Starting from the 1st August 2020, the HGV Levy for UK & Overseas-registered HV’s using the UK Road system will not be required to purchase a levy. This measure has been taken to aid the UK Economies recovery.
Please note: You will still be required to buy a levy up until 31st July 2020 and that DVSA enforcement will continue.
For full details, please review this article released by Gov.uk.
The following is taken from an email circular sent out by the office of the Traffic Commissioners.
The traffic commissioners (TCs) have updated their advice for operators during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
The update issued on 23 June 2020 covers:
The following is taken directly from an email sent out today by the Office of the Traffic Commissioner.
The Senior Traffic Commissioner has updated his coronavirus (COVID-19) statutory document originally issued on 17 March 2020.
The update issued on 18 June 2020 includes reference to:
Financial standing periods of grace
The maximum period of grace for financial standing an operator can seek has increased.
Previously, it was a maximum of 6 months with the Senior Traffic Commissioner having set a 4 month starting point. The law has been changed to increase that maximum to 12 months with the STC suggesting an initial 6 month starting point. Any decisions about the grant or length of a period of grace will include an assessment of the risk to road safety.
This extension to the law applies to any determination made between 1 March 2020 and 30 September 2020. This gives operators the opportunity to recover their finances during the extended period following the resumption of normal trading as the lockdown eases.
Tell your TC early if you have problems
You should tell your TC if you are experiencing any issue in meeting the financial standing requirement. The condition on your licence gives you a month to notify changes. The TC is likely to be sympathetic and will seek to assist wherever possible, especially given the difficulties arising from COVID-19.
If you can no longer meet the financial standing requirement you are strongly advised to contact the Office of the Traffic Commissioner at Enquiries@otc.gov.uk for advice.
Anyone who fails to do so can expect a TC to require explanations as to why they failed to comply, and it may result in a finding of loss of good repute.
Further information
The traffic commissioners have also published two other documents during the outbreak. We recommend you read them:
As of Monday, 6th Jul 2020; the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain are set to resume in-person hearings, which where formally postponed in March 2020 as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic.
To read the full details on this, please follow this link.
Starting on 23rd March 2020, FORS (Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme) due to the coronavirus pandemic (Covid-19). But earlier today, they have now released a set of rules and requirements for carrying out Bronze on-site audits in light of the current easing steps undertaken by the Government.
To read about this more, and to see the guidelines; click here.
The ADLV (Association for Driver License Verification), in a recent post to their website have urges fleet owners and operators to maintain a regular system of checks for their drivers; as expanding delivery fleets and the sudden return of car drivers to UK roads has prompted a spike in license checks.
To read the full article, please follow this link.
During the current coronavirus pandemic, the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have been putting out constant advice and guidelines for differing industries on how to return to work safely.
We advice all operators to review the information provided at this link, which deals with Covid-19 and it’s effects on the Transport & Haulage industry.
In an open letter, HSE and DfT have reminded businesses of their duties to drivers under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Those regulations require business to provide suitable toilet and hand washing facilities to drivers visiting their premises.
In their letter, HSE and DfT remind businesses which make or receive deliveries that they must ensure that drivers have easy and safe access to toilets and hand washing facilities.
The Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain welcome this letter. Britain’s delivery drivers do vital work and their health must be protected.
Traffic commissioners can consider any breaches of relevant health and safety legislation when taking regulatory action against an operator.
We encourage all operators to read the letter and the guidance it accompanies.
The following is taken from a email provided by the Department for Transport.
Drivers’ hours rules update
As part of the Government’s effort to keep supply chains moving throughout the coronavirus outbreak, the Government announced a temporary measure to relax the enforcement of both the EU and GB drivers’ hours rules until 31 May 2020.
Following a review, the Department for Transport has confirmed that the temporary relaxation to the EU drivers’ hours rules will not be extended and will end at 23:59 on 31 May 2020.
The relaxation to domestic GB drivers’ hours rules will continue until 23:59 on 14 June 2020, but will be kept under review.
More information can be found on this link.
Guidance for furloughed drivers
The Department for Transport has issued guidance for employers and drivers on how being furloughed will affect the working time rules that apply to mobile workers.
The guidance will help you understand how you should record activities on your tachograph, or by manual record, when furloughed, including when undertaking other work.
You can find the guidance on this link.
Access to toilet and hand washing facilities
Drivers are legally entitled to easy and safe access to toilets and hand washing facilities while carrying out their work.
The Department for Transport and the Health and Safety Executive have written a letter outlining the legal requirement for businesses to provide such access to drivers.
The letter can be found on this link.
In light of the current Covid-19 pandemic, the Office of the Traffic Commissioners have released guidance on how to submit remote compliance audits.
This guidance, and other information can be found at this link.