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The Motor Vehicles (Driving Licences) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 19 January 2012 This implements the Third EU Driving Licence Directive, including five-yearly administrative renewals of vocational licences and a new weight limit of 3.5t for trailers towed on a B+E entitlement. Entitlements obtained before 19 January are preserved.
The Road Transport (Working Time) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 11 May 2012 Brings self-employed drivers into scope of the road transport working time rules, with the obligation to observe the rules and keep records falling on the self-employed driver, rather than their customers.
The Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 6 April 2012 The qualifying period of incapacitation increases from over three to over seven days before an occupational injury or accident is required to be reported to HSE and the period of time to submit the report increases from 10 to 15 days. However, records of over three day incapacitation must be kept by employers for three years.
The Road Vehicles (Registration and Licensing) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 1 April 2012 Reduced pollution certificate test fees are increased, but a discount is offered where tests are carried out at private premises.
The Goods Vehicles (Plating and Testing) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 1 April 2012 Goods vehicle test fees are increased (by between 2.3% and 5.7%) at Vosa test stations, but decreased (by between 1.5% and 3.7%) if carried out elsewhere.
The Motor Vehicles (Tests) (Amendment) Regulations 2012, 1 April 2012 MoT test fees in relation to Class VI and vehicle import approvals vehicles are increased (by between 2.1% and 5%) at Vosa test stations, but decreased (by between 1.2 % and 2.4%) if carried out at other types of test stations. Self-employed in scope of RTD The Road Transport Directive (RTD) required self-employed mobile workers to be included in the scope of the rules from 23 March 2009. After a long wrangle in the European Parliament they are now included. The Department for Transport has amended GB rules. This will limit self-employed drivers to a 48hour working time average, a 60-hour cap and breaks from work.The obligation to ensure the rules are met and records kept fall on the self employed driver, rather than their customers. The changes came into force on 11 May, but the DfT advises that Vosa will be adopting a light touch enforcement approach for the first six months.
Northern Ireland operator licensing reform The Department of Environment intends to amend the operator licensing system to more closely align with the GB system, including the introduction of restricted licences for own account operations. Primary legislation is now in place and operators have until 30 June to apply.