Legal Advice

Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules

The current temporary relaxation of drivers' hours ends on 31 October 2021. If you have made use of the relaxation, you must submit a completed a follow-up notification form by 7 November 2021. Please note: The temporary relaxation of drivers’ hours has been extended until 9 January 2022. You can find all of the documents and details here, or use the links below.

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Office of the Traffic Commissioner Updates Covid-19 Advice

The main changes involve the registration of local bus services and are: Services operating under a temporary variation can continue doing so until 31 March 2022 (previously 31 December 2021) No new temporary variations using the shortened process can be accepted for services in England and Wales from 1 January 2022, and from 1 February 2022 for services registered in Scotland Operators of coach services that are registered as local services are encouraged to work with local authorities…

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London’s ULEZ set to expand in October 2021

Starting from 25th October 2021, the ULEZ will expand to cover one single, large zone within (but not including) both the North and South Circular Road (A406 & A205 respectfully). The ULEZ will require your engine to meet the new Euro VI Nitrogen Oxide and particulate matter emissions standards. As of records released in 2017 by Transport for London, the percent age of vehicles which meet these standards have risen from 39% to 80%. You can read more on this topic over…

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DVSA has reviewed its temporary suspension of accepting new ATF applications

The following is taken from an email circular released by the DVSA: As part of the Heavy Vehicle Testing Review, The Department for Transport has recommended that the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) should consider allowing more Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) to open. Until now DVSA has temporarily paused applications for new ATFs. This has sometimes been called a moratorium. We stopped accepting new applications to set up ATFs in 2017 to help us support existing ATFs and meet their needs. DVSA and industry bodies have reviewed this policy and developed a plan with several steps to…

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Transport Office Portal enters the Testing Phase

The following is taken for an email circular released by the DVSA: The repair to the Transport Office Portal (TOP) is now entering the testing phase. This means Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) customer reports will be available a few weeks later than planned, in late summer. The delay is allowing us to improve the system so that any future developments will be quicker to put in place. You can still access the following TOP services: vehicle test history …

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Removing Roadworthiness Prohibitions

The following is taken from an email circular sent by the DVSA: From 1 June 2021, any prohibitions for testable vehicles or trailers that are not cleared at the roadside will be referred for a DVSA prohibition removal inspection at an ATF. The temporary measures were put in place when vehicle testing was stopped because of COVID-19. These are being removed now that the service has recovered to a point where the majority of prohibition clearances can return to physical inspections.…

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UK Government to test New Emergency Alerts in East Suffolk

The following is taken from an email circular put out by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner: The government will be testing its new Emergency Alerts in East Suffolk on 25 May between 1pm and 2pm. What Emergency Alerts are Emergency Alerts are messages sent to mobile phones within an area of risk. They don’t need your location or phone number. The service will be used to warn you about life-threatening emergencies such as severe flooding or terror attacks. Only the government and the…

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Speed Limiter Response no longer part of the Annual Test

The DVSA has recently issued a statement that as of 1st May 2021, the testing of speed limiter response time in vehicles with analogue tachograph units will no longer be part of the annual test for the vehicle. This change now means that all Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs) are now able to test vehicles with analogue tachograph units fitted. The procedure was originally suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic, but this change will see this become a permanent feature of the test.

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Important Update: Kent Access Permit Scrapped

The following is taken from an email circular provided by the Department for Transport; it can also be read here. From today, you will no longer need a Kent Access Permit (KAP) if you’re driving an HGV to the EU from the Port of Dover or the Eurotunnel. The "check if an HGV is ready to cross the border service" will also be closed. Before you cross the border, you will still need to check you have the paperwork you…

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