Hauliers in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale face charges of up to £1000 a year more to transport goods if Scotland votes to leave the UK.
That’s the warning from local MP David Mundell as a government report warns separation would lead to higher costs for motorists.
The report highlights the impact of next year’s legislation which will introduce a charge on hauliers for wear and tear of the UK’s roads network.
UK companies will have the bill offset against other road taxes, so nine out of 10 HGVs will cost no more to run.
However HGVs from other countries will have to pay the UK treasury up to £10 a day, up to a maximum of £1000 per year, plus any domestic levies.
And if Scotland votes for independence next year that means this charge will have to be met by Scottish hauliers moving goods across the rest of the UK.
Mr Mundell warned that this charge would place a substantial extra burden on Scottish businesses that relied on moving their goods by road south of the Border, not to mention the extra paperwork involved.
The government report has also warned that under independence Scotland’s taxpayers will face the cost of setting up their own version of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency to administer Scottish driving licences and MOTs.
Mr Mundell said: “Every time we look under the bonnet of independence we find something else problematic. Motorists, be they in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale or Tweeddale, just want to drive on the UKs roads with a minimum of fuss. And a separate Scotland will hit operators in Dumfriesshire and the Borders especially badly. Many local firms may cross the Border several times in a week dealing with local customers, so they will face higher charges.
“Ordinary people in Scotland don’t want new charges, new driver licences or new MOTs. Independence would bring massive change to every aspect of Scottish life and it will not be a change for the better.