A consultation on
the implementation of new EU rules covering the licensing of
lorry, bus and coach operators was announced today by Roads
Minister Mike Penning.
The European rules under which hire and reward operators are
licensed are being changed by a new EC Regulation coming into
force in December 2011. This includes a requirement for all member
states to establish a national register of operators as already
exists in the UK. It will also require other member states to act
on information from UK enforcement agencies when operators commit infringements.
Mike Penning said:
"The operator licensing system exists to make sure that
the buses, lorries and coaches using our roads are operated safely
and legally.
"These new EU measures will help to level the playing
field for UK operators by making sure that there are effective
mechanisms in all member states to allow enforcement agencies to
report illegal activity by foreign vehicles.
"Our proposals for the implementation of these new EU
rules will help to strengthen the operator licensing system and
improve road safety without imposing unnecessary burdens on
industry."
The areas covered in the consultation include the role of
transport managers, how operators can demonstrate sufficient
financial standing and how operators’ transport managers can
demonstrate their professional competence.
The consultation starts today and seeks views on how the new
rules can best be implemented by the Traffic Commissioners, who
issue operator licences and take enforcement action against those
who break those rules. The consultation can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/open/2011-11/
and will close on 20 th May 2011.
Notes to Editors
1. The current EC rules on operator licensing are contained in
EC Directive 96/26/EC as amended by Council Directive 98/76/EC and
2004/66/EC. These will be replaced by EC Regulation 1071/2009
which will apply from 4 December 2011. These new rules affect
fare-paying passenger vehicles and the haulage industry. 2. The
key areas where the consultation exercise seeks views are: The
role of transport managers The transport manager is given more
prominence in the new rules and in some cases, there are
restrictions on how many operators and vehicles they can be
responsible for. Under the new arrangements transport managers
will be able to receive an EC-wide ban if they break the rules.
Financial standing Operators must continue to demonstrate that
they have enough finance to run their business properly, there are
new rules on how it can be demonstrated. Professional competence
There are new rules on how operators’ transport managers can
demonstrate their professional competence or claim ‘grandfather
rights’ and on how the certificate of professional competence is
awarded from December 2011. Establishment There are new rules on
how operators must prove that they are properly established and
there are proposals to increase the fines available for operating
without a valid operator licence and not declaring offences.
National registers The Regulation establishes a national register
of operators in each member state. 3. The consultation will run
from 4th April 2011 to 20th May 2011 4. Copies of the consultation
package are available from [webpage] or can be requested by
emailing steve.blackmore@dft.gsi.gov.uk or by telephoning 020 7944
3339. Press Enquiries: 020 7944 3066Out of Hours: 020 7944
4292Public Enquiries: 0300 330 3000Department for Transport
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Contacts:
DfT Press Office - Roads
Phone: DfT Press Office 020 7944 3066
nds.dft@coi.gsi.gov.uk