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Up and coming law with the HA

16th September 2004
Page 42
Page 42, 16th September 2004 — Up and coming law with the HA
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Future legislation

EU drivers' hours rules: The European Commission has published proposals to update and amend the existing drivers hours rules (3820/ 85).The proposals were scheduled to introduce changes from 1 January 2004 but the discussion and decision process has not been completed.

Working Time Sectoral Directive: The Sectoral Directive, which applies specific rules to mobile workers subject to tachograph regulations, will come into force no later than 23 March 2005. The draft UK regulations were published in April (CM6 May).

Driver training: EU Driver Training Directive. The European Commission has published a Directive requiring initial and periodic training of professional goods and passenger vehicle drivers. The Level 2 training covers fuel economy, drivers' hours and customer service; the qualification is referred to as a Certificate of Professional Competence. Member states must lay down laws for its introduction no later than 10 September 2006 with initial training from September 2009 (CM 11 September 2003).

Lorry road user charging: The government intends to introduce a distance-based road user charge for UK and foreign vehicles using UK roads. The charge is intended to be 'tax neutral' by being offset against fuel duty, to be introduced in 2008.

Speed limiters: The European Commission has proposed a directive extending the requirement for speed limiters to be fitted to vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Fitting for new vehicles is likely to be introduced in 2005 for vehicles on international journeys, followed by new domestically operated vehicles and retrofitting from 2005 to 2008.

Third Driver Licence Directive: The European Commission has proposed a revision of European legislation on driving licences to: generalise the photocard licence and allow the introduction of a microchip; introduce a limited administrative validity of driving licences; harmonise the frequency of medical checks; end driver 'licence tourism' by introducing a pan-European application process; introduce progressive access to the most powerful motorcycles, trucks and buses: remove the flexibility of towing larger trailers on a car licence; and introduce minimum requirements for the initial qualification and training of driving examiners. The proposals are likely to receive their first reading in the European Parliament in the autumn.

Digital tachographs: European regulations require the fitment of digital tachographs to new vehicles from 5 August 2004. UK manufacturer Actia received type approval in June. The UK government has decided that it will not be enforcing the requirement to fit digital tachos from August, and the European Commission has issued a moratorium until 5 August 2005.


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