Important information from DfT about ECMT Permits

02 January 2025

The OTC recently circulated information on behalf of the Department for Transport, which we detail below:

In 2026 the process of issuing ECMT Permits will be going digital, and you will no longer require a paper permit or logbook. Instead, you will receive a QR code and will be able to log all journey details online.

In order to prepare for this, the International Transport Forum (ITF) will be opening up the website later this year to ensure hauliers can familiarise themselves with the system. You will still receive your paper permit and logbook, but you will also be able to log onto the ITF website with your unique username and password. These details will be provided by the International Road Haulage Permit Office (IRHPO) when your permit has been issued and you will be able to see which permits have been allocated to you. In 2026, the QR code will then replace the permit and the logbook will no longer be required, at this point all journeys will be logged on the online system.

The process of applying for ECMT Permits will remain the same throughout, where you need to email IRHPO with information that can be found here.
Please note that most journeys are covered by the UK Licence for the Community and/or bilateral permits. ECMT Permits will only be required for specific journeys –

• a third cross-trade journey in the EU,
• to make a cross-trade journey from the EU to a non-EU country (the non-EU country must be an ECMT member country),
• to make a cross-trade journey within the EU following an unladen journey from the UK
• or to undertake a journey to Armenia.

If you are an ECMT permit holder or you think that you may need to apply for one in the future, we advise that you join one of the training sessions provided by ITF, where they will outline the new process. There are two sessions, the first scheduled for 1pm-3pm on 22nd January and the second to be held at 9am-11am on 23rd January. You do not need to register to attend either session.

If you would like to join, please use one of the following links to join your preferred session at the scheduled time.

Sessions:
1pm-3pm on 22nd January 2025:
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 340 385 781 647
Passcode: jJ3GD2Je

9am-11am on 23rd January 2025:
Microsoft Teams Need help?
Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 324 984 059 368
Passcode: eu3eD3hm