Running a ‘Small HGV’ Operation? Which Drivers’ Hour Rules Apply and Why
The rules that will apply to a particular HGV operation will depend upon the vehicles that an operator is using as well as what an operator is doing with them. Continue reading→
New Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness – what it means to Operators
The Guide is published to offer guidance to operators on the steps that they ought to take in order to ensure that their vehicles are safe on the road.Continue reading→
Trojan Horse or new Era for Safety Compliance?
The DVSA's (relatively) new Earned Recognition Scheme is being promoted within the Traffic Commissioners' Annual Report as a way to improve road safety by taking "open and trustworthy operators" off the DVSA's radar.Continue reading→
Office of the Traffic Commissioner – Consultation on Industry Guidance
The Senior Traffic Commissioner has today launched a consultation on key guidance for transport operators.Continue reading→
Plating and Testing Exemptions – 2018 Changes
For decades, many categories of "specialised" heavy vehicles have been exempt from the requirements to have a valid Goods Vehicle Testing Certificate as well as to have plates fitted which display the limits set for their maximum operating weights.Continue reading→
The Why’s and Wherefore’s of AdBlue – what Commercial Vehicle Operators need to Know.
For commercial operators, emissions outputs are critical: the emissions standard of a vehicle is measured by reference to its output of a number of pollutants, with NOx being a crucial component.Continue reading→
Mobile Phone Penalty Increases – One Year On
The 1st March 2018 marked the anniversary of the increase in severity of fixed penalties for using a mobile phone while driving, increasing this from three points and a £100 fine to six points and a £200 fine.Continue reading→
EU Ruling on Weekly Rest in Vehicle Cabs
The European Court of Justice has ruled that HGV drivers may not take full 45 hour weekly rest periods in the cabs of their vehicles, and that national governments are entitled to penalise drivers who contravene that prohibition.Continue reading→
Financial Standing Rates for Transport Operators – 2018
Each year the finance that an HGV or PSV operator must have readily available in order to satisfy its legal obligation to be of "appropriate financial standing" is reviewed.Continue reading→
BREXIT – How will Article 50 affect the Transport Sector?
The UK government has yet to decide exactly when the UK will part company with the EU and the basis upon which they do so (and whether or not a 'so-called deal' is actually done) is still a long way down the road.Continue reading→
Double Penalties for Motorists Caught Using Mobile Phones
Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling has warned that under measures which came into force on 1st March 2017, motorists will face losing their licence if they are caught using their phone whilst driving.Continue reading→
HGV Price Fixing Cartel – Could YOU Get Some Money Back?
In July 2016, MAN, Volvo/Renault, Daimler, Iveco and DAF admitted to participating in an illegal price fixing cartel which operated to fix prices between 1997 and 2011. Scania is the target of an ongoing investigation.Continue reading→