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Perishable goods
Page 44
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One of our vehicles was stopped on a Sunday in Germany carrying perishable goods and machinery. The Hungarian driver's passport was taken away until he paid a spot fine of €2,000. I know that vehicle movements on Sunday are restricted in some Continental countries but I understood that you were allowed to continue your journey if carrying fresh produce. How does the law stand?
John Taylor, JT Farming, Hungary In Germany there are restrictions on the movements of vehicles with maximum permissible weights in excess 01 7.5 tonnes. In addition these restrictions are frequently extended to include Saturdays in July and August.
There are exceptions to the restrictions, which generally apply to combined rail/road goods transport subject to certain conditions and also to the transport of certain fresh and perishable products. From the detail provided in your question, there may he grounds to challenge the validity of the fine which was imposed. But you are advised to seek specialist advice first.
Tow and row
I'm vice-president of a rowing club. Will we be affected by the driver CPC regulations? Although I'm a HGV holder, our ordinary members are not and they frequently move boats which involves towing a large trailer. usually with a Range Rover. The unladen trailer weighs about half a tonne.
Patrick Rodden, Greenock, Strathclyde
If your members simply tow a trailer. carrying a rowing boat. behind a family car for club purposes, it is unlikely that the new Driver Training Directive will apply to them. As long as the combination of motor vehicle and trailer can be driven under Category B or B+E then the driver will not need to hold a CPC.
Your drivers should check the maximum authorised masses of both towing vehicle and trailer to determine which category of licence is required. You can find the various categories on the DVLAwebsite, www.dvla.gov.uk The new rules have not yet been fully finalised and are still undergoing a period of consultation. If you wish to comment upon them or add your own thoughts then you can complete the consultation questionnaire on the DSAwebsite. www.dsa.gov.uk
Generation game
We want to fit a generator permanently to an 11 -tonne truck for use in the construction trade. There's no element of hire or reward envisaged. Will we be exempt from the 0-licence regulations?
Karl McVitty, Proprep, Chester You will not need an operator's licence as long as the generator is permanently. or essentially permanently, fixed to your vehicle and the truck itself does not carry any other items except equipment that is required for the running of the generator. This means that you could not use the vehicle to carry any other work tools or building materials.
If you do need the vehicle to carry other equipment or materials then the vehicle will have to be subject to an 0-licence. As the vehicle is solely used within your business and you do not carry for hire or reward, you could obtain a restricted 0-licence. This means that you are exempt from the requirement to have a CPC holder.