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Rules of the road
Be a smooth operator in Italy!
Followers of this series will notice that some of the regulations are standard throughout the EEC, but we feel that it's important to repeat them in order to give a clear view of the situation in each country to readers who may have missed previous Cross Channel pages.
Public Holidays: January 1; April 4,25; May 1; August 15; November 1; December B, 25, 26.
Speed limits: • In built-up areas 50km/h '111 Vehicles with dangerous goods 30km/h • Outside built-up areas Vehicles over 8 tons 60km/h Vehicles with dangerous goods 40km/h The maximum permitted speed should be clearly marked on a plate at the rear of the vehicle. Tachograph: Tachographs must be fitted in most vehicle exceeding 3.5 tonnes gross weight (including trailer) used . for carrying goods, and any passenger vehicle constructed and equipped to carry more than nine people, including the driver.
Infringement of Regulations A heavy fine can be imposed on the spot by the Police (or Carabinieril. If you don't pay at once, the fine goes up in stages the longer you delay payment. Authorisation: Most hauliers operating for "hire or reward" must obtain a permit from the Department of Transport before they can enter or transit across Italy.
British hauliers are not allowed to carry goods between Italy and a third country. Cabotage is not permitted. Here are the different types of permits: • General quota permits are issued on a block allocation basis at the beginning of each quota year. However, the number of permits available is insufficient to meet demand. • Backloading agreements: British operators may obtain an Italian permit for every backload given.
le Non-quota permits are readily available for certain types of operation; there is no restriction on the number which may be issued during the year.
Most goods vehicles leaving the UK destined for Italy must carry a permit for Italy, and also for any country passed through in transit, ie, France or West Germany. So, when applying for Italian permits, you should quote the serial numbers of the other permits to be used on the application form.
There is an overnight "piggyback" system operated by both the French and West German Railways for which you don't need permits. Road/rail certificates must be obtained from the International Road Freight Office, Westgate House, Westgate Road, Newcastleupon-Tyne. Tel: 0632 610031. Permits amd information on the types of operation which require permits can be obtained from the IRFO.
Documents • Passport • Full national licence, provided a translation into Italian is available, or international driving permit • Vehicle registration papers (form V5) • International insurance certificate (Green Card) • Tachograph Charts • GB plate For all goods you must have a community transit document, and a CMR consignment note for all hire and reward operations. Dangerous goods Tank vehicles used for the carriage of dangerous goods must be specially certified. Contact the Department of Transport for details.
Warning triangles Warning triangles must be carried on the vehicle for use in an emergency.
Snow chains These must be used in appropriate conditions. Duty-free fuel There are restrictions on the amount of fuel which may be exported from Italy. At the Italian frontier, on entering the country, the driver must declare on an official form the total amount of fuel in the tanks so that the same amount can be exported dutyfree. Any excess is charged at 1,000L per litre. There are heavy fines for false declarations.
CFDC casebook
Ronnie Cooper is married with a little girl of two and his wife is expecting another baby in two months. He has his own company with four lorries in Staines. However, like so many people, he has been affected by the recession and for the last two or three months he has been back to driving for the firm himself. He makes regular trips to the Continent, to Switzerland and Italy especially.
Ronnie has been a member of the Continental Freight Drivers Club since 1976 and finds it has been very helpful with various minor problems. His membership lapsed in November but he took advantage of our 25% reduced rejoining fee. He also finds the DAS insurance cover a good deal.
On Tuesday May 10, Ronnie was making a trip through Calais down to Chiasso in Switzerland. Just outside Saint Omer he was stopped by the French police, and produced his papers for inspection. All was in order except, as he was taxed only the day before, his log book had been retained.
The French police therefore demanded an on-the-spot fine of 2500F as the permit appeared to be in a different name. In fact, as the log book would have shown, there was a permanent contract in both names.
The police agreed to accept a telex from the premit office in • Newcastle. Ronnie, knowing that he was in for a long wait, flagged down a passing truck driver anc asked him to contact his wife to inform Newcastle and the CFDC After having waited from earl in the morning until 3.30 in the afternoon, the police finally let him leave — before the telex hal arrived. Apparently, as Thu rsda was a public holiday in Switzerland and customs woulc have been closed, it would havE been impossible for him to offload and return on time.
The police, said Ronnie, were quite pleasant but were very keen on him paying a large fine. There is a strong feeling among drivers that often the police impose fines in the hope that drivers will pay up rather than miss a deadline. Luckily, in this case, despite the hours of worn, and waiting, no money changec hands, Ronnie reached his deadline thanks to some hard driving, and the CFDC was pleased to be able to help.
CFDC restaurant of the month
Our recommendation this month is provided by member David Wright of Philip Crouch Transport, who drives a Volvo F10.
He and his colleagues often get together at the Guest HOUSE Hansellman.
This can be found by taking the E 60 motorway to Mainz, off the E 61 direction Mannheim and Frankfurt. You leave the motorway just after the service area at Heidenfahrt, at the exit marked Heidesheim and at the fl junction at the end of the slip road you turn left, then right int a parking area.
The atmosphere inside the guest house is old-world German and all meals are cooked to order, so don't expec instant service. The food choice is wide. David tells me that a normal evening for him, including food, beer, coffee and brandy, costs about £5.60.
One final tip — this restaurant is popular, so it pays to arrive before 7pm if you want to secur a parking space.