Taking part in research on the EU Entry/Exit System
The Department for Transport (DfT) has commissioned the National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) to carry out research with GB HGV and coach operators about the impacts of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
This page explains what the research is about, why you have been invited, what taking part involves, and how your information will be used.
What is this research about?
The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) has changed how GB commercial drivers enter and exit the Schengen area. It replaces manual passport stamping with biometric registration and a digital record of time spent in the Schengen area.
DfT is developing its evidence base on how EES is affecting commercial road transport operators in practice. The research will explore topics such as journey planning, staffing, scheduling, compliance with the Schengen Short Stay limit (90 days in any 180-day period), costs and any operational changes organisations have made in response.
This is the third phase of a wider programme of research. Earlier phases explored operators' expectations and early experiences of EES. This phase will examine the impact of the EES on GB commercial road transport operators now that EES has been fully implemented since 10 April 2026.
Who is carrying out the research?
The research is being carried out by NatCen, an independent, not-for-profit social research organisation.
NatCen is working with Field Locker, which is supporting survey delivery, including distributing invitations, hosting the survey, undertaking telephone follow-up where required and administering participant incentives.
Why have I been invited?
You have been invited because your organisation appears on the Vehicle Operator Licensing database as the holder of a Standard International Operator Licence.
We are interested in hearing from a wide range of HGV and coach operators, including organisations that currently operate between Great Britain and the EU or Schengen area, as well as those that have reduced, paused or stopped this activity.
Invitations are usually addressed to Transport Managers. However, if another member of your organisation, such as a Director or Partner, is better placed to answer questions about your organisation's operations and experience of EES, please feel free to pass this invitation on to them.
What does taking part involve?
Survey
Taking part involves completing an online survey about your organisation’s experience of EES.
The survey asks about topics including:
- your organisation's international operations;
- the impact of EES on journey planning, scheduling and compliance;
- staffing, recruitment and driver deployment;
- operational costs and business impacts;
- any changes your organisation has made in response to EES; and
- whether you would be willing to be contacted about an optional follow-up interview.
The survey will take around 15 minutes to complete online, or 20-25 minutes to complete by phone.
As a thank you for taking part, respondents who successfully complete the survey will receive a £10 shopping Love2Shop voucher.
Optional follow-up interview
At the end of the survey, you will be asked whether you would be willing to be contacted about a follow-up interview.
Agreeing to be contacted is entirely optional and does not commit you to taking part.
If you decide to participate, the interview will last up to 60 minutes and will take place by telephone or Microsoft Teams at a time that suits you.
Participants who complete an interview will receive a £75 Love2Shop voucher as a thank you for their time.
Do I have to take part?
No. Taking part is entirely voluntary.
You do not have to take part if you do not wish to. If you decide to participate, you may choose not to answer any question, and you can stop taking part at any time.
Choosing not to participate will not affect your organisation in any way.
Why should I take part?
Your experiences will help DfT develop a better understanding of how EES is affecting commercial road transport operators across Great Britain.
Hearing from operators with different experiences, including those who continue to operate internationally and those who no longer do so, will help ensure the research reflects the diversity of the sector and supports future policy development and engagement with industry.
How did we get your contact details?
The survey sample has been developed using the Vehicle Operator Licensing database, which contains details of organisations holding Standard International Operator Licences and associated contacts, such as Transport Managers, Directors and Partners.
Field Locker has assisted NatCen by matching publicly and commercially available contact information to the sample so that invitations can be sent.
Some participants may also access the survey through industry organisations using an open survey link.
How will my information be used?
The information you provide will be used for research purposes only.
NatCen will analyse survey and interview responses to understand how experiences of EES vary across different types of operators. To support this analysis, survey responses may be linked with information already held on the Vehicle Operator Licensing database, such as operator type, region and fleet size.
Research findings will be reported to DfT and may be published. Reports will present findings in summary form and will not identify individual participants or organisations.
How will my information be protected?
Your information will be handled securely and in line with UK GDPR and the Data Protection Act 2018. Access to personal data will be restricted to authorised project staff who need it for the purposes of the research, and secure transfer methods will be used when data is shared between project partners.
Further information about how your personal data will be collected, used, stored, retained and protected is available in the study privacy notice.
Will anyone know what I have said?
Your responses will be treated in confidence.
DfT is the data controller for this research. NatCen and Field Locker are data processors acting on DfT's behalf.
Only authorised members of the research team will have access to identifiable information collected during the study.
Findings will be reported in a way that does not identify individual participants or organisations. If commercially sensitive information is shared during the research, it will be treated confidentially and included in reports only in a way that protects participants' identities.
What happens if I agree to a follow-up interview?
If you indicate that you are willing to be contacted, NatCen or Field Locker will contact you to explain the interview in more detail.
At that stage, you can decide whether or not you wish to take part.
If you choose to participate, you will receive further information before the interview begins and will be asked for your consent. During the interview, you may decline to answer any question and may stop the interview at any time.
What if I need help completing the survey?
If you have questions about the research or need help taking part, please contact the NatCen research team.
NatCen research team: EES@natcen.ac.uk
Telephone: 020 7549 7113
Privacy notice: EES - Privacy Notice
Survey link: http://fieldlocker.co/ees
Closing date: 27 November 2026