Tour operators warn that new biometric enforcement of the Schengen 90/180-day stay limit for UK coach drivers will slash capacity for educational and battlefield tours. Industry sources told *The Sun* that some firms could lose 50 % of business once the EU’s Entry/Exit System (EES) comes fully online in April.
Unlike air passengers, drivers accumulate Schengen days every time they cross by ferry or tunnel. With peak season requiring weekly runs, many reach the 90-day cap by early summer, forcing cancellations or expensive sub-contracting to EU operators.
![EU 90-day rule threatens British school trips as coach drivers hit time-limit wall]()
For operators looking to stay ahead of these changes, VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) provides tools to track each driver’s remaining Schengen allowance, obtain any required permits, and receive real-time alerts on EES developments—reducing the risk of last-minute tour disruptions.
The Road Haulage Association is lobbying for a “professional driver permit” to exempt commercial trips, arguing that otherwise European rivals will pick up both continental and domestic work—hollowing out UK jobs and tax revenues.
Schools and universities should request early confirmation of transport providers’ driver-day balances and consider rail alternatives for itineraries after May. Insurers may also tighten cancellation clauses once EES enforcement begins.
Unlike air passengers, drivers accumulate Schengen days every time they cross by ferry or tunnel. With peak season requiring weekly runs, many reach the 90-day cap by early summer, forcing cancellations or expensive sub-contracting to EU operators.
For operators looking to stay ahead of these changes, VisaHQ’s UK portal (https://www.visahq.com/united-kingdom/) provides tools to track each driver’s remaining Schengen allowance, obtain any required permits, and receive real-time alerts on EES developments—reducing the risk of last-minute tour disruptions.
The Road Haulage Association is lobbying for a “professional driver permit” to exempt commercial trips, arguing that otherwise European rivals will pick up both continental and domestic work—hollowing out UK jobs and tax revenues.
Schools and universities should request early confirmation of transport providers’ driver-day balances and consider rail alternatives for itineraries after May. Insurers may also tighten cancellation clauses once EES enforcement begins.
