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RECENT AND IMMINENT LEGISLATION
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 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 Road Vehicles Registration Regulations 1998. 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 231 to 232.75; HGVs rise from £65 to £73.50.
The Finance Act 1997 (Commencement 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.
The Driving Licences (Community Driving Regulations 1998. CIF 1 July 1998. Introduce legislation for the issue of photocard driving licences.
The Motor Vehicles (Test) (Amendment) Regulations 1998. 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 Testing) (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 of Fitness, Equipment, Use and Certificntirm' (Amendment) Regulations 1998 CIF 1 August 1998. Amends fees payable regarding certificates of initial fitness for certain vehicles, specifically relating to seat-belt anchorages.
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No3) Regulations 1998. CIF 1 July 1998. Introduces new Fee levels. Eg: First full licence, £6; HGV renewal, £26 (up from £21).
The Motor Vehicle (EC Type Approval) Regulations 1998. CIF 23 September 1998. Consolidate and revoke earlier Type Approval regulations from 1 9921997, mainly concerning light passenger vehicles. Certificates of Conformity must also be in order. Similar provisions are introduced for parts for motor vehicles (not limited to light passenger vehicles).
The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) (No41 Regulations 1998. CIF 11 September 1998. Provide for
insulin-dependant diabetic licence holders to be re-assessed on a case-bycase basis for reinstatement of their entitlement to drive Category Cl and Cl +E vehicles, subject to laid-down medical standards.
The Community Drivers' Hours and Recording Equipment (Amendment) Regulations 1998. CIF 24 August 1998. Introduce on amendment to the Transport Act 1968 which now clarifies the position regarding tachographs and the use of dual-purpose vehicles towing trailers; a further section deals with tachographs and health service vehicles.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
• Drinking and driving: 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 3 July 1998.
• 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 illegal vehicles: Consultation is now underway by the DOT to introduce impounding of vehicles operating without 0-licences.
• Driving test changes: The DSA is currently inviting views on its proposals for changes to the car practical driving test. Revisions could take effect from next April.
• The Working Time Directive: The application of working time rules to the road transport industry is still under discussion. Regulations applying to most other employees in the UK came into force on 1 October.