has teamed up with Donald Armour from the Freight Transport
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Association legal department to highlight the latest changes to UK and EU transport law, lie is unable to take telephone calls at CM'S offices but written enquiries will be passed on.
RECENT &. IMMINENT LEGISLATION
The Unfair Dismissal and Statement of Reasons for Dismissal (Variation of Qualifying Period) Order 1999. CIF 1June 1999. Reduces the qualifying period giving employees protection against unfair dismissal from two years to one year, and requires employers to give written reasons for a dismissal (if requested).
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF 1 August 1999. Simply amend the definition of "The Emissions Publication" referred to in Schedule 7B to the C&U Regulations 1986 to refer to the most recent (ie the fifth) edition of this publication.
The Motor Cars (Driving Instruction) (Admission of Community Licence Holders) Regulations 1999. CIF lApril 1999. Provide that the holder of an EEA state-issued driving licence may be registered as an
approved driving instructor without having to change his existing licence.
Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF 10 February 1999. Increase a variety of driving test and driving licence fees.
The Road Vehicles (Authorised Weight) Regulations 1998. CIF 1 January 1999. Amend the C&U Regulations 1986 to allow new maximum authorised weights for vehicles and
vehicle combinations.
The Transport of Dangerous Goods (Safety Advisers) Regulations 1999. CIF: 1March 1999. Implement Directive 96/35 regarding the appointment and qualification of Dangerous Goods Safety Advisers. UK companies covered by the regulations and loading or transporting dangerous goods by road or rail are required to appoint safety advisers by 21 December 1999.
The Carriage of Dangerous Goods (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF: 5 March 1999. Implement changes from ADR and RID agreements, including markings on swap-bodies/ containers, formats of written emergency instructions and training requirements.
The Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (Amendment) Order 1999. CIF 16 June 1999. Empowers local authorities to impose 20mph speed limits without obtaining the consent of the Secretary of State.
The Driving Licences (Exchangeable Licences) Order 1999. CIF 2 July 1999. Enables a person holding South African or Canadian entitlements to exchange a driving licence for a car and other, predominantly lightweight, categories.
The Goods Vehicle Operators (Qualifications) Regulations 1999. CIF lOctober 1999. Amends operator licensing legislation to take into account new requirements of the Admission to the Occupation directive; for example, as regards good repute and financial standing.
The Motor Vehicles (Third Party Ricks) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF 17 September 1999. Remove the need for a person apOiing for a vehicle excise licence to produce evidence of insurance cover provided the insurer has an agreement with the authorities and maintains an electronic database for verification purposes. The Motor Vehicles (Test) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF 1September 1999. Amend annual MoT test fees for light vehicles and PSVs. The fee for goods vehicles not exceeding 3,500kg increases from £32.70 to £33.80.
The Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1999. CIF 23 July 1999. Amend The Motor Vehicles (Approval) (Amendment) Regulations 1996 so that vehicles meeting UK-equivalent approval regulations in another EEA state may be deemed to meet UK requirements.
The Motor Vehicles Regulations 1999. CIF 1September 1999. Prescribe the fees payable for the examination of vehicles in oonnection with EC and national-type schemes.
The Motor Vehicles (EC Type Approval) (Amendment No2) Regulations 1999. CIF 16 September 1999. Amend the 1998 regulations by adding to the lists of amending separate directives with Schedule 1.
• CIF: Comes into force.
FUTURE LEGISLATION
• MoT testing: A bill designed to give practical effect to the computerisation of the MoT testing scheme for cars and light vans is currently before the House of Lords, NI ABS braking systems: EU directive requirements to extend the use of ABS systems to all vehicles larger than cars and car-derived vans will be subject to national consultation later this year.
• Underrun protection: The European Commission has published proposals for the fitment of underrun bumpers to new vehicles exceeding 3.5 tonnes GVW.
• Second-generation tachographs: A framework regulation was approved by EU ministers in 1998. Technical specification and operational requirements are now being finalised and agreed by member states. Introduction in new vehicles could begin early in 2002.
• Working Time Directive: Application of the rules to the road transport sector is still under discussion. No agreement yet on specific rules for drivers, but Social Affairs Ministers have agreed to apply the main directive to exclude non-mobile employees.
• Bus stop parking: The DOT is inviting comments on proposals giving local authorities greater powers to ban the loading and unloading of vehicles at bus stops. Restrictions would operate 24 hours a day, instead of from 07:00hrs.
• Prohibition of asbestos in brake linings: The DOT has issued papers seeking views on proposed new regulations on specifications for road vehicle brake linings.
• Animal Transport: Further restrictions on the transport of animals are proposed in a new animal welfare consultation. Activities previously exempted from WATO are likely to be included.