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FUTURE LEGISLATION

18th January 2007
Page 40
Page 40, 18th January 2007 — FUTURE LEGISLATION
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

Corporate manslaughter: The government wishes to introduce a new offence to hold organisations to account for gross failings by their senior management that have had fatal consequences. As a corporate offence, it will not apply to individual directors or others (CM 21 September 2006).

Driver Training Directive: Requires the initial and five-yearly periodic training of professional goods and passenger vehicle drivers. The operational training will include fuel economy, drivers' hours and customer service, and is referred to as a Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). Great Britain and Northern Ireland are expected to draft and introduce legislation by early 2007; for goods vehicle drivers initial training will start in 2009. The earliest date that periodic training will need to be completed is September 2012 for goods vehicle drivers, and for some this date could be as late as 2016 (CM 19 October 2006).

EU drivers' hours: EC regulation 561/2006 implements changes from 11 April 2007 to the scope, exemptions and definitions of rules on rest and breaks. It also introduces further changes to the production of records at the roadside from 1 January 2008 (CM 27 July 2006).

Red diesel: HM Revenue and Customs is expected to amend the list of vehicles that are permitted to use rebated fuel. Unlicensed vehicles not used on public roads will need to make a SORN declaration; the tractor/ agricultural, limited road use and mobile crane categories will be reworded; and the road construction vehicle category will be removed. In addition, there will be two new categories: road surfacing vehicles and agricultural material handlers. The changes arc expected to take effect from 11 April 2007.

Operator licensing changes: The DfT intends to make changes to the operator licensing system. These are to introduce: • Centralisation of licence administration to the Leeds unit by April 2007.

• New administrative arrangements for holders of more than one licence by spring 2007.

• Reformed licensing and vehicle test fees from April 2008.

• The removal of the 28-day period of grace to use vehicles on the margin, and the abolition of paper discs from April 2008 (CM 9 February 2006).

London congestion charging zone extension: The Mayor of London has approved plans to extend the central London congestion charge zone westwards from 19 February to include most of Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster.

Smoking ban in England: The ban in all enclosed public places and workplaces in England is expected to begin on 1 July. It will prohibit smoking in all offices, factories, shops. pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs, public transport and work vehicles that are used by more than one person. Similar legislation is expected for Wales.

Vosa fee increases: Vosa plans to increase its fees by an average of 5.5% for the period August 2007-April 2008. The rise will apply to existing truck and bus tests and 0-licensing fees. Also, statutory fees will be introduced for ADR approval and single-vehicle approval.

Tags

Organisations: European Union
Locations: London

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