Operator Licencing – GB Tachopak Ltd: Blog

The End of the Paper Driving License – where to go from here

From June 2015, the paper part of your drivers licence is no longer valid.

Essential information was held on the paper license, including points, bans etc.

This information is vital to the Transport Manager, to be able to know who is entitled to drive the company’s vehicles.

All employers have a duty of care to ensure any employee that is required to drive on behalf of the company is correctly licensed and entitled to drive.

MORE? » SmartLicence is a licence checking system that runs with SmartAnalysis.

A visual driving licence check once a year is not enough. Things can change very quickly and licence details should be verified with DVLA at least twice a year.

On high risk drivers, you can have an update every month.

According to statistics from DVLA:

22% of drivers are using out of date documents
1 million drivers in the UK are just 3 points away from a disqualification
Around 250,000 drivers are disqualified every year.

SmartLicence is a comprehensive online tool for managing driving licences and verifying the licence details with the DVLA. SmartLicence allows you to assess the risk of licensed drivers and conduct regular checks with the DVLA in accordance with that risk. SmartLicence provides a historical log of checks and any changes to the licence details demonstrating to the authorities that you have systems and processes in place to ensure staff are licensed to drive. As with Smartanalysis your data is secure, managed in accordance with ISO27001, backed up and always available wherever you have internet access.

Once set up the licence checks happen in the background. You will receive a report indicating which licences are due for a check and an opportunity to remove them so that you do not pay for drivers that no longer work for your organisation. SmartLicence also uses SmartAlerts to send you an automatic email alerts for issues that you may wish to take immediate action on.

For more information speak to our technical team at: 01472 210102

Driver CPC needed to take vehicle for Annual Test

cpccard-150x150

VOSA and the DSA have announced that mechanics who are taking a vehicle for its annual test will require a Driver CPC. However, if only taking for a road test it will not be required.

This has come as a shock to the industry which had not been prepared to put mechanics though the required 35 hours of training.

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.

If you are a bus or coach driver and held your vocational licence (D, D1, DE, D1E) prior to 10 September 2008 you have acquired rights until 9 September 2013.

If you are a lorry driver and held your vocational licence (C, C1, CE, C1E) prior to 10 September 2009 you have acquired rights until 9 September 2014. To keep your Driver CPC and continue driving professionally beyond this date, you will need to complete 35 hours of periodic training (register).

On completion, drivers will receive a Driver Qualification Card:

This card, along with the drivers digital tachograph card needs to be carried with the driver at all times. Make storage simpler with a double card holder and lanyard available to purchase online or by telephone.

Driver CPC Dates

The CPC deadline for bus and coach drivers with acquired rights is upon us. Drivers have to complete their 35 hours training for their qualification.

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. If you are a bus or coach driver and held your vocational licence (D, D1, DE, D1E) prior to 10 September 2008 you have acquired rights until 9 September 2013.

If you are a lorry driver and held your vocational licence (C, C1, CE, C1E) prior to 10 September 2009 you have acquired rights until 9 September 2014. To keep your Driver CPC and continue driving professionally beyond this date, you will need to complete 35 hours of periodic training.

» Please REGISTER FOR DRIVER CPC TRAINING here. On completion, drivers will receive a Driver Qualification Card:

This card, along with the drivers digital tachograph card needs to be carried with the driver at all times. Make storage simpler with a double card holder and lanyard available to purchase online or by telephone.

SmartLicence Will Help to Keep You Compliant

GB Tachopak’s Smartanalysis service introduces “Smartlicence”

A comprehensive online tool for managing driving licences and safeguarding your transport company to comply with the regulations.

bnrSmartLicence

SmartLicence helps Operators manage the driving licences of any member of staff driving on behalf of the company. It will help to safeguard compliance with regulations and provides evidence to the authorities that you have effective systems and processes in place to ensure employees are entitled to drive.

SmartLicence is free to use for existing users of Smartanalysis. You only pay for verifying details with DVLA. Tokens can be purchased in advance for the anticipated number of DVLA checks in a year and used when required.

SmartLicence is fully supported and help is available in the SmartLicence User Guide on the Smartanalysis website. Login on their website and look in Help > Support > User Guides.

Possible Speed Limit Change

New Speed Limit 50mph The government are currently in consultation regarding increasing the speed limit on single carriageways for HGV’s over 7.5 tonnes from the current 40mph to 50mph matching the limit for HGV’s between 3.5 tonnes and 7.5 tonnes.
» Read More Here

The consultation closes on 01st February 2013.
Watch this space for updates on the outcome.

CMR Consignments Note for International Haulage

International 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:

for the supplier of the goods
for the eventual customer
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.

Proposed 90 day period for Tachograph Data Downloads

The Department for Transport planning to consult on tachograph data downloads…

According to “Commercial Motor” magazine website the UK Government want to extend the period allowed for Transport Operators to download Digital Tachograph data from 56 days to 90 days.

These proposed plans to extend the time required between tachograph data downloads is an effort to ease the regulatory burden on UK hauliers and operators and remove barriers for industry growth.

The current regulations state that operators must download tacho’ data from vehicle units at least every 56 days, but the government is proposing to increase this to 90 days.

The idea was proposed in a DfT Logistics Growth Review published last year, but was thought to have been originally suggested in the Red Tape Challenge earlier in 2011.

However, the Freight Transport Association said it wasn’t aware of members raising time limits as a problem.

For more information on storage, download and analysis of digital tachograph data and card readers please check out our free “Guide to Digital Tachographs” or visit or website.

The Olympics are almost here!

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)

Operator Licencing – Small Trailer Exemption

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.

Hire or reward

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.

Still exempt?

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.

Companies new to operator licensing

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.

Digital data analysis is the way forward for local Transport Company

Thursday, October 20, 2011 : Grimsby Telegraph

Digital tachograph data analysis is an emerging route for an established south bank business that has supported the UK’s transport industry for more than 30 years. Tachopak Staff (Grimsby Telegraph)

GB Tachopak has established a prominent role in providing vital stationery products to small fleet hauliers and coach operators.

Now, as technology becomes an integral part of the sector, the Humberston business is ensuring it doesn’t get overtaken.

Experienced industry operator Phillip Latta has been brought in as general manager, as husband-and-wife owners Mike and Lesley Bayliss look to take more of a back seat in a business that began as a printing firm producing a handbook for the Road Haulage Association.

Mr Latta, a member of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport who sits on the organisation’s Humber regional committee, previously worked as North East Lincolnshire Council as part of the fleet strategy team. He has 20 years of experience in the industry and has just completed a degree in logistics management at Grimsby Institute.

He said: “We concentrate on the smaller end of the market and offer a personal service, which we pride ourselves on.”

“We like to think we can go the extra mile. We have done the same thing for 30 years, but the industry has evolved now and we are moving into a digital era, where paper is being replaced by e-mails. Paper is a consumable, data isn’t. We act as a bureau where we can download and analyse the data and it works very well.”

“We are all about understanding and deciphering the data, and presenting it back to the client in a way they can make use of it.”

“It is not just about compliance, but it could be to help with efficiencies.”

The premier supplier of driver defect report books in the UK, the company also provides tachograph charts and the equipment for fleet operators to manage the digital element themselves, as well as vehicle first aid kits.

Another key service is ensuring their clients stay on the road, providing the latest information when it comes to the law, as well as advising on training requirements.

Next month should see the firm’s Drivers’ Handbook launched, a 96-page publication that the six-strong team at GB Tachopak, based in Wilton Road, is excited about.

Mr Latta said: “It covers legislation, best practice and particular elements such as driving in London, where emissions zones and congestion charges have to be contended with, as well as other controlled zones.

“If you can give advice to drivers it will benefit operators as well. It will make a driver’s life easier. There is a lot of information out there for operators, but we decided drivers needed something, and we are hoping to have it on sale by November 1.”

It has been welcomed by both road safety charity Brake and the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

(pic) ON THE RIGHT TRACK: GB Tachopak staff:
General manager Phillip Latta, right, with, from left, Anne-Marie Archer, Mike Bayliss, Karen Watford, Lesley Bayliss and Brenda Evison. Picture: Michelle Adamson