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European e xammers share differences

5th July 2001, Page 7
5th July 2001
Page 7
Page 7, 5th July 2001 — European e xammers share differences
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E Vehicle examiners from all over Europe have confirmed what many international drivers have known for years: the way HGV offences are dealt with varies from country to country.

Last week examiners from France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Holland and Ireland joined their UK colleagues at the Vehicle Inspectorate's Bristol Headquarters for a week-long "exchange of ideas".

The most marked differences seem to be in the documentation that each country requires visiting drivers to carry. It was agreed that a standard list should be agreed on by all EU member countries.

Other discrepancies were highlighted when each delegation was given a set of identical tachograph charts to analyse and asked what action they would take at a roadside check in their country.

Despite obvious faults, the French examiners said they would take no action; the Dutch said they would not take action unless other offences were found. Only the Belgian and UK examiners said they would take any action.

Maximum fines for overloading are five times higher in the UK than they are in France. Drivers are only forced to unload in Holland if their vehicles are 20% overweight: in the UK the limit is 5%.

All the examiners agreed it was extraordinary that such discrepancies exist, given that they all work to the same EU legislation.

• See Comment, page 9.

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Organisations: European Union

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