Well, you've bought a truck. What's next? Now, you can't let the bureaucracy overwhelm you, and there's no denying it - there's quite a bit of it to deal with when registering a vehicle. Fortunately, we've put together a practical guide to make the whole process a little clearer - one that we would have loved to get after buying our first truck ourselves (and preferably even before!). It describes the steps we simply have to go through in order to legally and effectively run a transport business and comply with the law. Registering your truck is a must, no matter what country you operate your business in.
No matter where you operate and what countries your truck will be travelling through, one thing is certain: It must be registered. This process is not much different from registering any other vehicle and usually involves fairly general steps.
The first is to ensure you have the full documentation for the truck - this is indispensable. Whether new or used, bought at home or imported from abroad, your truck must come with a full set of documents. The following may prove useful for registration:
The above are just the elementary documents which you will certainly have to collect to successfully register a vehicle. However, you should always find out exactly what is required of you at the place where you register your truck and prepare for your appointment accordingly.
If you have all the required paperwork, registering a truck takes only a few steps:
Step 1: Check that you are sure you have all the necessary documents. After all, who among us has never gone back to the office several times to hand in extra paperwork?
Step 2: Fill in the application form and pay any required fees - mail or deliver the completed form in person, as required by the respective authority.
Step 3 :Have your truck inspected - if necessary, have it serviced
Step 4 (and certainly the most pleasant!): Collect your new number plates and vehicle registration card. The whole procedure usually doesn't take too long (up to 7 days) if all the documents are correct.
The vehicle registration process can be somewhat more complex if your truck will carry very large loads or be used for special purposes. In such cases, the road transport regulations that define the documents required for registration are key. These may include paperwork that goes beyond the standard set listed above. For example, you may need such things as:
If you are aware that your business involves transporting cargo that may require special documentation, it is worth finding out what you need early on so that you can go through the process smoothly, avoiding delays, stress, fines and, in the worst-case scenario, having your vehicle declared non-roadworthy.
The larger your fleet is, the more challenging it is to manage it efficiently. Valid technical documentation is invaluable if you want to ensure that all your cars have up-to-date paperwork and meet road transport requirements. Using Eurowag's fleet management software will be helpful in this. Imagine not having to monitor inspection dates or stress about missing one. Why yes, it is possible! Our system allows you to enter and track maintenance schedules, store maintenance reports, manage weight certificates and stay on top of your documentation. This kind of automation is invaluable these days and helps you avoid many unpleasantries.
Apart from specific documentation, you must also bear in mind the need to meet various types of compliance requirements. And do your best to obtain the relevant permits, of course. These may include oversize transport permits, which ensure the safety of the infrastructure.
If your fleet will be travelling on numerous international routes, it is essential to check the environmental regulations along their length. It may be that further tests or certifications (e.g. regarding emission standards) will be required. This is precisely where our TMS system comes in handy, allowing you to continuously monitor the compliance of your fleet's documents with changing regulations.
That's easy to say, but how do you do it? How do you keep your fleet's paperwork in order, especially if you are about to expand? There are several ways to do this:
Invest in a Fleet Management System (FMS) - systems like Eurowag's Fleet Management Software really are the future, bringing you convenience regardless of the size of your company. FMS allows you to easily store and update all your documentation, set up automatic alerts for necessary vehicle maintenance, permit renewal deadlines or any other important matters. Moreover, our solutions enable you to remotely download driver card and tachograph data via telematics/FMS, eliminating the hassle of managing this information manually. This gives you full control over your records, allowing you to save time and avoid potential fines for outdated data.
The beginnings can be difficult. We are aware that the bureaucracy in the transport business can be overwhelming, but this process gets faster and faster with each new vehicle registered. The key is to complete your paperwork diligently, and to be aware that road transport requirements are changing and that you need to keep up to date with them.
Our FMS solutions are very supportive when it comes to truck registration and compliance. Have we already mentioned the Eurowag Fuel Card, which helps you manage fuel expenses? Well, we have now.
