After weeks of uncertainty, the DVLA has announced that the D4 medical requirement will be suspended for 12 months.   Commercial drivers aged 45 and over may now forgo the need to have a driver medical to renew their driving entitlement.   This suspension is temporary, and has been given a provisional lifespan of 12...Read More

HOW TO PREPARE It’s perfectly normal to be a bit nervous in the runup to your hearing. But there are things you can do to help you keep a cool head. As a helping hand, here’s a shortlist of things you can do before the day to ensure things go smoothly…· Ensure that you have...Read More

Operators! Newsflash: your roller brake tests are not worth the paper they are written on. What does your brake testing schedule look like? Maybe you have four brake tests undertaken each year, or perhaps you do a brake test every other safety inspection? If so, you are not alone; in fact, the majority of maintenance...Read More

The Driver & Vehicle Licencing Agency (DVLA) has issued a three-month deadline for employers of fleet drivers to ensure they are compliant with the new guidelines regarding licence-checking consent forms.   More than 2 million fleet drivers are expected to have to sign the new forms.  By giving consent, drivers allow their employers to validate...Read More

The Traffic Commissioner has issued a reminder to operators regarding their drivers’ hours responsibilities.   In the run-up to Earned Recognition, the TC’s office brought drivers’ hours responsibilities to the attention of ‘O’ Licence holders in the UK.   As confusion around the new fixed penalty rules peaked, the TC’s office published guidance on legal...Read More

Britain’s largest trade union, Unite, has released shocking statistics highlighting the link between high HGV accident fatality rates and a lack of roadside facilities.   As part of their campaign for more facilities on UK roads, the union published that 109 incidents involving the deaths of lorry drivers and passengers were not fully investigated.  ...Read More

The DVSA’s made changes to the Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness.   By doing so, the agency hopes that it has made some of the more complex areas of the guide clearer to operators.   The changes, as published in the Moving On blog, involve the following sections.       The Inspection Safety Graph Because...Read More

Late in March, DVSA published its annual enforcement figures.   The data taken from 2016/17 demonstrates a drop in total Drivers’ Hours Infringements from the previous year.   In 2016/17, DVSA carried out close to 90,000 checks on commercial vehicles. Among the most notable findings was that 5.3% of drivers pulled over for checks were...Read More

Recent reports have indicated that within a year, most hauliers will have to pay an additional 20% toward the HGV Road User Levy.   The announcement, made last week by Transport Minister Jesse Norman, details the planned hike. It will target over half of all UK-registered pre-Euro VI trucks.   Taken in context, 56% of...Read More

Road haulage industry leaders are registering a win as a brand new 100-vehicle secure truck stop opens in Scunthorpe.   On Woodhouse Road, opposite the British Steel Works, the Scunthorpe Truck Stop offers secure 24-hour parking facilities for HGVs.   Previously, lorry drivers in the Scunthorpe area had to make do with laybys or industrial...Read More

For the third year running, FORS has confirmed there will be no change to its pricing for subscription and audits.   The move’s expected to boost the appeal of the scheme to smaller operators. By building on the momentum of the decision to scrap Gold evidencing fees, FORS is proving its value to operators of...Read More

Transport for London is facing accusations of abuse over its wielding of FORS accreditation power.   In a shocking move, the RHA has threatened legal action against the organisation, arguing that Transport for London’s (TfL’s) monopolisation of FORS authority is arresting the emergence of competitor schemes.   In particular, the association cited TfL’s contracting out...Read More

Eight months have passed since the introduction of the so-called apprenticeship levy.   Many businesses, however, are still unsure as to what it involves, and how it might affect them.   Currently, only firms with payrolls upward of £3m have access to the funding pot into which they are paying. This, of course, has excluded...Read More

Drivers across the UK are been warned to watch out for text messages from scammers purporting to be from the DVLA.   The so-called DVLA scammers are targeting drivers by sending location-specific texts.   “FINAL REQUEST: ‘DVLA Swansea have been trying to contact you, Click below for more information.”     The DVLA’s since announced...Read More

Atop a list of all vehicles checked recently by the DVSA for fraudulent emission devices, UK-registered lorries reign supreme.   In the four-month period between August and November last year, DVSA also discovered that 1 in 12 of all vehicles, UK-based or otherwise, were fitted with emission cheat devices.   Of the 3,735 vehicles stopped,...Read More

The Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain have urged hauliers to exercise increased vigilance in matters of compliance.   They say many operators of lorries, busses and coaches are failing to prioritise compliance, according to their latest annual report.   The TC’s office recently submitted its 2016/17 findings to the Secretary of State for Transport. Among...Read More

It’s the first week back from the Christmas break. So we’ll kick off 2018 with something a little off-kilter.   It’s some happy news to brighten your January.   No, it’s not quite a marriage… Though it is an alliance of sorts, and a pretty special one at that.   FORS Associates – An Introduction...Read More

DVSA’s announced a change to its pilot scheme – and it’s good news for the operators involved.     From 31st January 2018, vehicles run by firms taking part in the trial will no longer suffer routine stoppages.   Because the scheme’s kept its list of operators confidential, enforcement agents are unable to identify whether...Read More

In road haulage, the driver skills shortage is a matter of increasing urgency for trade bodies and businesses.     While recent efforts to address the issue have been praised by the government, a worrying gulf between the needs of the industry, and the manpower available to resolve them, remains.   Chartwise previously reported on...Read More

The Budget Statement is expected to deliver some troubling news for hauliers, in the form a 1p per litre (ppl) hike in diesel duty.   The Chancellor of the Exchequer is also said to be considering cutting petrol duty by the same amount.   While many believe this to be the latest move in the...Read More

Brake testing best practice is hitting the haulage headlines once again.   This time, the Traffic Commissioners of Great Britain have issued a warning to operators: it is vital they up the standard of their brake performance testing.   Concerns have risen in the TC’s office after a spate of roadside and premises inspections found...Read More

According to a leaked Home Office document, the majority of EU workers will be prevented from entering the UK directly after Brexit.   The document, which proposes an immediate end to the free movement of labour, has been slammed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA).   UK logistics hinges on the availability of foreign drivers...Read More

Calls for the State to address the lack of HGV drivers have increased.   The dip in the number of qualified drivers since the beginning of 2017 is causing alarm among industry bodies. In fact, the severity of the shortfall has brought the continued well-being of the sector into question.   One of those industry...Read More

Originally due to wrap-up last month, the Earned Recognition pilot scheme has been extended until February 2018.   Launched in April 2017, the pilot was given 6 months to identify the most exemplar operators on UK roads.   The DVSA, however, has decided to get more operators involved.   One of the factors discouraging operators...Read More

Last year over 440 lorries entered the UK with manipulated tachographs, the Driver Vehicle & Standards Agency (DVSA) has claimed.   A further 400 drivers were believed to be breaking the law, many potentially using ‘interrupters’ to switch off their devices. By using interrupters, a driver can drive while appearing to be on a break....Read More

The votes are cast: the results are in Brexit it is, then. Now that the decision has been made, the UK begins the tortuous task of separating from the EU. Whether this was the right or the wrong way to go is a matter of personal belief. What is known universally, however, is that Britain...Read More

Relaxation in Drivers’ Hours Following calls from the Scottish government the Department for Transport has agreed to a temporary and limited, exceptional relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours and working-time rules for: drivers involved in the distribution of freight and passenger services within scope of the regulation whose journeys are delayed or extended due...Read More

New First-Aid Driver CPC Course approved We are happy to announce that we now have a Driver CPC course perfect for both HGV and PSV drivers alike. This course counts as 7 hours towards Driver CPC as well as giving all attendees a level 2 qualification in First-Aid.   This 7 hour course covers: Vulnerable...Read More

The Petroleum Driver Passport (PDP) is now entering it’s second year Originally developed by The Downstream Oil Distribution Forum (DODF), a partnership of industry bodies, employers and trade unions, the PDP is an industry initiative backed by the government to ensure a consistent high standard in the training of all tanker drivers in the industry....Read More

HGV Levy collects more than twice the projected funds One year on and the HGV levy on non UK vehicles using our roads has been a huge success. The levy which was introduced in April 2014 was expected to generate £20 million from all foreign HGV’s weighing more than 12 tonnes. Either someone was being...Read More

New Speed Limits for single and dual carriageways in England and Wales   From the 6th of April 2015 the speed limits for HGV’s over 7.5 tonnes on both single and dual carriageways in England and Wales will be increased to the following:   Single carriageways – Increased from 40mph to 50mph Dual carriageways –...Read More

The DVSA have revealed plans for a recognition scheme for all operators Sound familiar? Well it should, the DVSA announced this week that it is currently looking at the potential of “An Earned Recognition Process” for operators. In a statement to Commercial Motor a spokesperson also said that the DVSA were in regular talks with...Read More

Your operator licence is your business Whether you are running on a restricted, national or international operator licence you know that keeping that licence is key to running your business. When you apply for your operator licence you are agreeing to maintain certain standards and the DVSA and office of the traffic commissioner will hold...Read More

First of all – Do you know your current OCRS? If you don’t then the first thing you need to do is register online by visiting the DVSA Online Report Services . You will need your O licence number to complete the registration form and then the DVSA will send a confirmation letter in the post...Read More

Increased HGV speed limits welcomed by the industry The current speed limits for HGV’s over 7.5 tonnes is laid out in section 6 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984. However these limits were introduced back in the 1960’s and have never been changed since. Just think how much safer new technologies have made lorries...Read More

ADR Explained The European agreement concerning the international carriage of dangerous goods by road was created in Geneva on the 30th of September 1957 and came into force on the 29th of January 1958. ADR comes from the official French name for the agreement which is “Accord européen relatif au transport international des marchandises Dangereuses...Read More

Classification of dangerous substances under ADR ADR groups hazardous substances into 9 different categories which are referred to as classes. Each class has danger sign to show it’s major hazard and some classes are then sub-divided further to identify the specific hazard. Here is a brief overview of the 9 classes of dangerous goods under...Read More

DVSA roadside inspections can cost you big time I was talking to one of our newer clients this week and he was complaining about DVSA (no surprise there). His business is general haulage and some of his contracts are very strict on delivery times. One of his drivers was heading to a drop at a very...Read More

How to challenge a roadside fine One of the things that really gets a good debate going during our driver cpc training is the topic of roadside fines. Most drivers have a story to tell about spot checks and either being fined or having a lucky escape. I just wanted to let you know that it is...Read More

There are 18 different areas that need to be checked as a minimum to comply with the VOSA guidelines on maintaining roadworthiness and you need to show that you have taken sufficient time to check all of them. Brake Lines Electrical Connections Mirrors and Glass Horn Steering Brakes Exhaust Windscreen Wipers & Washers Lights & Indicators Fluid Leaks...Read More

Double Manning breaks I have had 4 calls this week asking the same question, 3 of which came on the same day, so I assume VOSA may be targeting this topic. People are asking if you are allowed to take a break while having your card in the 2nd man slot, and the first man is driving. The...Read More

No Initial CPC? You could be driving illegally As you probably know, if you passed your HGV/PCV test before the introduction of the driver CPC training then you have grandfather or acquired rights. If not then you need to have completed your initial CPC before you can drive and this was the situation with one...Read More

While running a Driver CPC course last weekend on the EU Drivers’ hours and working time directive regulations, one of the drivers questioned the working time regulations and it made me think. Just how many other drivers out there think the same as he did? Basically he was a self-employed driver and under the impression...Read More

Common VOSA Prosecutions for HGV and PSV operators The VOSA effectiveness report for 2011/12 which was compiled in March 2013 showed Drivers’ Hours and Tachograph records as the most commonly prosecuted offences in that period for HGV and PSV operators with the only difference being the order in which they placed. The top 5 HGV Offences 1)...Read More

Download your FREE Drivers’ Hours Guide This 35 page pdf explains everything you need to know when it comes to the EU drivers’ Hours rules and the working time directive for drivers (RTD). Written by our head trainer, Chris Allen, this easy to read ebook is written in plain English and contains working examples to...Read More

ADR Fire Extinguisher Requirements   Carriage in Limited Quantities. (Per individual package) IF a transport unit is not carrying dangerous goods in accordance with ADR 1.1.3.6, it still has to be equipped with at least one portable fire extinguisher for the inflammability classes* A, B and C, with a minimum capacity of 2kg dry powder (or an...Read More

Here is a quick demonstration video that shows you how to change the time on a digital tachograph   I hope you have found this useful and if you have any questions about this video or other functions on your digital tachograph please get in touch.Read More

How to check your Driver CPC Hours Over the past couple of years we have seen a number of driver CPC training providers come and go, some legitimate and many not. As with any new requirement or training there are a number of scam artists that make a quick quid and then disappear. Unfortunately it...Read More

Do you need tachograph charts analysed quickly? Have you got VOSA or the traffic commissioner coming to see you soon? Our team of experienced analysts can help you get back on track and compliant. From individual charts to months of backlog charts we can help with our priority analysis service. There could be many reasons...Read More