Drivers’ hours rules
DURING the next two weeks the Freight Transport Association will be running a series of free member briefings at venues across the UK on the new drivers’ hours rules, together with a wider legal update on new transport regulations for 2007.
The new EU drivers’ hours rules take effect from 11 April 2007 and the FTA says companies need to understand the forthcoming changes and decide how they will manage and plan for the new rules. As a result, the Association has combined its detailed knowledge of European and domestic legislation with insight and experience gained from its background in analysing and advising on drivers’ hours compliance to inform the presentations, which will be given by FTA’s expert compliance team.
Each of the briefings will: review the implications of the new legislation and provide guidance on its application; explain the changes to exemptions and derogations from the rules; give details of the changes to rest periods and breaks and explore the practical implications to clarify the changes of definitions that will affect the way the rules are interpreted; explain the latest position in relation to changes to operator and consignor liability offences; and give practical in-use compliance advice and guidance on the real-life issues presented by the new rules.
The venues, dates and times for briefings with places remaining are: Durham, 16 January (09.00–11.00); Coventry, 17 January (14.00–16.00); Chorley, 18 January (09.00–11.00); Nottingham, 18 January (14.00–16.00); Exeter, 22 January (17.00–19.00); Barnsley, 23 January (09.00–11.00); Cambridge, 23 January (14.00–16.00); and Cardiff, 25 January (17.00–19.00).
In addition to drivers’ hours, the briefing will also look at speed limiters, ADR, mirrors, graduated fixed penalties, operator licensing, digital tachographs and the London Low Emission Zone.
FTA members seeking to book attendance should contact the FTA’s Member Service Centre by e-mail stating the delegate(s) they are booking (maximum of two per company) and the preferred venue and date. Alternatively, call FTA’s Member Service Centre on tel: (08717) 112222.
