Blog posts for 2017

Failure to stop leads to driving licence suspension

The DVSA works to protect road users from unsafe vehicles and drivers. Every day you will probably see DVSA officers and examiners carrying out checks on…

Jailed for using gadget to hide drivers’ hours

Judge James Sampson reinforced the fact that ‘tired drivers kill’ as he jailed a HGV driver for using a gadget that allowed him to exceed legal…

Take part in Descartes’ Fleet Management Benchmarking Survey 2017

Have your say on the big issues  that impact your fleet operations Fleet management is continuously evolving. With shifting customer demands, new regulatory requirements and more competitive…

DVSA Annual Review 2016/17

The DVSA published their first Annual Review to promote what it is most proud of from 2016/17 and highlight some of work they will be doing in…

Road safety operation results in big fines for drivers’ hour offences

A HGV driver was fined £800 after breaching his drivers’ hours’ offences detected at a road safety operation conducted with North Wales Police in August. A…

Driving tired is ‘worse than being on drugs’

According to recent research, driving in state of fatigue has contributed to more road accidents in Great Britain than those impaired by taking drugs. The study…

Importing Tachograph Fraud

The BBC reported on an increase in tachograph tampering in the UK roads with over 440 HGVs crossing into the UK last year with manipulated tachographs.…

What does it take to be a transport manager?

The position of transport manager is a vital one for all transport operators regardless of size. Transport managers need to have good repute and be professionally…

Compliance concerns will impact your growth plans

Cases on non-compliance can not only affect your business now but can also have a detrimental impact on your future growth plans as a recent case…

Everything you wanted to know about the DVSA’s Earned Recognition Pilot

The DVSA’s Earned Recognition Pilot inviting road transport operators to share maintenance and tachograph data will help the authorities focus their efforts on non-compliant operators. The…

Tachograph download and ransomware protection

The recent ransomware attacks highlight the potential risk to corporate networks. The simple process of collecting and uploading digital tachograph data create touch points for files…

DVSA’s 5-year strategy

The DVSA recently published it’s 5-year strategy and business plan to improve road safety, user experience and value for money. The DVSA’s purpose is to help…

Drivers’ hours and tachograph offences are still No 1 for HGV Operators

Statistics published by the DVSA (Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency) for FY 2015-16 shows that drivers’ hours and tachograph records offences are still the most common…

Miss the delivery or exceed drivers’ hours?

The recent case reported in Commercial Motor of three delivery drivers being prosecuted after they were found guilty of falsifying tachograph records reinforces the need for…

The cost of running un-roadworthy vehicles

West Midlands Traffic Commissioner Nick Denton, banned a plant and tool hire firm from operating HGVs for 12 months after describing its vehicle maintenance procedures as…

Have your say on revisions to the Driver CPC directive

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It was introduced across Europe a number of…

Operators Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) explained

The Operators Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) is used by the DVSA to decide which vehicles should be stopped and inspected. OCRS is used to calculate the risk…

One in eight transport operators pose a risk to other road users

A recent BBC News item highlighted that according to the DVSA around 10,000 haulage operators (one in eight) pose a risk to other road users by…

HGV Operators Licence revoked by TC

A livestock haulier in Meiford will have their HGV operator’s licence revoked from May 1 2017 following a public inquiry where the Traffic Commissioner for Wales Nick…

DfT simplifies drivers’ hours and working time advice

The DfT has attempted to improve its guidance on EU drivers’ hours and working time by simplifying the advice. The new and updated guidance is available…

Suspended for drivers’ hours breaches

The owner of a skip hire firm was suspended from driving HGVs for breaching drivers’ hours regulations after driving for more than four-and-a-half hours without a…

Is it time to close volumetric drivers’ hours loophole?

The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has called for action to regulate volumetric concrete mixers – some of the largest vehicles on the roads. Volumetric concrete mixers…