Drive Personnel and Brexit

By admin | November 12, 2019

With so many of the HGV drivers working in the UK hailing from the EU, it is important to us that our drivers understand the steps that they need to take to continue living and working in the UK after Brexit. 

About the EU Settlement Scheme 

The EU settlement scheme is an outline of steps that allow EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their families to get the UK immigration status that they need to continue to live and work in the UK after Brexit.

Eligible drivers will need to apply for the scheme to confirm their work status after Brexit. If you are not a UK or Irish citizen, you and your family must apply for the EU settlement scheme by 30th June 2021 to continue working unaffected.  

In order to apply for settlement, you will need three key pieces of information: 

  • Proof of identity:  in the form of a passport or national identity card 
  • Proof of residence:  existing government data will be used and if a National Insurance number is provided this can be checked against HMRC data to check if you are eligible for settled or pre-settled status 
  • Criminality checks:  minor offences such as driving offences will not affect your application 

Who is eligible to apply? 

If you have been a resident in the UK for five continuous years or more, you are eligible for settled status. This means that there will be no time limit on how long you can stay in the UK. 

If you have been a resident in the UK for less than five continuous years you will be eligible for pre-settled status. 

You do not need to apply if you have indefinite leave to remain in the UK (ILR). 

Deadlines 

You must apply for the EU Settlement Scheme by 30th June 2021 (or in the event of a no-deal, 31st December 2020). It is unclear how the ongoing Brexit discussions will affect your work status in the UK, but we strongly recommend applying for the scheme regardless of the Brexit outcome to secure your status here in the UK.  

About Drive Personnel 

Drive Personnel is a specialist driver recruitment agency specialising in the HGV driving sector along the South Coast. Whether you are seeking employment as an HGV driver in the Southampton, Eastleigh, Portsmouth, Gosport or Fareham areas or looking to recruit drivers for your business, Drive Personnel can offer a 24/7 personal service from our local office. Call us on 02380 695 600 or visit our website for more information on recruitment or vacancies.

Posted in Driver Information