All hand-held phone use to be illegal in 2022
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Nov 2021
The Government is closing loopholes in the use of mobile phones making it illegal to use a hand-held device under virtually any circumstance while driving.
It is already illegal to text or make a pho
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Driving licence extensions ending
Posted by AndrewT on 11th Nov 2021
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, driving licences that were to expire between February and December 2020 were given an automatic 11 month extension. The extension started from the date your driving l
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Government review of Driver CPC
Posted by AndrewT on 11th Nov 2021
The UK Government has announced that it is carrying out a review of Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). The aim of the review is to see how it can be improved to help with driver sho
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Factors to consider when choosing your compliance management software supplier
Posted by AndrewT on 25th Oct 2021
Today tachograph analysis software has become a commodity available from a number of suppliers. With little real product differentiation between suppliers and competitive pricing from all how do you c
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Over 50% of HGV drivers say they don't conduct vehicle safety checks
Posted by AndrewT on 25th Oct 2021
According to research published in HGV UK, the majority of HGV drivers say they do not carry out vehicle safety checks.
Ensuring daily walkaround checks happen is part of the commitment an HGV fleet
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Relaxation of enforcement of drivers’ hours extended again
Posted by AndrewT on 12th Oct 2021
The temporary relaxation of the enforcement of HGV drivers’ hours has been extended further as driver shortages continue to impact all sectors.
The Department for Transport has extended the relaxat
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Over 80,000 drivers are only 3 points away from a potential ban – Are you about to employ one of them?
Posted by AndrewT on 17th Sep 2021
Data from the DVLA revealed that over 80,000 driving licences have 9 points – only 3 points away from a ban from totting-up of points for new offences committed within the next 3 years. Around 2.7 mil
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Short of drivers? Your business can still deliver
Posted by AndrewT on 17th Sep 2021
Are driver shortages impacting your business? With driver shortages, empty supermarket shelves, delivery delays and waste / recycling collections being extended it seems every sector is being affecte
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This is what can happen when you use a mobile phone whilst driving
Posted by AndrewT on 9th Aug 2021
A HGV driver was jailed in July for three and half years after colliding with another vehicle while using a mobile phone. The vehicle was a security van that had broken down in lane one of the A27 dua
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Discover what's new in SmartAnalysis and get 14 months for the price of 12
Posted by AndrewT on 27th Jul 2021
SmartAnalysis is probably the longest established tachograph analysis and reporting Software as a Service solution on the market. It serves thousands of operators of all sizes.
“Descartes’ SmartAnalys
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Are your loads secure?
Posted by AndrewT on 6th Jul 2021
As road users we usually focus on spotting potential hazards that are in front of us. However, for HGVs it can be the heavy load behind the driver that presents the biggest hazard. A HGV with a 40 to
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Vehicle safety checks - what are your duties?
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Jun 2021
Whether you drive a HGV or a bus or coach, it's vital that you know what checks you need to carry out inside and outside of the vehicle before setting off. Failing to do thorough checks could result i
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Disqualified driver used a false licence
Posted by AndrewT on 15th Jun 2021
The story of a disqualified driver using a false licence in the North Wales Chronicle highlights why road transport operators of all sizes must have a robust and reliable process for checking their dr
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Tachographs and Telematics
Posted by AndrewT on 20th May 2021
The latest tachographs and telematics report from Commercial Motor and Motor Transport highlights the rate at which smart tachographs are being adopted and gives an insight into operator attitudes. Sm
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SmartCompliance Tips & Tricks - Resetting your password
Posted by AndrewT on 12th May 2021
Welcome to our first post of SmartCompliance Tips and Tricks. We will be sharing some useful tips on using SmartCompliance which will save you time and help you get the most out of the features availa
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HGV driver eating out of a bowl at the wheel
Posted by AndrewT on 27th Apr 2021
A HGV driver was caught by an undercover police officer eating from a bowl whilst driving on the M1. The driver was stopped after he was spotted with no hands on the steering wheel.
Leicestershire Po
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Revised guidance on defect categories
Posted by AndrewT on 26th Mar 2021
The DVSA have updated their guidance on how defects in roadside checks are categorised. The amended rules came into effect from 1 February 2021. So, if you are not sure of the changes now is the time
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DVSA target vans for mechanical defects
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Mar 2021
As reported in Commercial Motor a recent road safety operation in the Midlands found 24 vans with mechanical defects and the DVSA have said it will continue to target LCV drivers. The recent operatio
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HGV driver filmed holding a phone to each ear
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Feb 2021
A HGV driver was filmed by the police holding a mobile phone to each ear on the M4 motorway whilst steering with his elbows. The footage was captured from the cab of a police lorry driving alongside t
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97% of UK hauliers are not ready for 1 January 2021
Posted by AndrewT on 22nd Dec 2020
A recent survey conducted early December with 6,000 hauliers revealed just 3% are totally prepared for new UK-EU trading arrangements. 84% require more clarity on border legislation changes and two th
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Have your say on mobile phone use
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Oct 2020
A consultation has been launched to strengthen the laws around the use of a mobile phone whilst in charge of a vehicle on the road. Laws exist to stop drivers using mobile phones already, however, t
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Is your HGV ready to cross the border?
Posted by AndrewT on 23rd Oct 2020
From 1 January 2021 Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGV) over 7.5 tonnes travelling from Great Britain to the EU must obtain an electronic Kent Access Permit before taking goods to the Port of Dover or Eurotunn
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Is this the worst case of breaching drivers’ hours rules?
Posted by AndrewT on 16th Oct 2020
A Glasgow operator has been disqualified and had his licence revoked after a traffic commissioner heard about “the worst case of breaching the drivers’ hours rules” he’d ever seen.
Scotland’s deputy
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Removing roadworthiness prohibitions
Posted by AndrewT on 2nd Oct 2020
During the COVID-19 lockdown, ATF annual test inspections were stopped and temporary measures for prohibition removals were put in place. However, this has now changed and from 28 September 2020, all
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HGV Levy to be suspended to help with COVID-19
Posted by AndrewT on 9th Jul 2020
The Government will suspend the HGV Levy for 12 months from August 1.
The 12 month suspension is to help reduce financial liabilities for UK and foreign hauliers struggling to cope with impact of Cov
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Tachograph Roadside checks on the rise - Act now
Posted by AndrewT on 15th Jun 2020
There have been reports recently that the DVSA is ramping up their roadside checks. With this increased enforcement activity operators should ensure that their management of drivers’ hours and tachogr
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Maintain a compliant and safe road transport operation with COVID-19 restrictions
Posted by AndrewT on 17th Apr 2020
As a road transport operator, the current situation with COVID-19 and restrictions with social distancing present significant challenges. Some operators will be experiencing a slowdown in business whi
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Have your say on Driver CPC
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Mar 2020
The DVSA have launched a consultation about improvements to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. The current requirement is based on time spent in a face-to-face training environment rat
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If you don't see us at the show ….
Posted by AndrewT on 6th Mar 2020
The Commercial Vehicle Show 28-30 April 2020 – NEC, Birmingham
At the time of posting the CV Show has been cancelled by the organisers. A postponement to later in the year was not possible.
Descarte
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Traffic Commissioners highlight the importance of managing your drivers
Posted by AndrewT on 14th Feb 2020
In their most recent Annual Report, the Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain highlighted the importance of managing professional drivers. This includes regularly examining a driver’s licence, ensur
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