VOSA powers to stop changes
The DfT proposes to change VOSA officers’ powers across England and Wales and extend these powers to Scotland and to the DVA (Driver & Vehicle Agency) in Northern Ireland. Officers will be allowed to stop a vehicle at the roadside in order to make a routine check of drivers’ hour’s compliance, overloading or paperwork without having to first undertake an assessment of the vehicle’s mechanical condition. New offences of impersonating or obstructing and an officer are also proposed.
Continuous enforcement of motor insurance
The DfT plans to use the DVLA’s vehicles register and the motor insurance database held by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau to warn and then penalise (fixed penalty of £100, immobilisation and eventually disposal) vehicle keepers who fail to hold valid insurance. Enabling legislation is already in place in the 2006 Road Safety Act.
Daytime running lamps
Proposals for the introduction of mandatory daytime running lamps (DRLs) have been adopted for all vehicle categories excluding trailers. DRLs must switch on when the vehicle ignition switch enables starting/running of the engine. The lamps will be built into new cars and vans from February 2011 and all other vehicle categories, including trucks, from August 2012. There are no plans to retrofit or for older vehicles to have to use other lights when driving in daylight.
Revised VED rates
Exceptional rates of vehicle excise duty are being introduced for certain HGVs to comply with EU minimum taxation rates. The increases are expected to affect no more that 12,000 vehicles and to be around £40 per vehicle. The increased rates should not apply to vehicles fitted with road friendly suspension and operators may be able to voluntarily downplate vehicles to avoid the increases.
Northern Ireland operator licensing reform
The DOE intends to amend the operator licensing system to mirror that of the GB, including a system for restricted operator licensing, but with the exception of a Traffic Commissioner. In April 2011 existing hire or reward operators will be entered into the Operator Licensing Business System database and from April 2012 own account operators will be required to apply for a restricted licence.
Graduated fixed penalties in Northern Ireland
The Department of the Environment is proposing to introduce a scheme similar to that in GB to allow examiners of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) to issue fixed penalty notices. The proposed legislation would also introduce deposit and immobilisation schemes.
OCRS changes
VOSA intends to align the points attributed to operators under the OCRS system, which it uses to target those most likely to be non-compliant, with the bands of graduated fixed penalties.
Conspicuity marking
The Government has agreed to the introduction of additional outline reflective markings on goods vehicles. The UN Technical Committee (UNECE) has published the requirements in an amendment to R48, which will apply additional side and rear markings to new goods vehicles over 7.5 tonnes and new trailers over 3.5 tonnes.
Temporary Agency Workers Directive
A European directive requires domestic legislation to provide for the equal treatment of temporary agency workers in relation to basic working and employment conditions, access to permanent employment and amenities (such as child care facilities) to improve access to training.
Digital tachograph changes
European legislation amends the technical specification of the digital tachograph. The changes include an increase in the number of company locks from 20 to 255; alterations to the way in which driving and other activity is recorded; and the introduction of common test specifications for printout paper in 2011. To detect tampering, information from the motion sensor will be checked against vehicle data and any discrepancies will be logged as faults from 2012.
O licensing changes
European regulations introduce further harmonised licensing rules for international for international operators and transport operators and transport managers. Key changes include the introduction of a pan-European database, merging of national and international transport manager CPCs and restrictions on part-time transport managers.
Revised financial standing rates
New European legislation means the set figures for standard operator licence holders (€9,000 for the first vehicle and €5,000 for each additional vehicle) will be reset annually based on the euro exchange rate on the euro exchange rate on the first working day in October of the previous year.
Low Emission Zone (LEZ)
The London LEZ covers all London boroughs and applies a Euro 3 standard to buses, coaches and goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Vehicles that do not meet the standard have to pay a daily charge. The scheme will be tightened to Euro 4 and extended to light goods vehicles and minibuses in January 2012.
Vehicle test changes
The DfT is reviewing the exemptions from HGV testing with a view to removing up to 10 categories including electric vehicles, engineering plant and tower wagons. The items inspected at annual test are also being reviewed, driven by a change in European law. Extra items are expected to be included in the test such as airbags, front fog lamps and headlamp washers. Some current test items may also be removed.
