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CM has teamed up with Donald Armour from the Freight Transport Association's legal department to highlight laws in the pipeline. He is unable to take telephone calls at CM's offices but written enquiries will be passed on.
RECENT AND IMMINENT LEGISLATION
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use)
'enendme, Leions 1997. CIF 1 October 1997. Require cab notices where the overall travelling height of the vehicle exceeds 3m and automatic warning devices from 1 April/1 October 1998 [dependent upon the age of the vehicle) when power-operated high-level equipment is fitted.
The Vehicle Excise Duty (Immobilisation, Removal and Disposal Vehicles) Regulations 1997. CIF 3 November 1997. Introduce provisions for the immobilisation, removal and disposal of unlicensed motor vehicles found stationary on public roads in England and Wales, replacing earlier regulations. Includes Scotland from 15 June 1998.
The Road Vehicles (Statutory Off-Road Notification) Regulations 1997. CIF 15 January 1998. Require vehicle keepers to notify the DVLA if they intend to keep a vehicle off the road untaxed, and to declare where it will be kept.
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use ent) (No 3) RegulotL 19r CIF 1 July 1998. Amend regulation 36A of Construction and Use Regulations 1986 with regard to speed limiters on buses and coaches.
The Motor Vehicles (Ae (AmencHent) Regulations 1998. CIF 30 April 1998. Introduce further changes to the Motor Vehicles (Approval) Regulations 1996 affecting certificates of conformity and type approval certificates.
The .Traffic Signs (len:
OtIctrirtions Regulations 1997 CIF 1 March 1998. Allow individuals to place specified traffic signs on roads in connection with temporary obstructions, to warn other road users.
The Road Vehicice Registration Fee Regulations 199F: CIF 1 April 1998. Introduce an administration fee of £25 for the initial registration of all vehicles in the UK, with limited exceptions.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No 2) Regulations 1998. CIF 1 April 1998. Introduce increased fees for driving tests. Cars rise from £31 to £32.75; HGVs rise from £65 to £73.50.
The Finance Act 1997 (.Cornmencement No 2) Order 1998. CIF 1 April 1998. Brings into effect Schedule 3 of the Act, with new regulations governing the display of VED licences on exempt vehicles.
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 3) Regulations 1998. CIF 1 June 1998. Introduce amendments affecting maximum length, turning circles, rear under-run protection and various other items.
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No 4) Regulations 1998. CIF 1 August 1998. Mechanical coupling devices in relation to light passenger vehicles [category M1) must be type approved and must comply with Directive 94/20/EC.
I he Driving Licences (Commu, Driving 1,kencel Regulations 1998. CIF 1 July 1998. Introduce legislation for the issue of photocard driving licences.
The Motor Vehicles (Test) (Amendment) Re "''' CIF 1 August 1998. Introduce MoT test requirements covering the quality of installation and condition of seatbelts in minibuses, buses and coaches. Revised test fees also came into force on 1 August.
The Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testieo (Amendment) Regulations 1998 CIF 1 August 1998. The fees payable on first examination or subsequent test are increased by 10%. The rate for a two-axle vehicle rises from £32 to £35.20; the rate for a triaxle trailer rises from £17.90 to £19.70.
The Public Service Vehicles (Conditions at Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certification)
(Amendne Reguice 5 1998, CIF 1 August 1998. Amends fees payable regarding certificates of initial fitness for certain vehicles, specifically relating to seatbelt anchorages.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
• Drinking and drivinr DOT is now considering proposals to lower the legal blood alcohol limit and other measures to reduce the number of accidents attributable to drink-driving.
• Second-generation tachographs: Common position reached by EU Transport Ministers on a framework regulation. Much technical detail still to be agreed. The earliest possible date for fitment to new vehicles is mid-2001.
• Dangerous goods safety advisers: EC Directive requiring companies involved in the transport or loading/unloading of dangerous goods to appoint a safety adviser by 31 December 1999. Implementing legislation due this December to allow time for the training and examination of advisers. Consultation period closed on 3July 1998.
• The White Paper on the Working Time Directive: Sets out proposals for applying the principles of the Directive to the excluded sectors, including road transport, with unspecified new limits on driving time and other work. Consultation document now issued on the general application of the Directive in the UK.
• Proposals for Approved Tank Requirements: To comply with EC ADR framework directive. Legislation required by 1 January 1999 for new approved tank requirements and appointing approved inspectors.
• Impounding of &la! vehicles: Consultation is now underway by the DOT to introduce impounding of vehicles operating without 0-licences.
• Diabetic driv, The DOT has recently announced consultation on entitlements for diabetic drivers following public demand.
• Driving licence tees: New fee levels to be introduced shortly First full licence, was free, now £6; HGV renewal, was £21, now £26.
• Drivers' hours and tacho regulations: Clarification of the position of dualpurpose vehicles towing hailers is due soon; in most cases "vehicles used For the carriage of goods" rather than "goods vehicles" will be required to fit and use tachographs.