Q Just how can own-account operators with one vehicle survive if,
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as you say in CM March 28 about TML requirements, they have to go back to C-licence days?
I no longer carry my own goods and f have been an ownerdriver carrying for other people since 1965. Should I not get a TML "as of right"?
AYou have nothing whatso
ever to worry about in EEC legislation for TML, assuming we remain within the Community. It is quite clear that you are a haulier and thus you will need to gain a licence—it looks as if you will gain one as of right since you have been an owner-driver since 1965. The regulation states that you need to be in the post from December 31 1974 to gain a licence as of right on January 1 1978. As a safeguard, of course, it would be useful to gain a qualification by examination rather than simply relying on legislation.
We think you may have confused the terms "own-account operator" and "owner-driver." The reference to a possible return to the old C licence only referred to those carrying their own goods, whether they are a large manufacturing firm like ICI or a small grocer with one vehicle dealing with deliveries. There is no indication that the EEC wishes to eliminate the owner-driver. Indeed, it is recognised that the owner-driver has a most important contribution to make to road freight haulage.