Operators up in arms over GV9
Page 16
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clearance by Martin Hays
• Operators in the South Wales and the North West are up in arms at a new procedure being adopted in their traffic areas to clear GV9s. This was revealed at the Tipper Convention at Buxton last Saturday reported on page 31.
During question time, operators from these areas asked Mr R. J. E. Dawson, head of the DoE's road transport (goods) section, why they were being asked to drive vehicles with GV9 prohibitions, after repair, to the test stations for re-examination and clearance. It is understood that these are the only areas adopting this procedure. In other areas examiners still visit operators to issue the GV10 clearance certificate. This procedure was also criticized because of the delays in obtaining the services of an examiner.
Suggestions that driving vehicles, which are under prohibition, to test staions, was an illegal practice are, however, incorrect. Section 16 (9) of the 1967 Road Safety Act permits this practice provided that an appointment has been made. The operators' objection resulted from the distance they were required to travel from their premises. In many instances this amounted to 30-40 miles and the costs involved wet considerable.
During the Convention Mr Dawson ha said that the operator's licence fee W4 designed to cover all the administrath charges involved in the scheme. Cl inquiries this week have revealed fin operators believe they are entitled to reduction in the o-licence fee in these area They claim they have to cover for the lac of examiners, by taking vehicles to te stations.