A&A Transport Management

26/11/2025

What Are AETR Rules — and When Do They Replace the Old EU Regime for You?

AETR = European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport. From 21 April 2025, for HGV journeys between the UK and EU / non-EU countries, AETR rules now replace the old EU regime.

Key points about AETR:
• Most core driving and rest limits mirror the retained EU rules (e.g. 9 h daily driving, breaks, etc.).

• There are differences in rest-time derivation, transitional provisions, and record-keeping.

When AETR applies:
• Any journey into, out of, or across the UK and EU / non-EU where international transport is involved.
• Even if part of your journey is domestic, the whole trip may fall under AETR.

When domestic GB rules apply (i.e. not AETR):
• Purely GB journeys (within England / Scotland / Wales) with no international leg.

✅ Tip: Map your routes: any cross-border leg? Then apply AETR rules to the entire journey, not just the “foreign” part. Train your drivers accordingly.

I can send you a quick reference table: “Domestic vs AETR vs assimilated rules” — DM me if you want it.

20/10/2025

Need an External Transport Manager for your haulage business?

Based in South West of England, we cover Gloucester, Cheltenham, Bristol, Bath, Swindon, and the surrounding areas.

With over 15 years in strategic management of sales and logistics of a Midlands based delivery business, our in depth experience of challenges to a business allows us to be dynamic in the support we can offer to our clients. We feel it is important to not only help our clients stay safe and compliant, but also to help them understand the risks involved with non-compliance and how this can affect their business, with the goal to help them improve or maintain their Operator Compliance Risk Score.

If you want to know more about how we can help you, get in touch today.

A&A Transport Management - External Transport Manager services available based in Nottingham

20/10/2025

Major Rule Changes Are Live from 21 April 2025 — What You Must Know

⚠️ From 21 April 2025, new regulations change how drivers’ hours and tachograph rules apply — especially on international journeys.

What’s new:
• 56 days of driver records now required for international journeys (was 28 days)

• AETR rules now apply on journeys between UK and EU / non-EU countries instead of old EU rules

• You’ll need to retrofit smart tachograph 2 under specified deadlines (if your vehicle is in scope)

Important compliance deadlines:
• By 18 August 2025: Vehicles with Smart Tachograph 1 (on international routes) must upgrade to Smart Tachograph 2.

• From 31 Dec 2024: retrofit of Smart Tachograph 2 required on in-scope vehicles doing international journeys.

Domestic UK (within GB) driving hour rules remain unchanged under the domestic regime.

✅ Tip: First, identify which of your vehicles are subject to these new international rules. Then ensure your tachograph fleet, record-keeping, and driver training are updated before the deadlines hit.
Need help mapping which of your routes/devices need change? I can help you audit that — DM me.

15/03/2024

One question a client asked: Do I put a hire trailer on my operator licence?

It is important to understand the legal boundaries when considering using additional trailers.

Firstly you need to consider, is it a short-term hire? Short-term hire for units and trailers can be useful for seasonal work where businesses need flexibility. They are exempt from being added to your operator licence for 28 days.

If you plan on using the trailer on a longer term, another consideration is, does my licence have the margin? The margin is the number of trailers authorised on your operator’s licence, less the number in operation. If you have the margin – great news, you can add a trailer without violating your licence’s conditions. If you do not have the margin, then this will classed as a major change to your operator’s licence.

If you have questions, or need a transport manager, get in touch today.

10/06/2022

Check out our website

A&A Transport Management is a family-owned business offering the services of an External Transport Manager. Based in Nottingham and operating throughout the Midlands, our aim is to help your haulage business meet and maintain compliance requirements for your Operator’s License.

10/06/2022

Need an External Transport Manager for your haulage business?

Based in Nottingham, we cover the whole of the East Midlands covering Nottingham, Derby, Leicester, Lincoln, Mansfield, Northampton and the surrounding areas.

With over 15 years in strategic management of sales and logistics of a Midlands based delivery business, our in depth experience of challenges to a business allows us to be dynamic in the support we can offer to our clients. We feel it is important to not only help our clients stay safe and compliant, but also to help them understand the risks involved with non-compliance and how this can affect their business, with the goal to help them improve or maintain their Operator Compliance Risk Score.

If you want to know more about how we can help you, get in touch today.

www.aatransportmanagement.co.uk