designated transport manager lives in the UK will not meet this requirement, and won't be able to operate.

7/ To carry goods or drive a bus full of people across borders in the EU requires a 'Community Licence' issued by an EU Member State.

Brexit: Community Licenses issued by the United Kingdom, including those issued before Brexit, will no longer be valid.

8/ Regular bus services between EU Member States require a special authorization.

Brexit: all authorizations involving the United Kingdom are no longer valid.

9/ So to summarize my reading:
- UK logistics operators and bus services will not be able to work on their UK issued documents.
- UK operators without a transport manager in the EU won't be able to work.
- UK citizens will need new, EU issued, documents to drive trucks/busses.

10/ Now I am hoping with every fiber of my being that something DOES change. Whether there's a "Deal" which includes these issues, a patchwork agreement between the relevant regulators, the EU changing its mind or a delay.

But if it doesn't, UK businesses need to be ready.

11/ Last point: It's not just UK truck/bus operators and those who rely on them who need to look at these issues.

This regulatory notice is just one of many. There's probably one on your sector. Take a look.

ec.europa.eu/info/brexit/br…

12/ I know this thread will likely be weaponized politically by those on the extreme left to hammer those on the right, and dismissed by those on the extreme right as 'project fear'.

I beg however PLEASE at least factor the information above into your planning.

13/ Someof the issues above could be dealt with by businesses themselves if the took the appropriate steps.

However, if 60% of the UK's truck driver population shows up at the Paris Driver Certification Center on Brexit Day 1, it's not going to go well.

/Thread