What UK bus and coach operators need to do to provide services, tours, holidays and trips into Europe and other countries.
Three main types of international bus or coach services:
- a regular service - this follows a timetable and picks up and drops passengers at fixed points on a specified route
- a special regular service - this is a regular service that only carries specified types of passengers (for example, taking workers between home and work)
- an occasional service - this covers all types of journeys not counted as a regular or special regular service (for example, one-off tourist trips)
Applications and service changes to (new office address):
International Road Haulage Permit Office
Quarry House
Quarry Hill
Leeds
LS2 7UE
Where you can run regular services and special regular services
You can only run a regular service or special regular service from the UK to EU countries. You’re not allowed to travel through the EU to non-EU countries.
You cannot transport passengers between 2 stops within the EU, except on services operating between Ireland and Northern Ireland.
You need to send the following information with your application form:
- the service timetable
- fare scales
- information about the type and volume of the service that you plan to provide
- a map on an appropriate scale that shows the route and the stopping points where passengers are to be picked up and set down
- a driving schedule so that driving and rest periods can be checked for compliance
- a list of partners or sub-contractors (if there are any), with a copy of their operator licence
- any extra information you think is relevant to support your application
If you’re applying as a consortium
If you want to act as a consortium with other operators to provide a pooled service, nominate one to apply on behalf of all the partners. They should be based in the country where the route begins or ends.
The service authorisation includes:
- the authorisation pages, which give details of the service - it has a unique number on it
- the timetable
- the fare table
- the drivers’ hours schedule
- a map of the route
- a list of subcontractors involved in running the service (if applicable)
Documents your driver needs to carry about the service
Your driver needs to carry copies of:
- the regular service’s authorisation
- the contract (or equivalent document) between you and the company providing any additional vehicles, if applicable
For special regular services, the driver also needs to carry copies of the contract between you and the service’s organiser.
Your driver also needs to carry other vehicle documents and driver documents.
What your passengers need
Your passengers need to have either an individual or collective valid travel ticket throughout the journey. This needs to show:
- the departure and destination points, and where appropriate, the return journey
- the period of validity of the ticket
- the price of the transport
The tickets might need to be shown to authorised inspecting officers during the journey.
Further information: