Delayed launch for five-nation Euro road tax scheme
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• The launch of a road tax certificate for trucks over 12 tonnes travelling on German, Belgium, Dutch, Danish or Luxembourg motorways has been delayed in all but two of the countries. Germany and Denmark implemented the system on 1 January; Belgium has delayed its start until 1 February for foreign drivers. It is likely to start in Luxembourg on 1 March but not until July or later in the Netherlands. Once the scheme is operational, it will allow drivers to use the motorways in any of the five countries within the specified life of the certificate—a day, week, month or year. To help ease the start of the system the German Federal Office for Goods Transport (BAG) is proposing to phase in the penalty scheme throughout January. This will give drivers a chance to become familiar with where the certificates can be bought. • Once the scheme is fully operational, certificates should be readily available from petrol stations, service areas and depots within the five countries.
• Certificates should also be available from sales points within each EU member state.
• For UK drivers using the Dover/Folkestone routes to the Continent the only sales point will be at the P&O Freight Office at Dover.
The outlet will be linked by computer to the German system. It is due to be operational by 20 January. Drivers will be able to pay by credit or Fuel card, and the price will be charged in sterling. Ramsgate-based Sally Lines is also looking into the possibilities of operating a selling point.