Drivers & operation

Since 30 November 2014, toll charging at the Dartford Crossing in Kent has changed. In an effort to reduce congestion in the area, toll plazas have been removed and replaced with a remote, advanced payment system called ‘Dart Charge’.

The driver card (credit card size with an embedded microchip) is crucial to the whole system. Issued by the DVLA, each card is unique to each individual driver and carries their identification information and other essential data.

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) was introduced on the 10 September 2009 and is intended to ensure that vocational drivers meet the increasing demands placed on them - in particular, by improving road safety and promoting the efficient operation of commercial vehicles. It also aims to make the occupation more attractive and accessible to younger people.

Any person who drives a motor vehicle on a public road must hold a driving licence showing an entitlement to drive the type of vehicle being driven.

Drivers of all commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes permissible maximum weight (pmw), must comply with strict rules governing driving time, break periods and daily/weekly rest periods.

The London Congestion Charging Scheme is designed to reduce congestion and make journey and delivery times in the capital more reliable.

In many areas, heavy vehicles must follow pre-specified routes and therefore, may be prohibited from following others. Certain geographical areas, especially London, also impose bans on the movement or parking of goods vehicles. These bans and restrictions will always be marked with appropriate signs and drivers must always observe and obey them.

Drivers may be stopped at the roadside by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) for vehicle inspections. They will generally use a company’s Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) to determine which of those vehicles should be stopped.

Operator licensing is the legal system in the UK for controlling the use of commercial vehicles for trade or business purposes.

From 1 October 2012 a new piece of legislation, the Protection of Freedoms Act, came into force. As well as a clamping and towing ban, it deals with a wide range of issues including reforms of the Criminal Records Check and storage of DNA data. This ban also includes the introduction of keeper liability and the launch of an independent appeals service.

As part of its Good Driving Campaign, the RHA proactively works hard to build on the culture of good driving that exists among professional truck drivers in the UK. The industry has a good record but we must never be complacent and should always be looking to do better. Being vigilant will help to ensure that high standards of safety continue.

A two-tier ‘alert status’ system is in place for extreme weather conditions including: flooding, fog, ice, snow and high winds. When a severe weather warning is issued by the UK Met Office and the alert status is amber, goods vehicles should be prepared for severe weather. If possible, they should choose the safest route, rather than the quickest. If the alert is red, goods vehicles should leave the road network and find a safe place to park. They must then wait until the status changes back to amber.

Tachographs record driving activity against time, speed and distance travelled by a vehicle fitted with such a device. Digital tachographs can record additional events and activities. The use of tachographs for record-keeping purposes in vehicles operating within the scope of the EU Drivers’ Hours rules is governed by EU Regulations EU561/2006 and EU165/2014.

The Road Transport Directive (RTD)