Category: Driving Rules and Laws

CMR Consignments Note for International Haulage

948 CMR Consignments NotesInternational Haulage : Road Consignment Notes
(also known as CMR Consignment Notes)

According to the UK Government website:
If you use a provider to transport goods internationally by road, there is a standard contract you should use. This is a road consignment note – known as the CMR consignment note – which confirms that the haulage company has received the goods and has a contract from the supplier to carry them.

On all international journeys – ie other than between the UK and the Republic of Ireland – a haulier must have a CMR note if carrying goods on a commercial basis.

Completing a CMR note

The CMR note can be filled out by the company sending the goods abroad, the haulier or by a freight forwarder, but must contain prescribed information.

You will need three copies of a CMR note, including one:

  1. for the supplier of the goods
  2. for the eventual customer
  3. to accompany the goods while they are being transported

» You can buy pre-printed pads of CMR Consignment Notes from various haulage outlets or buy online with GB Tachopak.

Operators Licence Revoked – Unsafe Loading Practices

Reporting accidents is extremely important in the Transport Industry.

A car crusher / scrap car company recently had its O licence for nine trucks and nine trailers revoked, by the Scottish Traffic Commissioner. (STC)  The company directors were disqualified for five years.

» Get Help with Compliance and Driver Regulations

The STC’s decision follows an incident when boxes of acid-filled batteries were shed from one of its trucks on the A96. The scrap car business, had been in trouble with the STC before as it was reported that police had previously stopped one of its timber lorries on the A9 in 2009. There was also a previous warning to directors about maintenance issues in 2007.

» Information about Accident Reports Forms and Kits for Transport Operators

Important Highways Agency Reminder: Weight limit at Boston Manor, M4

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 orders breathalyser for motorists

France introduced new laws that state drivers MUST carry their own breathalyzer kits in their vehicle. This BBC article explains more…
Buy Online here
>> http://amzn.to/RVFCsS

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.

Safe Vehicle Loading Matrix

Load Security Enforcement Matrix
View the Load Security Enforcement Matrix

VOSA have been working with the Health & Safety Executive to improve training for roadside staff (VOSA), in terms of vehicle load security. This means that VOSA will now be using a Load Security Enforcement Matrix, to help decide if a vehicle load is secure or not. The matrix will give guidance on any enforcement action to take dependent on several factors. These factors are briefly:

  • Load type
  • Load dimension
  • Vehicle type
  • Securing method

These factors will be used to determine what, if any sanctions will be taken and will range from an advisory to an outright prohibition. Any prohibitions will also affect an operators OCRS score.

VOSA have stressed that operators should pay particular attention to curtain sided vehicles. Their advice is that curtain sides should not be seen as a load restraint system and additional security devices should be employed to secure the load.

Although VOSA will be looking at load security in detail, they will not routinely be looking into vehicles and trailers. They go on to say that sanctions will only be taken where there is evidence of a clear danger.

Drivers must be supplied with the correct types of load securing device to ensure that there is no danger to other road users or the public at large. This will also help to protect your operators licence and ultimately your business.

Driver CPC – the Traffic Commission’s View

Driver CPC requires all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers to complete a minimum of 35 hours periodic training every five years for as long as they wish to continue to drive professionally.

In a recent article in the transport press, the senior Traffic Commissioner (TC) Beverly Bell stated that employers as well as employees, will find themselves before the TC , if drivers are not compliant with the CPC by Sept 2014 (2013 for passenger vehicle drivers). Bell went on to say “driver training is essentially about investing in your staff”.

Mailshot: The TC expects that operators should be able to show the steps they have taken relating to driver licencing and DCPC qualification. In conjunction with VOSA, there will be a mailshot to an estimated 80,000 operators reminding them of their responsibilities, with a second mailshot in 2014, and dependent upon your action or inaction, you may be called before the TC for an explanation.

Fines: Current levels of fines for failing to comply have been set at up to £1000, if a driver is driving professionally without a DQC (Post Sept 2014), this applies to both operator and driver alike.

Qualification: Some would argue that the DCPC is a driver qualification and is therefore the responsibility of the driver to ensure they hold the DQC qualification. But with the TC’s and VOSA out to ensure that all vocational drivers are qualified, can operators afford not to comply?

» Get the DCPC Guide
» Register for Driver CPC

Important Changes to Vocational Licences

DVLA Form D4 Medical ExaminationThe rules for lorry and bus driving licences will change from 19 January 2013.
Licences issued from this date will be valid for five years, up to age 65.
New drivers passing a driving test from 19 January 2013.

If you pass your driving test in categories C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E, after 19 January 2013 you’ll receive a licence valid for five years.

Every five years up to age 45, you’ll need to sign a declaration to confirm that you still meet the medical standards. After age 45, you’ll need to provide a medical examination report every five years to renew your driving entitlement.

Existing minibus, bus and lorry drivers

Drivers under 45 years old
If you passed a driving test in one of the categories below, you’ll come under the new rules when you renew your driving licence.

The categories affected are C, CE, C1, C1E, D, DE, D1 or D1E.
When you renew your licence, you’ll receive a licence that is valid for five years. Every time you renew it, the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will need you to confirm that you still meet the medical standards.

If you apply to replace your licence because it is lost/stolen, or your personal details have changed, your new licence will run until the end of your original period. However, if you update your photo at the same time, you’ll come under the new five-year rule.

Drivers over 45 years old
Drivers over 45 will continue to renew their entitlement as they do now.
When you renew your licence at the end of a five-year period, you’ll be renewing your driving entitlement. You’ll need to provide a medical examination report.

Form and more details:
Download ‘medical examination report’ – Form D4 (PDF format, 211K)

And don’t forget if you need any help with your transport compliance, GB Tachopak are now able to provide a full compliance auditing and management service, to help you stay within the law and protect your operator licence.
CALL GB Tachopak Ltd – Tel: 01472 210102

Charging Heavy Goods Vehicles for Using the Roads

Lorry with long trailerA consultation is taking place into the viability of introducing a charge for all HGV vehicles driven on the UK road network. The proposals are varied but, could mean a charge of up to £1000 per year per vehicle, with costs being offset by a reduction in annual VED rates. Have your say at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2012-03/

UPDATE: The consultation has now ended and we are awaiting the results. Hopefully we will be able to bring you more news in our next news letter

Now supplying DigiDown and Smartanalysis products

GB Tachopak are leading suppliers of Smartanalysis

We provide a full range of tacho’ and driver reporting software for both digital and analogue tachograph records. By using the industry leading software and devices you can ensure your transport operation remains legal and compliant.

Digidown and Smartanalysis Products

We can now offer an alternative to uploading data by hand, with the introduction of the Digidown & GO system. A Digidown Bluetooth device linked to a base box in your office will ensure that your digital data is captured and sent to Smartanalysis.

The main advantage is that it relieves the time and pressure on your transport office staff, ensuring that data is always captured on time and uploaded accordingly.

Did you know?
Smartanalysis is used by six out the top ten road transport companies in the UK.

» Get more details on DigiDown sevices, Software and Smartanalysis here.

Logo: Smartanalysis

Key facts about Smartanalysis

  • Smartanalysis is used to analyse over 1,300,000 tachograph records every month.
  • Smartanalysis is deployed in over 12,000 locations throughout the UK and Europe, and has over 20,000 registered users.
  • 6 out of the top 10 road transport companies by turnover (FY 2010) use Smartanalysis for at least part of their operation.
  • Smartanalysis is suitable for all HGV and PCV fleets – large and small.
  • Smartanalysis provides seamless analysis of both analogue and digital tachograph data.
  • It’s cost effective: you only pay for the driver data you submit and there’s no charge for vehicle downloads.
  • Data is secure yet accessible any time, any place by authorised members of your staff.
  • Over 100 standard reports are available online or emailed to you.
  • Smartanalysis includes tools to manage your infringements down.
  • Smartanalysis is fully supported and will ensure your compliance now and in the future by accommodating changes in legislation and tachograph hardware.

» Find Digital Tachograph Products here