Rigid drivers lose trailers
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• Thousands of drivers of rigids currently pulling oneaxled trailers will be forbidden to do so from 1 January 1997.
Under the changes in EU rules, hauliers who passed their C or I) (class 2+3) driving tests after April 1991, and are currently entitled to pull one-axled trailers weighing up to five tonnes, will be restricted to trailers up to 750kg after the Christmas break.
The group most likely to be affected will be construction contractors pulling plant such as heavy compressors and brick carriers. Drivers will have to take an extra test (including a written exam) to continue to pull heavier trailers.
The Department of Transport is not writing to drivers about the changes, relying instead on a poster campaign at post offices.
• This move is the latest anomaly to come to light as a result of Britain's adoption of the second European Commission directive on driving licences that has been condemned throughout the road haulage industry.