Overloading could cost your licence
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• Hauliers heavily fined for offences such as overloading could lose their 0-licences under a European Commission proposal to make it harder to enter the haulage industry.
The threat to 0-licences comes in the EC Directive designed to harmonise entry qualifications to the industry across the European Union (CM 24-30 April).
The EC proposes that a haulier will be deemed to have lost his good repute if he is convicted of a "serious offence". It defines this as one attracting a three-month prison sentence or carrying a fine of £2,500. Overloading carries a maximum fine of £5,000.
Other proposed changes include the possibility of looking into operators' financial standing every two-and-a-half years.
This is on top of an increase in the amount needed by prospective hauliers to show they are of good financial standing. An 0-licence applicant will have to prove he has £6,400 for the first vehicle and £3,500 for all subsequent vehicles he wants on his licence.
The Directive would also end the difference between international and domestic licences. Instead it would introduce a tougher certificate of professional competence exam, including questions on VAT, tolls and damage claims.