To keep your Driver CPC and drive for a living, you need to complete at least 35 hours periodic training every five years. Driver CPC is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It has been introduced across Europe with the aim of improving road safety. You can find out the full background in directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament.
The Driving Standards Agency have put together a video overview of Driver CPC .
USB Smartcard Reader [Code 202] : Enables you to easily download recorded tacho’ data such as speed, distance and driver activities from any driver card. These driver cards are personal to the driver, and are issued by the local country’s licensing authority (DVLA)
Software [Code 206] is also needed. The reader simply connects to a PC via a USB lead. The data will be is in an un-analysed format. That means these files are not ‘human readable’ as they contain the activity data in a special, tamper-proof, electronic format. The extra SoloPlus software will read, format and report on the saved data.
Driver Data Cards MUST be downloaded and saved at least every 28 Days before any data on the card is overwritten. A vehicle operator will want to view and analyse their drivers’ activity to ensure that they are complying with various driving laws such as the Working Time Directive and Driver Hours law.
» View a Digital Tacho Smartcard Reader
We recently stumbled on this simulator (click image) for various Digital Tacho systems. We cannot vouch for how good or up-to-date it is but it looks the best we have seen so far. However, it should give anyone new to digital tachos a reasonable idea of how they operate.
This audio/visual guide offers Lorry or Bus tuition in the various modes. And shows the Actia, Siemens and Stoneridge models. Have a look here… Digital Tacho Simulator
NEED MORE HELP with Digital Tachgraphs?
If you need more help with tachographs or need to purchase tacho’ charts / accessories such as a card reader or SmartAnalysis services please call us or visit our main website or call our GB Tachopak experts TEL: 01472 210102.
» Website: GB Tachopak for Digital Tachograph Accessories
Recently a driver was jailed after falsifying his hours records 79 times. The RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning expressed his support for the custodial sentence of eight months handed to the truck driver who pleaded guilty to 79 offenses of creating false driving hours records.
Ipswich Crown Court had heard from VOSA that Jasvinder Arora, from Feltham, driving for Ocean Xpress Logistics, had driven for 24 hours without taking proper rest. VOSA had already warned the driver.
The RHA had previously called for mandatory prison sentences for those found guilty of falsifying their tachograph records as part of a broader compliance strategy paper, Safer operation and fairer competition in road haulage:
I though we could share this with you… Smith Electric Vehicles !!
Smith Electric Vehicles manufactures and sell zero-emission commercial electric vehicles and durable all-electric trucks. They are now available worldwide.
There are some amazing examples on their website which also explains the benefits such as its “green” credentials, lower costs to own an run, performance in urban areas.
See what you think, read the details here
A 7.5 tonne weight restriction remains in place on the M4 between Junctions 1 and 3 in both directions as a result of ongoing repair work at the Boston Manor Viaduct.
It is very important that drivers of vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or more comply with this restriction.
If you operate vehicles weighing 7.5 tonnes or more and use the M4 between junctions 1 and 3, please ensure your drivers follow the clearly signed diversion route using the dual carriageways of the A312 and A4. This applies to both eastbound and westbound traffic.
VOSA is working closely with the Met Police and the Highways Agency to identify and take action against road users who do not comply. This action includes the issuing of fixed penalties for vehicles not complying with the weight restriction and reporting repeat offenders to the Traffic Commissioner.
France introduced new laws that state drivers MUST carry their own breathalyzer kits in their vehicle. This BBC article explains more…
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here is a summary…
A new law has come into force in France making it compulsory for drivers to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicles or risk an on-the-spot fine.
It is the latest move by the government aimed at bringing down the number of road deaths caused by alcohol. All motorists must also have with them a high-visibility safety vest and a warning triangle. Foreign drivers are included in the new rule, however there is a grace period until November.
Some 4,000 people are killed on French roads every year, with drink-driving being the main factor in accidents ahead even of speeding.
The French government hopes that with breathalysers in every car, drivers who suspect they may be over the limit can test themselves and if necessary refrain from taking the wheel.
Where can I buy them ? Approved French Breathalyzer Kits can be ordered online via Amazon UK who have quite a few different models. Average price is £6 for two in box.
The OCRS scheme was due to be rolled out on 30th April 2012. But due to technical errors the roll out never took place. VOSA are now seeking views from within industry, before a new date for implementation is announced.
***AUGUST UPDATE : OCRS will change 1 Oct 2012
In April we informed you that the introduction of improvements to the current Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system was delayed due to some technical issues discovered during a system test.
These issues have been resolved and a full round of rigorous system-testing has now been completed. Improvements to OCRS will be introduced on 1 October 2012
With the Olympics due to start on 27th July, are you prepared for the start of the largest traffic jam potentially experienced by freight and bus operators?
Should you be involved in delivery or collections of goods during the Olympic games then you need to be ready and have plans in place to help you. The TfL (Transport for London) have produced 2 handy guides for operators, in the form of a top tips guide and an operators guide. These can be found on the TfL website or the links below.
» Top Tips | » Operators Guide (PDF format)
On 4 December 2011, the operator licensing exemption for small trailers with an unladen weight not exceeding 1020kgs for hire or reward operations was removed.
If you operate a goods vehicle and tow a trailer for hire or reward, where the maximum train weight exceeds 3.5 tonnes, you are likely to be within scope of goods vehicle operator licensing and should seek further advice from VOSA. Some dual purpose vehicles and any trailers drawn by them are still exempt but again, if you are unsure whether or not this means you, you should seek further advice from VOSA.
In this context, hire or reward operations are those which primarily carry other peoples’ goods. This would bring into scope transport and general haulage companies, courier companies, parcel delivery companies etc.
An operation may be classified as hire or reward by virtue of the fact that other peoples’ goods are being transported. However, if delivery of those goods are not the primary activity, then the operation is still exempt.
So landscape gardeners, for example – who transport plants that are not the property of the landscape gardening business – are still exempt because their primary activity is landscape gardening, not transport.
This change to the legislation will bring in to scope many companies that do not currently need an operator licence.
Some operators may therefore be unaware of the changes being introduced. If however, it is apparent that an operator has been advised of the changes and has not subsequently made an application for a licence, enforcement action will be taken.
If you’re not sure if you’re exempt from O-licensing requirements, email
enquiries@vosa.gov.uk for further advice.