PSV 0-licences planned for '78
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AN OPERATOR'S LICENCE, broadly on the lines of the present goods vehicle 0 licence, could soon replace individual psv licences on vehicles.
This suggestion by the DoE is aimed at easing compliance with the impending EEC regulations that insist on minimum qualifications for admission to the occupation of passenger transport manager.
The DoE has asked the passenger trade associations for their views on the following proposals: • The scope of the EEC Directive.
The Directive at present aims to include the operation of passenger services for payment by all vehicles carrying eight or more passengers.
• How far practical experience can be accepted as proof of competence.
The DoE makes it clear that it is not prepared to accept practical experience alone as a basis for allowing someone to have a passenger transport operator's licence except in the case of very small fleets.
The DoE paper says: "A suitable criterion for fully commercial operators might be a minimum of three consecutive years in charge of the day-to-day operations."
For operators of more than three vehicles the DoE suggests that the industry could suggest a suitable minimum standard, and then a list could be drawn up of present examinations that already reach that standard. For operation of less than three vehicles the DoE suggests that the applicant for a transport operator's licence should have to pass an oral interview with the chairman of the Traffic Commissioners.
• Operators' licensing The DoE suggests that the present psv licence should be replaced by a five-year operator's licence. The applicant would have to be of "good repute, financial stand ing and have reached a minimum standard of professional competence," The transition to these operators' licences could begin on January 1, 1978, says the DoE.