Government to cut red tape for fleet drivers and operators30 January 2014

The Department for Transport (DfT) has unveiled two more initiatives as part of its Red Tape Challenge, which, it says, will cut bureaucracy for drivers and freight operators.

As part of his Challenge update yesterday (29 January 2014), roads minister Stephen Hammond said he would commit to producing new guidance on drivers' hours and breaks, and would relax the frequency for supplying digital tachograph data.

The minister announced a proposal to increase the amount of time an operator may leave between downloading data from tachographs from 56 to 90 days.

This will allow some operators to incorporate the process with scheduled vehicle maintenance.

The DfT has asked the Freight Transport Association to lead the way in preparing new guidance on drivers' hours and breaks.

James Firth, FTA's head of road freight and enforcement policy, says the association is "delighted" to have been asked.

FTA believes drivers' hours and working time rules are complicated, and they continue to result in fixed penalties for drivers, he says.

"It is the view of FTA members that the application of the Working Time Directive to the road transport sector remains the single most burdensome piece of administration applied to the industry today," states Firth.

"But since it comes from Brussels, this Red Tape Challenge could do nothing about it. But this guidance will help operators and drivers cut through the complexities for now."

Author
Laura Cork

Related Companies
Freight Transport Association Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.