The Department for Transport and the DVSA said this week that the rules would be relaxed from 18 March to 16 April for drivers of vehicles delivering essential items such as food, non-food (personal care and household paper and cleaning products) and over-the-counter medicines.
This is only applicable for the transport of goods in supermarket supply chains, including from manufacturer to distribution centre, and does not apply for deliveries direct to consumers.
RHA chief executive Richard Burnett said: “As far as the logistics industry is concerned, we are working as efficiently and as quickly as the current situation allows.
“Despite the public perception, shortages are not the problem – the problem lies with supplying the current unprecedented demand for goods. As a result, the usual efficient and cost-effective delivery schedules have gone out of the window.”
The government has published guidance on the temporary changes: click the link below.