mo - issue 37 - january 2012
TRANSCRIPT
8/3/2019 MO - Issue 37 - January 2012
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Although the last two years have seenmore severe weather than this countryhas experienced for a long while, there’sno telling what this winter will bring. Sofar, the forecast looks reasonable. But it’salways best to be prepared for the worst.
The Highways Agency will provide ahigh degree of support this winter. An‘alert status’ system is in operation tohelp hauliers and drivers of goods andhigh-sided vehicles respond to warningsof severe weather. There are two levelsof alert, red and amber:
u An amber alert advises driversthat traf c conditions are highlylikely to be affected by theweather. Drivers should thenmonitor traf c and travel radiobulletins and consider usinga different route.
u A red alert will only be issuedin the case of exceptionally severeweather. Drivers of goods and
high-sided vehicles should leavethe network and nd a safe placeto park.
Drivers will be updated on the alert statusthrough traf c reports on the radio, andthrough the Freight Transport Association(FTA) and Road Haulage Association(RHA) membership networks.
When a severe weather warning is issued by the Met Of ce, the Highways Agencywill provide advice through radiobulletins, television, on their websitewww.highways.gov.uk , an d via theoverhead electronic messaging signs.
Drivers can help the Highways Agencyand emergency services to maintain orrestore normality to the road network as quickly as possible during periods of severe weather by observing these alerts.
Visit www.highways.gov.uk/knowledge/ to nd moreadvice on preparing for thewinter weather.
MOVING ON ISSUE 37, JANUARY 2012 WWW.VOSA.GOV.UK/MOVING-ON
uuu The f ree new spaper fo r HGV and PSV dr ivers and opera to r s
BE WISE THIS WINTER
The Highways Agency is ready for winter – a fleetof over 500 winter service vehicles is on standbyand the Met Office is providing vital informationfrom the National Traffic Operations Centre.
www.businesslink.gov.uk/transport
Page 2News in brief
Myth of the moment
Page 3Changes to tacho fees
New Year: New Manual
Page 4Changes to O-licensing
Page 6Euro Road Safety 2020
Page 7Get your DQC cost free
A slice of life
Page 8Drivers’ hours on YouTube
I M A G E C O U R T E S Y O F H I G H W A Y S A G E N C Y
Re dGoods vehicle driversshould leave the roadnetwork and nd a safeplace to park up, andwait until the status isreduced to ‘Amber’.
A m b e r Make sure you and yourvehicle are prepared forsevere weather.
Keep up to date withlocal weather conditions.
If possible, use a differentroute to avoid the area of severe weather.
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From theeditor
Hello readers,Happy New Year! 2012 will seea number of changes to way weat VOSA engage with you, asmore and more of our servicesare delivered online. We’ll alsobe sending more informationout by email. Those of you
signed up to our email bulletin Latest VOSA News will alreadybe getting more informationfrom VOSA in this way.
But even these customers willsee an improvement.We areexpanding and re-brandingthis service as VOSA Direct .Customers can now use‘subscriber preferences’ tochoose which areas of industrythey want to hear about.
If you’ve not already doneso, sign up to receive MovingOn to your inbox instead of your doormat – just visit www.dft.gov.uk/vosa to subscribeyour email and pick the topicsthat interest you.
Those of you less con dentabout your computer skillsshould not worry! Visit http:// raceonline2012.org for tipsand tools to help organisationsand individuals championcomputer skills in their industry.
Safe driving,
Jessie VanBeck
Reality: Using weigh in motionsystems, VOSA can now identifyoverloaded vehicles withouthaving to pull them over at the
roadside. A word of warning willbe issued directly to the operator,giving them the chance to reviewtheir loading practices and makesure future journeys are carried
out within the regulations – beforemore punitive action is taken.
Download your copy of
Overloading – the basics fromwww.vosa.gov.uk/overloading-the-basics to make sure yourvehicle meets the loadingregulations.
“VOSA has to pull me over to fnd out i f my vehic le i s over loaded”
www.vosa.gov.uk/moving-onMoving On , January 20122
Got a question, need some friendly advice or want to report a dodgy operator? Ring the VOSA national number 0300 123 9000
NEWS IN BRIEF
A list of open-access facilitiesoffering large vehicle testingservices is now available on thegovernment’s central data storewww.data.gov.uk
This site brings togetherGovernment data in a singlesearchable website.
The data source providesnames, contact details andopening times of ATFs and DPsthat offer open-access testing.
Visit www.data.gov.uk/dataset/ uk-open-access-non-vosa-sites to nd the information.
Open access ATF data
Government slashes motoring red tape
TRAFFIC OFFICER SERVICE WINS ROAD SAFETY AWARD
Last November, in recognitionof their outstanding contributionto road safety, the HighwaysAgency’s Traf c Of cer Service was presented with thePrince Michael InternationalRoad Safety Award.
Routinely tested by incidentsranging from debris on thecarriageway to the effects of some of the most severe winterconditions in decades, theTraf c Of cer Service makesa signi cant contribution to the
safety of Britain’s major roads.
They handle around half amillion incidents a year onEngland’s strategic roadnetwork, attending to vulnerablemotorists, making sure thatvehicles are recovered, settingwarning signs and signals andhelping people involved incollisions and other incidents.
Traf c of cers are often rston the scene when a crashoccurs and play a key role insupporting the emergencyservices in dealing with
incidents on the road network.
MYTH of theMOMENT
Autumn and winter see adramatic increase in accidentsinvolving more vulnerable roadusers such as pedestrians,cyclists and motorcyclists,partly due to the winter clock
change. Drivers should look twice to make sure these morevulnerable road users are not indanger when manoeuvring theirvehicles in more built up areasor on smaller roads.
Once issued, a Driver DigitalTachograph Smartcard forms partof your working records and mustbe carried whenever you drive avehicle on a tachograph-regulated
journey – even if your vehicle hasan analogue tachograph.
The examiner will need to see itas it is the only way to prove thatyou have not used it.
Failure to carry your card canresult in a xed penalty for £200and the immobilisation of yourvehicle until you can produce it.
LOOK TWICE!
W O A I S S / S H U T T E R S T O C K
Be smart – carry your card
This newsletter, along withprevious issues, can be viewed
as a pdf on the VOSA website:
www.vosa.gov.uk/moving-on
Keep your l e t t e r sc o m i n g i n t o :
The Editor Moving OnVOSABerkeley HouseCroydon StreetBristol BS5 0DA
or email:[email protected]
Design: Zal Tehrani
printed on 100%recycled newsprint
New horsebox guideWorking in partnership withequestrian organisationsincluding The British HorseSociety, Horse & Hound andThe Pony Club, VOSA hasproduced A guide for horseboxand trailer owners to help themstay compliant with the rules.
Visit www.vosa.gov.uk/ horsebox-guide to downl oadyour copy of the new guide.
H A R I J S A / S H U T T E R S T O C K
Drivers are to be released fromreams of red tape currentlyrequired by government,announces Transport SecretaryJustine Greening.
Among other things, theDepartment for Transport willbe scrapping the regulationrequiring motorists to holda paper counterpart to theirdriving licence and only issuinghard-copies of V5C vehicleregistration certi cates for eet
operators when needed. JustineGreening says “Motoristsshould not have to keepnumerous bits of paper just toprove they can drive and havebought insurance – we live inthe digital age and we need toembrace that.”
Visit www.redtapechallenge.cabinetof ce.gov.uk to ndout more.
P I C S F I V E / S H U T T E R S T O C K
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www.businesslink.gov.uk/transport
NEW YEAR: NEW MANUALAs we approach the New Year, vehiclepresenters are reminded that there aresome changes coming to the annual test
in 2012.
These changes will be introduced intothe test as advisories for the rst threemonths, to allow maintainers, preparersand presenters time to become familiarwith them. Remember, the changes affectmany different parts of the test includingbrakes, steering/suspension, lights andother areas that are new to the test.
Vehicle presenters will bene t frompaying careful attention during the threemonth advisory period, so that they canhelp to ensure vehicles brought in for testafter the advisory period is over areprepared for the changes.
The changes resulting from the TestingDirective take effect on 1 January 2012.Don’t forget that until spring 2012 we’llbe issuing pass and advise for many of
the new items – but be cautious whenpresenting vehicles later on!
We will start failing vehicles if we ndthese defects after the advisory period– but we’ll give you plenty of notice of the exact cut-off point.
Visit www.vosa .gov.uk /veh ic le - t e s t ing -manua l s -and-guides fo r a look at thenew Inspection Manuals.
The technical pen picturesdescribing the changes willremain at www.vosa .gov.uk /veh ic le - t e s t ing -manua l s -and-guides f or a few monthsto sum up the changes.
A training presentation andnotes can be found on thesame site to help youunderstand the changes.
Following consultation with industry, thefee for calibration and periodic inspectionof tachographs was deregulated on1 January 2012.
It is expected that deregulation of the fee will: u Allow Approved Tachograph
Centres and vehicle operators tonegotiate a fair fee for the calibrationand inspection of tachographs
u Result in geographical variationsin cost being accounted for
u Better support vehicle operatorslooking to have tachographscalibrated during unsociable hours
u Future-proof calibration/inspectionagainst technological changes whichwill affect how much work will be
involved in the inspection andcalibration of tachographs
u Remove the need for future Governmentinvolvement in fee setting
u Incentivise companies consideringbecoming an ApprovedTachograph Centre
From now on, the fee charged by ApprovedTachograph Centres will be a commercialmatter to be agreed with the customerpresenting the vehicle.
VOSA’s Chief Executive Alastair Peoplessays “Deregulation will bene t the industry,giving tachograph centres the opportunity
to recoup their costs while providing a moreexible service to the customers.”
CHANGES TOTACHO FEES
Visit www.vosa.gov.uk/closedconsultations/tachograph-fee-deregulation fo r a summary of the consultation responses.
J O E G O U G H / S H U T T E R S T O C K
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S T O C K L I T E / S H U T T E R S T O C K
www.vosa.gov.uk/moving-onMoving On , January 20124
Got a question, need some friendly advice or want to report a dodgy operator? Ring the VOSA national number 0300 123 9000
The changes w
Since 4 Deceho ld ing s t andat r a ns po r t m a n
CHA O-LI
A new national register of operators and transportmanagers has been created in the UK. The UKregister will contain information from GB,Northern Ireland and Gibraltar and will beconnected electronically to registers in otherEU member states to improve the ow of important information about operators andtransport managers.
Who the reg i s te r app l ies toThe new national register applies to: u Road haulage operators with
O-licences in Great Britain, alreadywithin the scope of the existingEuropean Community legislation andwho provide hire or reward services.
u Operators of road vehiclesdesigned to carry ten or morepeople (including the driver)with O-licences in Great Britainwho carry passengers for hireor reward under a standardlicence within the UK and
the European Community.
Northern Ireland has itsown O-licensing regimefor both goods and passengervehicles, and will provide
its own information forthe UK register.
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www.businesslink.gov.uk/transport
’ve been telling you about are nally here.
ber 2011 , the ru les on app ly ing for andd O-l ic enc es c hanged , as d id t he ru l es fo r ge r s .
GES TOENSING
ha t do you have to do now ?t September, the Of ce of the Traf c Commissioner sentstionnaires out to all standard O-licence holders listedhin the operator licensing database. For most of you, theurn of the questionnaire is all that will be needed.
e questionnaire has been designed so that each operator canvide the information required for the national register and
w that they are compliant with the new EU Regulations.
st operators have responded to the questionnaire, but therestill a number who have not yet done so. It is vital that thestanding questionnaires are completed and returnedmediately.
If you hold a standard O-licence but have notyet received a letter and questionnaire, emailenq uiri [email protected] ov.uk o r telephone VOSAon 0300 123 9000 to let us know.
Transpor t m anagersTransport managers with Certi cates of ProfessionalCompetence (CPC) do not need to take any action as theirquali cations remain valid. Those with National CPC onlymay upgrade to International in 2012 if they wish, but it isnot a requirement of the EU Regulation.
Transport managers with recognised trade body CPC
exemptions should have received new numbered certi catesfrom their trade body by now. If you expect a certi cate buthaven’t yet received it, contact your trade body.
Transport manager acquired rights have replaced transportmanager grandfather rights. Grandfather rights holders onan operators licence will normally receive an acquired rightscerti cate in response to a completed operator questionnaire.Grandfather rights holders not on a standard operator licencewho want to gain acquired rights will need to make anapplication before December 2013.
Visit www.df t .gov.uk /pub l i ca t ions /t r anspor t -manager-acqu i red - r igh t s for your acquired rights application form
Small Trai lersSince 4 December 2011, small trailers towed by a vehicleunder 3.5 tonnes and used for hire or reward are no longerexempt from operator licensing. Therefore, if you are carryingother people’s goods for hire or reward (e.g. working as acourier or freight transport business), the weight calculationmust now include any trailer attached (irrespective of thetrailer’s weight). If the vehicle and trailer combination exceeds3.5 tonnes gross plated weight – or where there is no platedweight, exceeds an unladen weight of more than 1525 kg –a standard O-licence will be required.
The original exemption for a trailer with an unladen weightof less than 1,020kg still applies as before where the personusing it is not carrying other peoples’ goods for hire orreward . In such cases, the weight of the trailer can be ignored
for the purposes of adding up the total gross weights orunladen weights to determine whether an operator’s licenceis required.
Return your ques t ionna i reYou must complete and return your questionnaire, along withyour declaration of compliance, to show the Of ce of theTraf c Commissioner that you are operating in accordancewith the new EU Regulations that became effective on4 December 2011. Failure to return your questionnaire mayresult in regulatory action being taken against your licence.
If you hold a standard O-licence but have notyet received a letter and questionnaire, emailenqu iri [email protected] ov.uk o r telephone VOSAon 0300 123 9000 to let us know.
These changes have been introduced by EURegulations EC 1071/2009, 1072/2009 and1073/2009.
Visit www.businessl ink.gov.uk/nat ional-reg i s t e r fo r further information about thesechanges and the effect on standard O-licenceholders, including a list of FAQs. Visit w w w.
vosa.gov.uk/operator- l icensing-guides fo r a more detailed explanation of the rules in VOSA’sGoods Vehicle Operator Licensing guide or email enq uir ies @vosa .gov.uk fo r advice.
MARDAV
HU
R
O
K
E L E N A M O I S E E V A / S H U T T E R S T O C K
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S V E N H O P P E ( + C O V E R I M A G E ) / S H U T T E R S T O C K
www.vosa.gov.uk/moving-onMoving On , January 20126
Got a question, need some friendly advice or want to report a dodgy operator? Ring the VOSA national number 0300 123 9000
“I make resolutions every year and break most of them within a few days” you mightsay, “So what?”
But this resolution sets out the EU’sapproach to road safety to the end of 2020,so it may be worth taking a look at what’s init that will affect VOSA’s relationship withthe heavy vehicle industry:
E t h i c a l a s p ec t sThe citizen’s right to individual road useand safe transport is repeated. At the sametime, the resolution reminds those citizensthat they have a duty to behave safely.
The resolution respects the right to lifeand expression where the road network is regarded as part of our community.It reminds us that the EU objective is‘Vision Zero’. This is where use of extensive technology prevents all roaddeaths. The call is for the core features of the strategy to deliver ‘Vision Zero’ within
three years. A bit like some headlamps –they’re aiming high!
Life long lea rn ingIt is acknowledged that road transportshould be subject to a ‘lifelong learning’
ethos – we should never stop learning. Theresolution suggests that novice drivers, inparticular, need better education, especiallyon the role of tyres, their maintenance andtheir use. More attention should also begiven to all drivers about motorcyclesand scooters – particularly around theirvisibility. This concept is now familiar tous in the guise of CPC.
Traf c rulesThere is a call for an improved exchange of information between member states whereoffences against traf c regulations have
been identi ed. Including, interestingly,a review of legislation on driving and resttimes for long-distance lorry drivers, toenable them to spend weekly rest periodsat home.
If you’ve ever been stuck behind a cardriver in icy conditions where clearly theyhaven’t a clue how to make progress, youmight welcome a proposal for legislation
harmonising the approach of tting winter tyres on cars, buses and trucks – but it’sonly for member states with the rightweather conditions, so sadly the M11will be no different!
Safer veh ic lesWhat about the compulsory tment of alcolocks on all commercial passengerand goods vehicles? The Commission isexpected to have a Directive proposalready by 2013!
Other juicy proposals include: u better passive safety (under-run,
car vs truck crash compatibility)
u improved seat belt reminder systems
u fatigue warning systems
u protect those dealing with hybridelectric high voltage systems,especially when accident-damaged
u technical checks of accident-damagedvehicles prior to re-entry into service
u common tyre tread depth and pressurestandards and a common speci cationfor tyre pressure monitoring systems
u t all trucks with special rear-viewmirrors or camera systems to coverblind spots
u standard tment of air conditioning totrucks that work with the engine off toguarantee rest for the driver.
The ‘biggie’ is the establishment of a singleEuropean area, testing all vehicles to strictand uniform standards such that certi catescan be mutually recognised in any memberstate. So we can expect a UK-registered,Swedish-made truck to be tested in Latviaand taxed through DVLA in Britain!
Hi-vizThe resolution also proposes to makecompulsory the carrying of hi-visibilitywarning jackets for all vehicle occupants(though probably not for use while they’reoccupying the vehicle!).
So you can see it’s a wide-ranging bag of possible initiatives coming to a member statenear you any time in the next nine years!Clearly all this has to be researched, draftedand consulted upon before it ever becomeslaw, but we hope this gives you a bit of a
avour of the thinking on the continent.
You can nd out more about what’sgoing on in the EU by downloadingthe Policy orientations on road safety 2011-2020 from ec .europa .eu /t r anspor t / road_sa fe ty
W hi l e a ll t h e t a l k a b o u t t h e EU a t t h e m o m e n t i s e c o n o m i cc r i se s i n t he Eurozone , i t m ay have e scaped your no t i c e t ha tt he European Pa r l i am en t i s sued a r e so lu t ion t o t he Comm iss ionc once r n ing European road sa fet y on 27 Sep tem ber 2011 .
EURO ROAD SAFETY 2020
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www.businesslink.gov.uk/transport
Mel Yelland is a nice, easygoing traf cexaminer (TE), who can get tough on rulebreakers when she must. Mel came to work for VOSA 10 years ago. “I had a job atNatWest Bank before starting work forVOSA’s training department. From there,I moved over to the MOT team to helpcomputerise the MOT test.”
But 18 months ago, Mel took her careerin a very different direction. “I wanted acomplete change from my old of ce job”says Mel. “The TE training took me threemonths. Although it was challenging, I wasmotivated to complete the course. Gettingout and about as a TE means that every dayis different.”
Mel enjoys her new role, working out of theVOSA site at Avonmouth: “I set myself an
ongoing goal to do my very best each day.I nd the job very rewarding as it impactsdirectly on road safety and saves lives. Sothe work that I do has a very positive effecton the world we live in.”
Always around to lend a hand, Melregularly takes the VOSA stopper carout to bring vehicles into the check siteat Tormarton. As a TE, Mel checks thepaperwork to make sure the driver andoperator are safe and legal, while a VehicleExaminer (VE) takes a look at the lorryitself. Mel’s job includes, amongst otherthings, checking the O-licence, driver’slicence, ministry plate, and tachographcharts. Mel’s message to truckers is,“Make sure your paperwork is preparedfor a road check!”
Drivers who have exchanged their paperdriving licence for a photocard licence willreceive their DQC automatically, as the samephotograph can be used for both documents.While drivers will still have to pay the usual£20 photocard licence fee, they will bene tby receiving their DQC free of charge, whichcould save them up to £30 over the 10 year photocard licence period.
The DQC proves that the driver holdsthe Driver Certi cate of ProfessionalCompetence (CPC) which professional bus,coach and lorry drivers must now legallyhold in addition to their driving licence.
Rosemary Thew, DSA chief executive says“We’re urging drivers to exchange theirpaper licence sooner rather than later.
As well as saving money, drivers holdinga photocard licence will receive their DQCautomatically when they have passed theDriver CPC initial quali cation or completed 35 hours of periodic training.”
Drivers who leave the exchange of theirlicence until after they have completed theirtraining risk delays in receiving their DQC.
Drivers can apply to exchange their licence online, by post or they candrop off their application at DVLAlocal of ces and selected PostOf ce® branches. Visit w w w.direct .gov.uk/exchangel icence for more information on how toexchange your paper licence.
GET YOUR DQC
COST FREE I f bus , c oach and lo r r y d r ive r s exchange t he i r Br it i shpape r d r iv ing l i cence fo r a pho toca rd l i c ence , t heycan get their driver quali cation card (DQC) at no cost.
A SLICE OF LIFEby George Ryder
What do Traf c Examiners actually do? How does one goabout getting the job in the rst place? What sort of peoplea re t hey? Al l t hese ques t ions , and mor e , a r e answ ered in ashort interview with one of VOSA’s newest Traf c Examiners.
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DRIVERS’ HOURS
ON YOUTUBE
www.vosa.gov.uk/moving-onMoving On , January 2012 8
Got a question, need some friendly advice or want to report a dodgy operator? Ring the VOSA national number 0300 123 9000
Depar tm ent for Transpor tagency details
Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)Driver enquiries: 0300 790 6801Vehicle enquiries: 0300 790 6802www.direct.gov.uk/emaildvla
Driving Standards Agency (DSA)
0300 200 [email protected]
Vehicle Certifcation Agency (VCA)0117 951 5151www.vca.gov.uk/contact.asp
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA)0300 123 [email protected]
VOSA’s popular drivers’ hours lm for HGV and PSVdrivers and operators is now available on youtube.com/ user/vosagovuk for all to view.
Most drivers nd the lm format easier to digest and applyto their own driving activities. The lm can also be used to
supplement driver training.
Due to the constraints of the site, the lm has beenprovided in two parts. British and European drivers’ hoursand tachograph rules are explained and the lm providesimportant information for both drivers and operators. The
lm outlines EU rules, UK domestic rules, tachograph rulesand UK enforcement.
“Very informative and easy to understand” commented oneviewer, while another said “This video has cleared some of [the complex regulations] up for me. More of the same please!”
Driver walkaround checks and basic inspectionlms will also soon be available to view on
youtube.com/user/vosagovuk .
VOSA has begun to move the Check it Out series of short educational films online, making them more widely accessibleto our target audience. Operators, drivers and trainers can now view and share these films at the push of a button.