Permit system for freight heading to the Port Of Dover

Measures were introduced in 2024 to ensure hauliers comply with Operation Brock

Why was this system introduced?

A permit system was introduced to prevent EU bound freight vehicles from avoiding the queues in Operation Brock as they head to the Port of Dover.
Whilst the vast majority of freight vehicles bound for the Port of Dover adhere to the rules of Operation Brock, a minority skipped the queue, causing delays elsewhere, affecting Kent residents and businesses.
Enforcing compliance to ensure freight vehicles follow the correct route and do not circumnavigate Operation Brock reduces congestion.
It also reduces the need for the sudden closures of the A20 Roundhill Tunnel and helps keep Kent moving.

When does it come into force?

When Operation Brock is ‘Active with Control’ (i.e. when the queue of freight is held), permits are issued to all freight vehicles in the queue to the Port of Dover.

How will the permit system work?

Freight vehicles MUST follow the correct route on the M20 and collect a permit at the front of Operation Brock. If they do not, they WILL NOT be able to access the Port of Dover.

Permits will only apply to freight vehicles going to the Port of Dover and will be issued at the front of the Operation Brock queue.
EU bound HGVs will then have their Permits checked at the front of Dover Traffic Access Protocol (TAP). If vehicles have a valid permit, they will be allowed to continue their onward journey to the port.
If they DO NOT have a valid permit, they will be turned back to M20 J7 to join the Operation Brock queue.

REMEMBER: No permit means No access to the Port of Dover

What happens if hauliers try to bypass this system?

In addition to turning them back if they have no permit, Kent Police and the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can issue on-the-spot £300 fines to freight vehicles caught attempting to avoid the traffic management system. Teams are stationed at key points on the Kent road network to enforce the legislation and redirect freight traffic heading to the Port of Dover back to the Operation Brock queue on the M20.

What arrangements are in place for local hauliers and deliveries?

Local freight vehicles and deliveries WILL NOT be stopped at Dover TAP, but allowed to continue their journey, with passenger and local traffic, onwards into Dover.
Kent hauliers that qualify for the Local Haulier Permit will have received one. These allow holders to by-pass Operation Brock but not Dover TAP. Local hauliers must still join the Dover TAP queue to access the port.
There is no need to apply for a Local Haulier Permit as, if you fall within the catchment area, the Kent and Medway Resilience Forum already has your details.

Further information

For more details visit our Haulier Permit System FAQs page

For enquiries about these measures email: ees@kent.gov.uk

For more details about KMRF's traffic management system visit our Traffic Management FAQs page