250312 Letter updating members regarding Regular and Special Regular Protocol (UKCOA)
Dear Member,
UK-based coach operators running international services will see changes come into effect from 1 April 2025 as the Regular and Special Regular (RSR) Protocol replaces existing arrangements under the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). These updates primarily impact timetabled coach services and those carrying specific groups, such as school transport.
The RSR Protocol largely replicates the temporary TCA provisions, ensuring continued access for UK operators to the EU and beyond. From April, UK operators will be able to run authorised RSR services to countries such as Albania, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Moldova, and Ukraine, in addition to EU member states. While this transition is expected to be smooth, operators should be aware of the revised authorisation process through the DVSA (for GB-based operators) and the DVA (for Northern Ireland operators).
For services between Northern Ireland and Ireland, specific provisions will remain under the TCA. These include allowances for cabotage within Ireland for RSR services, transit rights for journeys passing through Ireland to reach Northern Ireland, and occasional services picking up and setting down passengers in Ireland.
Cabotage rules are also changing. From 1 April, EU operators will no longer be allowed to conduct cabotage operations in the UK. Similarly, UK operators remain restricted from undertaking cabotage in the EU, meaning services must start or end in the UK.
For operators running occasional services, no changes are expected, and existing requirements for Interbus Journey Forms or TCA Transit Forms will continue. However, non-liberalised occasional services (those not covered by Interbus or the TCA) will still require separate authorisation through the DVSA.
The DfT has confirmed that existing RSR authorisations issued under the TCA will remain valid for their approved duration.
Full details of the changes are attached in the notification sent to the UKCOA by DfT.
