The 10 year-old tyre ban is coming into force in 2021! As announced by the government, from February 2021 tyres aged 10 years and above will be banned on the front axes of lorries, coaches and buses. The following rules will soon apply; It will be illegal to fit tyres aged 10 years and above [...]

Multilateral Agreement M324 under section 1.5.1 of ADR concerning driver training certificates in accordance with 8.2.2.8.2 of ADR and safety adviser certificates in accordance with 1.8.3.7 of ADR (1) By derogation from the provisions of the first paragraph of 8.2.2.8.2 of ADR all driver training certificates the validity of which ends between 1 March 2020 [...]

Operator suspended until inspections and roller brake testing confirmed Traffic Commissioner: “my primary concern is road safety” Most operators, like you, take the promises listed on your operator’s licence very seriously. A few underestimate the importance of these commitments and find themselves appearing before their traffic commissioner. Take this recent case involving a bed manufacturer. [...]

Give your views on operator licensing consultation Department for Transport outlines proposals under consideration Have you seen the consultation on changes planned for the operator licensing system? It launched earlier this month. The Department for Transport is looking at two areas: PSV licence applications Formal tribunal rules PSV licence applications Traffic commissioners can give HGV [...]

Haulier’s fleet restricted after failing to arrange laden brake tests Owner also disqualified from acting as transport manager until new CPC exam is passed Earlier this week we looked at the issue of brake testing. Unfortunately, it’s something traffic commissioners still have to deal with at public inquiry. Take this case from last year. The [...]

Lorries at sea - urgent safety advice Urgent safety advice has been issued by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) to all lorry drivers who use ferries. This follows an incident where lorries toppled over on a ferry vehicle deck while at sea, with drivers still in their cabs. One driver was trapped and had [...]

How to avoid a “brake” in your confidence Traffic Commissioner Kevin Rooney reflects on the standards for regular brake testing Maintenance inspections. They’re there to make sure your vehicles are fit and serviceable at all times. And the MOT standard is always met. In fact, your regular inspections should be above that minimum standard. Brake testing [...]

A further message following our bulletin on safe driving distances Earlier this week we shared a video with you from Highways England. It highlighted the importance of leaving an appropriate gap to the vehicle in front of you when you are driving. We pointed out that all drivers should leave a minimum two second gap [...]

Key issues from public inquiry Part three of our series which aims to help you maintain and promote O licence compliance Traffic commissioners understand that businesses, like yours, live in challenging times. That’s why they regulate for the benefit of you and every other operator, whether you are running lorries, buses or coaches. It’s their [...]