04-04-06 New EU Drivers' Hours
The following new rules for commercial operators will come into effect in May (the exact date will be announced shortly). Drivers must be able to produce:
• Their record sheet for the current fixed week and those used by the driver in the previous 15 calendar days that were prior to the current fixed week
• Any manual record and printout made during the current fixed week and those used by the driver in the previous 15 calendar days that were prior to the current fixed week
• Their driver card (if they hold one)
If a driver does not have a serviceable driver card, they must print out their vehicle details and enter onto the printout their name or driver's licence number, and their signature. The undertaking must keep record sheets and printouts in chronological order for at least a year after use and issue copies to any drivers who request them.
Due to the scale of these changes, VOSA will be adopting a ‘light touch’ enforcement policy until the new drivers’ hours are introduced in 2007. However, international operators are urged to fully comply, as they may be subjected to a more rigid application of the rules.
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NOTES TO EDITOR:
VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) is responsible for:
Processing applications for licences to operate lorries and buses and registering bus services
Operating and administering testing schemes for all vehicles, including the supervision of the MOT testing scheme
Enforcing the law on vehicles to ensure that they comply with legal standards and regulations
Enforcing drivers' hours and licensing requirements
Supporting Traffic Commissioners to help them make informed decisions on operator licensing, vocational drivers and bus registration requirements
Providing training and advice for commercial operators
Investigating vehicle accidents, defects and recalls
For media enquiries about VOSA, please contact: Zita Galambosi on 0117 954 2561/ zita.galambosi@vosa.gov.uk, or Henry Norman on 0117 954 3208/ henry.norman@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 25/09/2006