UK cabotage rules for EU hauliers

The rules

• Cabotage is only allowed after arriving in the UK laden.
• Up to two cabotage movements within seven days of arriving and unloading.
• After the second movement the vehicle must leave the UK, empty or laden with a load for the EU.
• An empty trip between two UK drop-offs does not count as a cabotage movement.
• There is no cooling-off period: the vehicle can come back to the UK straight away for new international work.
• A vehicle that arrives empty may only make one collection and return directly to the EU; it may not do cabotage.

How it differs from EU cabotage

Inside the EU: Cabotage (domestic loads by a foreign EU carrier) is limited to three operations within seven days after an international delivery, followed by a four-day cooling-off period in that country. The UK limit comes from the UK–EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement and UK law, not from the EU regulation.

• EU cabotage rules

UK hauliers in the EU

UK hauliers work in the EU under the same agreement, with a limited number of extra movements after an international journey. Check the current GOV.UK guidance before planning EU-internal work.

Frequently asked questions