Europe—land of RHA slams HGV
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the rising van
licence plans
• The Road Haulage Association has hammered Department of Transport plans to reduce the HGV drivers licence weight threshold from 7.5 tonnes to 3.5 tonnes, and to reduce the age for mandatory medical reports to 45.
"There is no conclusive evidence that HGV drivers between the ages of 45 and 60 present a threat to road safety," says the association. "The proposal to reduce the age for mandatory medical reports to 45 cannot be accepted." This echoes the Transport and General Workers Union view (CM 14-20 January).
The RHA has also rejected Government plans to increase the role of the courts in overseeing driver conduct cases by winding down the role of the Licensing Authorities. "An extension of the role of the courts would not be a satisfac tory substitute," says the RHA, because "an increase in the already excessive legal requirements affecting employment issues would be a retrograde step."
The hauliers are also concerned that transferring the administration of HGV licences to DVLC at Swansea could lead to more delays for drivers and their companies. Before committing the system to DVLC, the RHA says "it will be important to ensure that the centre does, in fact, provide an efficient and effective service."
A number of other proposals in the driver licensing overhaul have met with RHA approval, however, including making the Secretary of State for Transport the sole Licensing Authority; creating a standard licence renewal period of five years on larger trucks; allowing test passes to remain valid throughout the driver's career provided that the relevant licence entitlement has been claimed and a licence issued within two years of passing the test; and establishing a standard set of licence categories for the member states of the European Community.