Changes for International Hauliers for COVID-19
Posted by AndrewT on 27th Jul 2021
Changes to haulier testing requirements for fully vaccinated UK hauliers returning from amber list countries came into effect from 19th July 2021.
Drivers are not required to isolate in their cab on
… Read more
New DVLA tachograph driver card service
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Jun 2021
The new service launched by the DVLA will cut wait times and allows instant payments for tachograph driver cards. HGV, bus and coach drivers can now apply and pay for their tachograph drivers card onl
… Read more
Removing roadworthiness prohibitions
Posted by AndrewT on 20th May 2021
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.
Temporary measures were
… Read more
SmartDownload now includes Geotab, Samsara & OptiFleet
Posted by AndrewT on 20th May 2021
Following on from adding Geotab and Samsara Telematics to SmartDownload for automatic remote download of tachograph data to SmartAnalysis in September 2020 we are please to announce that the SmartDown
… Read more
Kent Access Permits are no longer required
Posted by AndrewT on 23rd Apr 2021
From Tuesday 20 April you will not need to obtain a Kent Access Permit (KAP) if you are driving a HGV to the EU from the port of Dover in Kent or the Eurotunnel. The "check if an HGV is ready to cr
… Read more
New serious incident reporting system
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Apr 2021
The DVSA have launched a new serious incident reporting system for bus and coach operators. The new online form is available to use from 6 April. It makes it easier to report serious incidents on a PC
… Read more
Descartes Sponsors True Heroes Racing for 2021 Season
Posted by AndrewT on 23rd Mar 2021
Descartes has announced its continued sponsorship of True Heroes Racing, a team founded in 2012 as a project to provide Wounded, Injured and Sick (WIS) UK Service personnel and Veterans, with the oppo
… Read more
No VU tachograph downloads in 505 days results in revoked licence
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Mar 2021
A Sittingbourne operator was called out as “an accident waiting to happen” and had their licence revoked by the South Eastern Traffic Commissioner, Sarah Bell. The failings were widespread and include
… Read more
TfL reminds HGV operators to apply for free safety permits
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Feb 2021
Transport for London (TfL) is reminding all HGV operators that wish to drive in London to apply for their free safety permit before 1st March when enforcement of the new Direct Vision Standard will be
… Read more
Dead man's tachograph card
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Feb 2021
In a recent case reported in Commercial Motor a sole trader found using a dead brother’s digital tachograph drivers card to exceed drivers’ hours limits has had the HGV operators licence revoked and
… Read more
Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours due to Brexit and Covid-19
Posted by AndrewT on 28th Jan 2021
The Department for Transport has published two temporary relaxations of the enforcement of drivers’ hours rules.
The first is in response to the exceptional pressures on the freight industry due to t
… Read more
New processes for hauliers travelling to Ireland
Posted by AndrewT on 8th Jan 2021
If you are travelling to Northern Ireland (NI) or the Republic of Ireland from any ports in Great Britain (GB), there are new processes that must now be followed from 1 Jan 2021.
For travel to Ireland
… Read more
Changes to Driver CPC (Certificate of Professional Competence)
Posted by AndrewT on 5th Jan 2021
Following a review of Driver CPC training and recommendations made by the European Commission, the UK Government has decided that Driver CPC training will be monitored by the DVSA to ensure drivers ar
… Read more
Tyres older than 10 years banned on commercial vehicles from 1 Feb 2021
Posted by AndrewT on 21st Dec 2020
It will be illegal for HGVs, buses, coaches and trailers over 3.5 tonnes to use tyres that are over 10 years old on the front axle and on all wheels for a minibus from 1 February 2021. Secondary legis
… Read more
No access to France for 48 hours
Posted by AndrewT on 21st Dec 2020
On Sunday 20 December 2020 the French Government announced that all passenger transport and accompanied freight from the UK will not be able to access France. The restriction will last 48 hours from 1
… Read more
ECMT Deadline reminder for hauliers travelling to Europe
Posted by AndrewT on 19th Nov 2020
Hauliers planning to travel to the EU in from 1 January 2021 will need to apply for a ECMT permit. The application window will close on Friday 20 November at 11.59pm.
You can get guidance on
… Read more
Kent Access Permit required for cross-Channel HGVs
Posted by AndrewT on 16th Oct 2020
The Cabinet Office has confirmed that a Kent Access Permit will be mandatory for all HGVs using the Channel crossings to the European Union from the UK.
The Access Permit plan includes a ‘Check an HG
… Read more
Transport Operators - It's Time. Are you Brexit Ready?
Posted by AndrewT on 16th Oct 2020
Warnings from the UK Government around the potential implications to companies that are not prepared for Brexit are beginning to emerge. And as recent research shows; many organisations are also begin
… Read more
Vocational driver conduct Statutory Document updated
Posted by AndrewT on 29th Sep 2020
The Senior Traffic Commissioner, has updated the Statutory Document on driver conduct (Statutory document 6), following a consultation on the proposed changes to how driver conduct issues are determin
… Read more
Changes to drivers’ hours and tachograph rules
Posted by AndrewT on 25th Aug 2020
As of 20 August 2020, the Department for Transport (DfT) announced some changes to the EU drivers’ hours and tachograph rules which were effective from that date. The guidance for both goods vehicles
… Read more
New Driver CPC Guidance is now published
Posted by AndrewT on 14th Aug 2020
The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) have now published their new guidance for Driver CPC. The changes came into effect on 24 July 2020 following a consultation on changes to Driver CPC ma
… Read more
Ban on old tyres coming in the Autumn 2020
Posted by AndrewT on 21st Jul 2020
The Government have announced a ban on old tyres being fitted to lorries, buses and coaches.
The ban makes it illegal to fit tyres aged 10 years or older to the front wheels of lorries, buses and co
… Read more
Changes to Driver CPC revealed.
Posted by AndrewT on 9th Jul 2020
Following a consultation by the DVSA on how to improve Driver CPC, the agency is expected to implement a number of changes. The full details have not been formally announced but they are expected to i
… Read more
DVSA to resume HGV Testing
Posted by AndrewT on 22nd Jun 2020
The Driver and Vehicles Standards Agency (DVSA) has will resume HGV testing from 4 July 2020. To help manage the demand as testing is resumed the DVSA have issued three-month exemptions for vehicles d
… Read more
New Driver Debrief – Minimise driver infringements
Posted by AndrewT on 16th Jun 2020
The new SmartDebrief module within SmartAnalysis provides a user friendly and paperless driver debriefing facility.
Infringements and failure to manage drivers effectively can be expensive. The autho
… Read more
Licence extension
Posted by AndrewT on 11th Jun 2020
Anyone with a photocard driving licence that expired from 1 February 2020, or is due to expire by 31 August 2020, will receive an automatic seven month extension. This will allow them to stay on the r
… Read more
Temporary relaxation of EU drivers' hours now ended
Posted by AndrewT on 1st Jun 2020
A temporary relaxation of the EU drivers’ hours rules for a 30-day period, for drivers was announced on 18 March 2020 to help with COVID-19. The temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the drivers’
… Read more
D4 Medical suspension
Posted by AndrewT on 20th May 2020
The Government has temporarily suspended the need for a D4 medical when renewing driving entitlements.
With NHS staff focused on COVID-19, the government has taken action to protect essential supply
… Read more
Relaxed enforcement of drivers' hours extended to end of May 2020
Posted by AndrewT on 20th May 2020
Following discussions between road haulage representatives and the Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, the DfT announced that the current temporary relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers' hours wi
… Read more
New and improved SmartCompliance User Interface makes managing your compliance easier
Posted by AndrewT on 24th Apr 2020
SmartCompliance will be updated to Release 20.4 on 5 May 2020. The new release will feature a new and improved SmartCompliance User Interface making it even easier to manage your tachograph compliance
… Read more