Transport

Operator Licensing Changes

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) have issued a briefing note regarding the changes to Operator licences, which will come into effect on the 4^th December 2011. Please forward this note on to your Transport Manager within your organisation.

FTA - Operator Licensing Changes - Briefing Note >>

HGV MOT Testing Exemptions Consultation

The Department of Transport has published a consultation document, which proposes that the exemption for the testing of certain classes of plant be removed. The classes include:

· Mobile cranes.

· Break-down vehicles.

· Engineering plant and plant, not being engineering plant, which is movable plant or equipment being a motor vehicle or trailer (not constructed primarily to carry a load) especially designed and constructed for the special purposes of engineering operations.

· Trailers being drying or mixing plant designed for the production of asphalt or of bituminous or tarmacadam.

· Tower wagons.

· Road Construction Vehicles (though we are not proposing to remove the exemption for road rollers and other specialised equipment used in the road construction process).

· Electrically propelled motor vehicles.

· Vehicles constructed or adapted for, and used primarily for the purpose of, medical, dental, veterinary, health, educational, display, clerical or experimental laboratory services.

· Vehicles having a base or centre in any of the following islands, namely, Arran, Bute, Great Cumbrae, Islay, Mull, Tiree or North Uist from which use of the vehicle on a journey is normally commenced.

· Tractor units pulling exempt trailers.

The closing date for the consultation was the 19th March 2010.

The CPA has formed a working group to help formulate a response. At the moment, the group had representatives from the Crane Interest Group (CIG), Powered Access Interest Group (PAIG) and the British Concrete Pumping Group (BCPG).

The Government has received our response, and we are awaiting on the decision of the Minister.

London's Congestion Charge Clause

The CPA has drafted a clause which may benefit those Members who hire road-registered plant to customers which will travel or work on streets within London's Congestion Charging Zone. The Member will pay the charge and invoice the customer accordingly.

Should the customer fail to notify the Member that the plant will travel or work within the zone, then the customer will be liable for any subsequent penalty charges should they arise.

Please incorporate this clause into your hire contract form, so the customer is clearly aware of his responsibilities.

"If at any time during the Hire Period, the Owner's road-registered Plant travels along the public highway within London’s Congestion Charging Zone; then the Hirer must immediately inform the Owner.

The Owner will pay the charge and invoice the Hirer accordingly.

However, should the Hirer fail to inform the Owner; then the Hirer will be liable for all penalty charges which may arise."

London Mayor confirms changes to congestion charging

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, has confirmed that changes will be made to the congestion charging scheme. These were the subject of a consultation earlier this year and will take effect from the 4^th January 2011. They include:

removal of the western extension zone
the daily congestion charge will increase to:
- £10 if paid in advance or on the day of travel
- £12 if paid by midnight the charging day after travel
- £9 if registered for the new congestion charging auto pay system, charged in arrears (or the fleet scheme where payment is upfront)
removal of the alternative fuel discount (registrations completed up to 24^th December 2010 will last for a further two years)

Further information can be found on the Transport for London website:

www.tfl.gov.uk

Driver CPC (Certificate Of Professional Competence)

Members are reminded of three important points when looking at purchasing Driver CPC periodic training.

For existing goods vehicle drivers, any periodic training delivered before the 10th September 2009 will not count towards the 35 hours of total training needed to be completed by September 2014. Periodic training must be delivered within a fixed five-year period, which for LGV drivers started on the 10th September 2009.
There is no direct public funding available for Driver CPC periodic training. It may be possible for some training undertaken to achieve a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) to double-up as Driver CPC periodic training - provided the course meets the criteria to be approved by the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) and is delivered by an approved training provider (known as the 'centre'). In some cases it may be possible to obtain funding for NVQs, but it should be remembered that an NVQ is a very different type of qualification to the Driver CPC. Gaining an NVQ requires the driver to reach a certain standard and this can take time in preparation and assessments. This commitment should be fully understood before a driver embarks on this type of qualification.
Ensure that any periodic training undertaken (after the 10th September 2009) is approved and the training centre is approved to deliver that particular course. This can be checked by visiting www.drivercpc-periodictraining.org/approved-centres-courses.

Further information on the Driver CPC can be found in the FTA's compliance guide, which can be downloaded at: