• A complete revision of operators' licence forms is recommended
Page 20
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by the RHA licensing committee. This stems from submission by the DoE of draft proposals for changing forms GV79/80/81 and the committee has advised the Department that GV79 should include details of the operator's parking and maintenance facilities as well as documentary evidence of any agreement on leasing or rental of premises.
Information of this kind is not required by the present form and the committee contends that this omission implies encouragement by the DoE of the use of commercial vehicles without proper parking arrangements being available. Furthermore, it is said that the design of the present form has led to licensed vehicles being left on the streets overnight because of the impression given that a parking site need not be provided. Other suggestions are (a) that it should be a condition of licence grant that the relevant vehicles should be suitably based and the location of the bases should be specified on the application form; (b) maintenance requirements and liability should be clarified and operators left in no doubt that they have to keep records, that these must cover the previous 15 months and must be made available to an enforcement officer within a specified time; (c) it should be stressed that failure to comply with requirements could lead to revocation or suspension of the licence. Enforcement, the committee says, should be applied 24 hours a day and there is a suggestion that the -RHA should employ staff to help stamp out unlawful operation.