Stiffer laws for EC hauliers
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NWritten exams and a blacklist of rogue operators are among plans to open up the EC's road haulage and PSV sectors by 1992.
The final form of the directive on Admission to the Occupation of Road Haulage Operator in National and International Transport Operations has won approval by EC transport ministers. Now each member country has to transfer the rules into national Law (see DTp proposals, page four), Unlike many other EC laws being passed in the run-up to 1992, the road haulage measure sets no firm deadlines — it will be assumed that operators granted authorisation by the end of 1989 will have adequate status, competence and financial standing under the new rules. However, the directive makes it clear that real progress has to be made if the EC is to meet the target date of 1 January 1993, for the switch to qualitative criteria in the control of transfrontier operations, as opposed to quotas.
It details the minimum qualifications and requirements to be met by new operators seeking to set up business — requirements previously left to the discretion of individual member states.
In cases involving "good repute" the new rules would count against a candidate with a criminal record and take a stronger line on offences concerning vehicle safety and drivers' hours. Operators will have to provide evidence of good financial status, including fixed minimum levels of available capital and reserves, linked with the number of vehicles operated. Some requirements could bi "waived for firms operating ont on their own national territory but to ensure compliance with the rules in international open tions, an EC blacklist will log details of operators barred in any member country.
Professional competence wi be assessed by written exams or possession of appropriate d plomas, although exemption will be granted to candidates with at least five years' management experience.