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Transport Compliance News from Fleet Planner
In this thread you can find information about the latest offers and services from Fleet Planner Compliance Solutions.
You can ask questions regarding fleet compliance, operator’s licence, FORS accreditation and many more transport related issues.
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This topic is OK’ed by Admin. dd.
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I’ve moved the off-topic questions to the Feedback Forum, then answered them there.
Split from: The Fleet Planner thread - FEEDBACK FORUM - Let Us Know! (INTERACTIVE) - Trucknet UK
This thread can now carry on as intended by the OP. 
In a response to the COVID-19 crisis Fleet Planner is offering an extended free trial of our software. If you are considering moving away from using the paper daily walkaround checks why not take advantage of our offer.
fleetplanner.co.uk/user/registe … =truck-net
Q: Do I need to download drivers’ tachograph cards during the COVID-19 crisis?
A: Drivers who are currently driving still need to download their tachograph card. However, in some situations, drivers may be unable to download their card. For example the place where download equipment is located may be inaccessible due to COVID-19.
If operators are unable to ensure drivers’ card downloads are carried out due to COVID-19, a record of this should be made and provided to a DVSA examiner if requested.
Furloughed drivers need to download their tachograph card when they return to driving. Drivers do not need to download every 28 days if they are not driving.
Operators still need to download vehicles’ unit data every 90 days. If they are unable to due to COVID-19, a record of this should be made and provided to a DVSA examiner if requested.
*DVSA Guidance on Recording mobile working time and furloughing 28/05/2020
Drivers have been granted 7 month photocard licence extension
The extension applies to drivers with a photocard driving licence due to expire between 1 February and 31 August 2020.
Three most common reasons for a Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry
A Traffic Commissioner’s Public Inquiry is a public hearing held in front of a Traffic Commissioner.
These are held for three reasons:
• To determine the application for an operator’s licence
• To review the operating centre facilities (vehicle parking) for an operator’s licence
• Regulatory reasons – in most cases disciplinary action against an operator
Traffic Commissioner’s regulatory action is triggered after evidence emerges that an operator is not fulfilling their operator’s licence undertakings (this often leads to a Public Inquiry).
Operator’s licence undertakings are promises made to the Traffic Commissioner during application for the licence. Many people do not pay due attention to them and simply sign the application without realising their importance.
Do you know your operator licence undertakings? You should check your licence documents as they refer to your obligations to keep vehicles and drivers legal and safe on the road and to ensure that required records will be kept.
Common routes to a Public Inquiry include:
• Prohibition at a DVSA road side stop: S marked prohibitions are especially likely to draw the attention of DVSA officers to an operator’s maintenance systems. After all, if one vehicle is found in a poor and unsafe condition then it is fair to suspect that the system of keeping vehicles safe is not working. This includes; driver pre-use checks with proper quality checks, vehicle inspections (including brake testing), adequate record keeping and lack of appropriate assessment of the workshop carrying out required inspections. (i.e. Are they up to date with the “Guide to maintaining roadworthiness”). Prohibitions also lead to a poor OCRS score which gives DVSA a negative picture and possible reason to investigate. If a follow up visit from the DVSA is unsatisfactory this would be reported to the Traffic Commissioner who will take the appropriate action against the licence holder.
• Failure to notify of important changes to the licence: An operator is required to inform the Traffic Commissioner about any changes to the licence. This includes entity of the business, director and transport manager changes, financial standing issues or any other events that are affecting the licence. Many people forget to notify about these changes, with one of the most common being the change of the entity from a sole trader to a limited company. A newly formed company is a different entity therefore requires to hold its own licence.
• Driver’s hours offences: The world of EU Driver’s Hours regulations and exemptions is complicated and misinterpreted by many people. Regular drivers’ hours infringements as well as a failure to keep correct records are significant breaches of the operator’s licence undertakings. Regular offenders who are unable to demonstrate the required control of drivers’ hours monitoring are likely to be called to appear before a Public Inquiry.
If you feel a compliance review would be beneficial to your organisation, please get in touch via email support@fleetplanner.co.uk or 01163 500335 for a friendly chat. We are here to help. Our consultants are fully qualified transport managers with years of experience in the industry. Fleet Planner is a fleet management system designed to make transport compliance easier to achieve.
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The EU drivers’ hours and tachographs rules will change on 20 August 2020.
Operators and drivers should review the changes to the current rules and prepare to comply from 20 August 2020.
Changes to EU driving rules from 20 August
EU drivers’ hours and tachograph rules will change on 20 August.
The new rules will include:
-a requirement for drivers’ to ‘return home’ every 4 weeks
-a ban on taking regular weekly rest periods in the driver’s vehicle
-a new definition of ‘non-commercial carriage’
-more flexibility on the scheduling of the rest periods for some drivers on international carriage of goods
-new provisions for rests and breaks for drivers when journeys involve transport by ferry or by rail
-a new requirement to keep a full record of all other work.
Find out more: Drivers' hours: EU rules - GOV.UK
I was wondering if anyone can help. I have a driver who’s licence card shows a C Class entitlement due to expire in 2036. We have completed licence checks as usual but noticed the Class entitlement shows that he can provisionally drive Class C vehicles until 2016. There is no Class C active on his licence. He has recently sent his licence off for an SP30 and has had it returned with the same categories and dates showing. His licence was renewed in 2013 and shows no other convictions on the .GOV licence checks. I’m confused about this and need help if anyone can assist?