Newmercman…As they say, never a true word was spoken in jest. Thats the good thing about the EU enlargement, the fact we can screw our own government, and do it legally. For a very long time, our haulage industry have been calling out for help, the government, dont matter which one, have turned their backs, so now at last every haulier, can fight back without repercussions.
The cost is an enormous savings, but a great loss to the UK government, and serves them right. We have been asking for a fair playing field, they said they would help, that was 3 years ago when they said foreign trucks would pay road tax, its still not being implemented, and its gonna come back and bite them. For when its introduced, foreign firms will avoid this country like the plague, it may even benefit us, by sending over unacompanied trailers, giving more work to the uk haulier, like a lot of the Eastern bloc hauliers used to do, when they were accompanied by a minder in case they absconded. ha ha they were the days.
How and how much does doing this save?
Why are firms not making money? Mainly because they run round for not enough to run a lorry on. So they are doing this just to save a few quid to make it pay.
The only one winning are the people moving freight as they are getting it done below the real cost while the haulier is doing all this just to stand still.
stevieboy308:
How and how much does doing this save?
Depends if you have a British driver on proper wages of a eastern euro on eastern euro wages
Well,one haulier says he had to keep £25 grand in the bank, for his 5 trucks, in Bulgaria, its £500, so therefore its released the 25 grand, to reinvest in his company. He also saves £17.5 thou on operators licencing, and he will also save on road tax, so there are a lot of savings to be made. Just as there were when a lot of Brits reregistered in Holland, so the EasternBloc is the way forward, as its a lot more savings. And now that they have full membership, you dont need residency,. only a company set up ( which can be done for you ) and company taxation is also very low.
I worked for someone in the uk on dutch plates about 10 years ago for two weeks. Why was they flagged out? They were piles of crap motors that were falling apart paying crap wages foing crap work. Thankfully someone got fed up of been undercut and set fire to the piles of ■■■■.
Anyway if its a UK operator why aint there regular drivers taking them down?
here in Estonia, it’s €0 in the bank, about a hundred or so euros for the licence (5years) and around €700-800 for the traffic insurance per year. MOT once a year, no inspections inbetween. road tax was less than €80/year two years ago.
kr79:
Why are firms not making money? Mainly because they run round for not enough to run a lorry on. So they are doing this just to save a few quid to make it pay.
The only one winning are the people moving freight as they are getting it done below the real cost while the haulier is doing all this just to stand still.
This is not a new phenomenon Kev, as you well know, the Eastern European “invasion” hasn’t changed things, it may have accelerated the decline in rates, but they were going down anyway, it was only a matter of time. As has been said many times before, the only reason we had it in the first place was because we were cheaper than our European neighbours anyway, so it’s definitely the pot calling the kettle black when we ■■■■■ about the current situation 
Kevin, as you know me personally, you are well aware on my views regarding the way governments are controlled by the multinationals. As things stand at the moment, what we’re seeing with the integration of cheaper labour from the East is the tip of the iceberg, every government decision made regarding trade or taxes has already been made in a boardroom by the multinational puppeteers that control our politicians 
Truckyboy may I ask how you got all this knowledge about this is it an interest of yours or is it limeyphill says.
I take a lot of Phils comments with a pinch of salt- However Truckyboy has a known history and I have met him and not known him to lie- so suspect there is some truth in this project- the morals of doing what the plan is - is not for me to judge- especially since I was more than happy in the past to work for a UK company that flagged out all its trucks to Belgium
The owner drivers on this forum will know how long it takes to get an o’licence in the UK, also how much it costs, operating centre, jumping through hoops to do what? Work for a living, that’s all.
In Bulgaria, You buy or register a lorry and get an o’licence in 3 days. As simple as that. It used to be like that in Holland, That’s why it was common to flag out to there.
As for the taking jobs off the Brits. It won’t. It’s British drivers taking the units and bring them back here to work between here and the other EU countries, Most will have British drivers in them.
bigtruck:
Truckyboy may I ask how you got all this knowledge about this is it an interest of yours or is it limeyphill says.
I’m sure that truckyboy will give a full answer,unless he’s already on the way to BG.In the meantime,just have a look at his location. 
Sorry I’m a bit thick regarding his location.
OK,no problem : truckyboy
SENIOR MEMBER
Posts: 3000
Joined: Sat Nov 08, 2003 4:08 pm
Location: Chatham and Bulgaria
limeyphil:
The owner drivers on this forum will know how long it takes to get an o’licence in the UK, also how much it costs, operating centre, jumping through hoops to do what? Work for a living, that’s all.
In Bulgaria, You buy or register a lorry and get an o’licence in 3 days. As simple as that. It used to be like that in Holland, That’s why it was common to flag out to there.
As for the taking jobs off the Brits. It won’t. It’s British drivers taking the units and bring them back here to work between here and the other EU countries, Most will have British drivers in them.
Nice one
limeyphil:
We are taking 2 units to Bulgaria on Thursday, I’m driving one and a mate is taking the other. It looks like this could be ongoing work if everything goes ok.
I’ve seen how many newbies want to give Euro work a crack. So if anyone with a cat C licence wants to share the driving and earn a few quid, Then send me a PM with your number.
It won’t pay a fortune as what i pay you will come out of my cut. However, If it does turn out to be regular work you would end up taking one yourself and earn full wages. The wages are quite good, That’s how i can afford to pay for the extra driver.
What about insurance or the trucks ? I have 1 to be delivered too?
the problem was explaiined to me some 20 years ago…
when you allow the big companies (DHL, STOBBIES, NOBBIES, ETC) to monopolise the market and run some contracts at a loss just to prevent another firm doing it and pay for them through the more proifitable contracts.
and when you add in cabotage and then times that by the british government using vehicle tax and fuel duty to pay for there own expenses it equals dead UK haulage industry.
read it and weep gents.
I’ve come across a few of these British/Bulgarian hybrids and I can safely say I’ve yet to meet one that speaks the queens English , and knows how to use deodorant, British drivers in Bulgarian trucks! Yeh right
newmercman:
kr79:
Why are firms not making money? Mainly because they run round for not enough to run a lorry on. So they are doing this just to save a few quid to make it pay.
The only one winning are the people moving freight as they are getting it done below the real cost while the haulier is doing all this just to stand still.This is not a new phenomenon Kev, as you well know, the Eastern European “invasion” hasn’t changed things, it may have accelerated the decline in rates, but they were going down anyway, it was only a matter of time. As has been said many times before, the only reason we had it in the first place was because we were cheaper than our European neighbours anyway, so it’s definitely the pot calling the kettle black when we ■■■■■ about the current situation
Kevin, as you know me personally, you are well aware on my views regarding the way governments are controlled by the multinationals. As things stand at the moment, what we’re seeing with the integration of cheaper labour from the East is the tip of the iceberg, every government decision made regarding trade or taxes has already been made in a boardroom by the multinational puppeteers that control our politicians
I totaly aggree its the corpriations that control things. Give it 10 years when bg and ro labour isnt so cheap turkey may or may not be allowed in the eu but turks will probaly be given free right to work in the EU
Eurolink:
limeyphil:
We are taking 2 units to Bulgaria on Thursday, I’m driving one and a mate is taking the other. It looks like this could be ongoing work if everything goes ok.
I’ve seen how many newbies want to give Euro work a crack. So if anyone with a cat C licence wants to share the driving and earn a few quid, Then send me a PM with your number.
It won’t pay a fortune as what i pay you will come out of my cut. However, If it does turn out to be regular work you would end up taking one yourself and earn full wages. The wages are quite good, That’s how i can afford to pay for the extra driver.What about insurance or the trucks ? I have 1 to be delivered too?
The insurance going out is supposed to be all in order, if not it won’t be happening.
I know it’ll all be in order coming back. The new BG company, o’licence, registration etc comes as a package.
Another bonus about Bulgaria is the VAT and tax system. It’s very straight forward.