CM received a call from a driver last week who, five and a half years after the Driver CPC legislation came into effect on 10 September 2009, has still not completed his mandatory 35 hours of training.

The law requires that all applicants or holders of an HGV O-licence have sufficient financial standing to ensure that they can properly finance their operation and maintain their vehicles in a fit and roadworthy condition. 

In the road haulage industry 'cabotage' is the right, on a temporary basis, to operate road services in another member state.

With recent trade press looking at changes to the Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system, we look at what OCRS is, why it is important to any licensed vehicle operators and the changes that are due in its calculation. 

The European Union sets permitted weights and dimensions for vehicles on international journeys within the EU. National governments can also set their own limits for domestic journeys. Goods vehicles must carry a plate showing permitted or authorised axle and gross weights.

It is an offence to use an unroadworthy vehicle on the road. The Vehicle Operator Services Agency (VOSA) is responsible for enforcing the law. It is actively involved in HGV and trailer testing and employing examiners, who conduct yearly roadworthiness tests, hold roadside spot checks and inspect operators’ own maintenance records. The Traffic Commissioners may take into account the number of annual test failures and roadside prohibitions incurred when an operator applies for an O-licence var...