Member News – 21 October 2026

21 October 2026

In this issue:

• DVSA publishes results of its 2025 Market Surveillance Unit programme.
• Skills England occupational standards consultation.
• Trader Support Service (TSS2) launched.
• Winter preparations briefing note.
• NaVCIS Freight crime bulletin.
• Updated form to apply for ADR tests.
• National Highways: work on Prince of Wales and Severn Bridges.

Policy updates

Skills England occupational standards consultation

Logistics UK has responded to Skills England’s consultation on the future of occupational standards, highlighting the need for a skills system that better reflects the realities of a modern, multimodal logistics sector. Our response welcomes the role standards play in defining occupational competence but calls for faster updates to keep pace with automation, artificial intelligence, digitalisation and the transition to net zero.

We also emphasise the importance of clearer progression pathways, stronger support for leadership and management development, and greater flexibility through apprenticeship units and modular learning. With much of the future workforce already in employment, we stress that skills policy must support upskilling and reskilling existing workers as well as attracting new entrants into the sector.

Trader Support Service (TSS2) launched

This new version of the TSS2 replaced the outgoing Trader Support Service on Tuesday 20 October 2026. If members are not yet registered, please register HERE.

The Trader Support Service 2 is free to use and gives access to:

• An online system for making customs and safety and security declarations for movements between Great Britain (England, Scotland, and Wales) and Northern Ireland
• Guidance on how to use the service, including regular webinars and email bulletins
• A digital assistant and contact centre support agents to help with your declarations

Logistics UK supports the objective of modernising the service and recognises the significant work undertaken to develop the new platform. However, feedback from businesses testing the system has highlighted concerns about implementation readiness and the practical operation of some processes.

Logistics UK has shared this feedback with HMRC and continues to engage constructively with officials on behalf of members. As the new system goes live, we are urging government and delivery partners to remain responsive to feedback from users and prepared to act quickly to resolve any issues that emerge during the transition.

If you are experiencing any issues, you can call the Trader Support Service team on 0800 870 8173 between 8am and 5:30pm, 7 days a week. You can also access a series of useful webinars about accessing and using TSS2 here.

DVSA publishes results of its 2025 Market Surveillance Unit programme

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has published the results of its 2025 Market Surveillance Unit (MSU) programme, covering emissions testing as well as the safety and compliance of vehicles, components and equipment. The MSU inspects vehicles, trailers, parts and equipment to check that they are safe to buy and use and meet relevant environmental standards.

Its 2025 emissions programme included diesel and petrol cars, light-duty vans, self-charging hybrids and motorcycles. The wider vehicle and component testing programme covered a range of products relevant to the road transport sector, including aftermarket emissions components, agricultural and forestry vehicles, motorcycle exhaust systems and silencers, electrically assisted pedal cycles and conversions, electric and petrol-powered scooters and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). DVSA said its work involved testing nine popular aftermarket catalytic converters and diesel particular filters (DPFs).

The results provide operators with useful insights

The link to the report can be found here.

Quick briefs

Winter preparations briefing note

With the colder months approaching, local authorities are preparing for the possibility of snow and ice. In the event of adverse weather conditions, gritting operations may need to be deployed at short notice to keep roads safe and passable.

It is therefore essential that gritter vehicles are maintained in a roadworthy condition and are ready for immediate use when required.

Our briefing note provides guidance on the circumstances in which the emergency exemption under the Domestic Drivers’ Hours Rules may be applied to support these operations.

The briefing note can be downloaded here.

NaVCIS freight crime bulletin

Please find attached the latest fortnightly National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Policy Service (NaVCIS) freight crime bulletin. This year, there have been 4,076 HGV and cargo crime notifications, with the average cost of each incident £23,892.

The NaVCIS Freight Crime Fortnightly Intelligence Bulletins are available to business and industry for the prevention and detection of crime.

Read the bulletin here.

Updated form to apply for ADR tests

From 1 November 2026, only applications for an ADR test to allow vehicles to carry dangerous or hazardous goods using the updated form will be accepted. The updated form includes additional questions, following updates to the ADR legislation.

To remain compliant and prevent any delays to an application, use the new form here: Apply to get a vehicle approved to transport dangerous goods (ADR).

National Highways: work on Prince of Wales and Severn Bridges

National Highways has shared an update on upcoming work that will be taking place across the Prince of Wales and Severn Bridges next week.

From Friday 16 October to Thursday 22 October

M48 Severn Bridge both directions 24/7 hard shoulder.

Monday 19 October to Friday 23 October

M48 Severn Bridge both directions daytime lane 1 closure:

• Westbound 05.00-15.00:
  • Entry slip M48 westbound junction 1 slip road reduced to single lane running.
  • Junction 1 outer ring roundabout closure on A403/M48.
  • A403 northbound lane 1 closure approaching A403/M48 roundabout Severn Road.

• Eastbound 09.30-18.00.

Tuesday 20 October and Wednesday 21 October

M48 Severn Bridge eastbound closure overnight, 21.00-06.00:

• Closed between M4 junction 23 (Magor) and M48 junction 1.
• Diversion via M5 junction 16.

M48 Severn Bridge junction 1 westbound slip closures (off and on), 21.00-06.00

• M4 Prince of Wales Bridge westbound closure overnight, 22.00-06.00.
• Closure between junction 21-23.
• Diversion via M48 (HGVs included).

Thursday 22 October and Friday 23 October

• M48 Severn Bridge westbound closure overnight, 21.00-06.00.
• Closure between junction 1- 2.
• Diversion via M4.

Support and advice

Leaking valve

Q. Our driver has stopped at a services and noticed an Intermediate Bulk Container loaded with dangerous goods leaking from the outlet valve. What should they do?

A. The driver should park safely, inform service station staff, assess the situation from a safe distance, avoid contact with the substance and follow the emergency instructions in the transport documentation. If intervention is necessary and safe, appropriate PPE should be used. The driver should keep unauthorised persons away, remove potential ignition sources if flammable goods are involved, notify their transport office and, where required, the emergency services.

Any spill or release must be managed in line with company procedures and dangerous goods regulations. The journey must not continue until the risk has been assessed and corrective action taken. Training, emergency equipment and effective communication are essential to minimise risks to people, property and the environment.

Dangerous goods documentation

Q. Why is dangerous goods transport documentation important and what information should it contain?

A. Dangerous goods documentation is essential for the safe and compliant transport of hazardous materials, providing critical information for drivers, operators, enforcement agencies and emergency responders. It should include the UN number, proper shipping name, hazard class, packing group (where applicable), quantity and consignor and consignee details.

Information must be accurate, legible, accessible throughout the journey and comply with ADR or IMDG requirements. Drivers should understand the document and know its location. Accurate documentation supports legal compliance, emergency response and safe transport, while errors can result in delays, enforcement action, fines and increased risk.

Zero Emission Vehicle funding

Q. We hear a lot of companies benefitting from various grants to support purchasing electric vehicles and infrastructure, where can we find out what we can benefit from?

A. There are several government schemes available. The Zero Emission Grants reduce the upfront cost of eligible electric commercial vehicles, while the Depot Charging Scheme provides funding towards the installation of charging infrastructure at fleet depots, subject to funding availability and application windows.

Logistics UK regularly updates members on available support, including a briefing note. We continue to advocate for longer-term funding, particularly for SMEs, to make the transition to electric fleets more affordable and accessible.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.

Have your say

Logistics UK works to ensure the voice of the logistics industry is heard by government and decision-makers. By taking part in our surveys, members provide the evidence and insight that help shape policy discussions, consultation responses and industry campaigns.

CLOSING SOON! Members, please take part in the Logistics Performance Tracker Q3 Survey and share your views.

This short, confidential survey is designed to gather insights into the real-world performance, challenges and opportunities across the UK logistics sector.

Along with our baseline indicators on economic outlook and supply chain performance, questions this quarter focus on extreme weather and business resilience, regional devolution and strategic planning, and contingency planning.

Responses are used to support our policy work and engagement with key government officials.

Take the survey here