News

The ongoing Commercial Motor/ATS Euromaster nationwide legal seminar rolled into Wales last week where a strong turnout of local operators heard Welsh Traffic Commissioner Nick Jones spell out exactly what his approach to O-licensing is – and how he applies his powers.

With more operators turning to contracting out maintenance, Jones warned the audience: "You must be able to audit your third-party contractors to be sure that they're doing what they're meant to do. Otherwise, how  do you know your maintenance provider is doing it right if all you ever see is a pass certificate for an annual test?"

Getting written performance guarantees and performance indicators is key to the success of any maintenance agreement, insisted Jones, who reminded operators that the buck still stopped with the O-licence holder. Jones also reminded his audience: "Drivers parking trucks at home is a no-no – it's not an operating centre, don't do it!"

Leading transport lawyer James Backhouse told attendees that as the changing pattern of business meant the role of the transport manager was constantly expanding – "you need to go back to your companies and look at whether your transport manager can actually do all you expect them to do in the time they have to do it". That point had many delegates nodding vigorously in agreement.

The topics covered by Backhouse ranged from the Driver CPC ("Start your preparations for it now; don't wait until 2014") and the more esoteric – but no less important – implementation of the final phase of statutory holiday increases from next April, whereby workers will be entitled to 5.6 weeks of paid holiday with a cap of 28 days per year.

He also reminded the audience of the roadside deposit scheme due to come into affect next year which will cover offences committed by foreign drivers unable to provide a UK address. However, he acknowledged: "I say 'due' in 2009 as it was expected to happen in 2008."

Wrapping up the morning, Barry Ricks, head of customer guidance and education at Vosa, reminded operators of the advisory role provided by the enforcement agency, not least through its telephone contact centre.

With the agency having recently secured its long-term future over annual testing, Ricks insisted Vosa's approach would be to provide "fewer but better" stations with improved testing times and easier online booking. However, the most welcome news of the day was his confirmation of the consultation on headlamp aim and moves by Vosa to stop it being the principal reason for annual test failure.

The final Commercial Motor/ATS Euromaster legal seminar will take place at The Royal Cambridge Hotel in Cambridge, with Eastern TC Richard Turfitt and South-Eastern TC Philip Brown. To attend, call 020 8399 1184 or e-mail commercial.motor@garnett-keeler.com