28-12-07 Drivers' Hours rules enforcement by VOSA
On 11th April 2007 the new Drivers' Hours Regulations (Regulation (EC) No 561/2006) came into force. As well as changing some of the long-standing rules in respect of breaks and rest periods, they also brought into scope some categories of vehicle which had previously never been governed by the EU rules.
Categories such as minibuses with between 10 and 17 seats and specialised breakdown vehicles used in excess of 100 Km from base are two examples which fall into scope of the new rules. This means that vehicles which fall into these categories now have to be fitted with tachographs. The new regulations did however provide some concession in that operators of these vehicles would have up until 31 December 2007 to have tachographs fitted. Therefore all vehicles which now don't enjoy the exemption they did previously, must be fitted with tachographs from 1 January 2008. Furthermore, vehicles first registered after 1 May 2006 must be fitted with digital tachographs.
VOSA is acutely aware of the fact that many manufacturers of minibuses, light vans and 4 x 4 vehicles have been producing vehicles which are unable to be fitted with digital tachographs that conform to EU technical specification. Whilst we appreciate that a fitment problem does exist, we also have a responsibility to enforce the rules as they currently stand. Although we will be looking for full compliance, enforcement will be undertaken pragmatically, and each case will be judged on its own merits.
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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 Easton on 0117 954 2561 or Luke Bigwood on 0117 954 3208. You can also e-mail press@vosa.gov.uk
Page last updated: 07/01/2008