Italy slows down hauliers with red tape
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COMMON Market officials have been asked to help international hauliers to clear a path through a new jungle of road transport laws which will severely handicap heavy transport entering Italy. The Italians are past masters in the creation of bureaucratic obstacles, but on this occasion they have surpassed themselves. Under a law which came into effect last month, all traffic with a total weight of more than 44 tonnes on at least five axles must obtain a special permit. Applicants must provide: • Three sketches of the vehicle plus load, from above, front, and one side.
• A questionnaire, completed by the vehicle's manufacturer, which must be countersigned by a lawyer.
• Photocopies of the log book and other papers, with proof of authenticity from a local authority.
• A declaration by the consignee, on office notepaper, of the weight, dimensions, and route.
When hauliers have rounded up all the information, the Italians are delaying the issue of permits.
A spokesman for Germany's hauliers said that the regulations appear to have one aim — to make life difficult for Italy's foreign competitors.