FUTURE LEGISLATION
Page 52
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• Driver licensing: new measures including staged testing, a limit on car licence holders of 3.5 tonnes gross, theory part of driving test and photocard driving licences. First consultation completed—draft regulations awaited. Changes due 1 July 1996. Current licence holders will retain all current entitlement except new higher eyesight standards for LGV and PCV drivers, which may be retrospective. • London lorry ban: DOT have appointed consultants to study costs/benefits of abolishing the permit scheme—enabiing legislation in the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994. There are no plans to abolish the ban itself.
• Special Waste Regulations: New UK Regulations on the transport of Special Waste to implement the EU Hazardous Waste Directive. Likely implementation January 1996.
• Weights & Dimensions: proposals to increase weight limit of two axle rigicls from 17 tonnes to 18 tonnes and to increase ‘Wch-k limit of non-refrigerated vehicles to 255m under consultation. • Seat belts: Government decision awaited on proposals to require fitment of lap belts in all minibuses and coaches used specifically for transporting children up to 16. • Emissions tests: The Environment Bill (Currently before Parliament) has been amended dropping proposals to allow officials other than uniformed police officers to stop vehicles prior to emissions tests. London boroughs are still seeking permission for borough officials to stop vehicles for such tests. The FTA, RHA, RAC and AA have jointly petitioned against this.
• Motorways in Scotland: draft regulations to replace 1964 regulations and bring them into line with motorway rules in England and Wales.
• MoT Tests: Proposals to increase MoT test fee including cars and light vans raised to 227.38 and light goods vehicles to £29.84 under consultation.
• 0-licence Exemptions: Proposals to amend exemptions to 0licensing and plating and testing under consultation. • VED Evasion VED evasion proposals to introduce wheelclamping for VED evasion now under consultation. EU • Animal Transport: EU currently considering proposals for implementing directives on travelling time, feeding/watering requirements and vehicle construction standards. • Second generation tachographs: amending regulation providing for full electronic alternative or smart card add on to existing equipment now adapted by Commission as formal proposals. Under consultation but Little progress at EU level. • Dangerous goods and Environment—Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor Directive: previously known as risk prevention officer directive, the directive reached "common position" at the March 1 995 Council of Transport Ministers meeting The proposal requires companies involved in road, rail or inland waterway transport of dangerous goods to appoint a trained person to advise on dangerous goods regulations. Likely implementation by end of 1999.
• ADR--HSE consultation document an the new ADR: aligned carriage of dangerous goods by road regulations is expected in September 1995. Implementation of new rules intended for 1 June 1996 with a transitional period to November 1997.