Easter Update

CPC Training Update

As from 12th April classroom training can take place, though government advice is to continue remote training.

More buses!

£120M set aside to create more zero emission bus services across England – meaning potentially more bus driver jobs.

Multi-million pound scheme for zero-emission buses across England launched - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Further to this, Boris Johnson announced a £3 billion bus scheme for more bus services to encourage people to use cars less. More buses will create more jobs for drivers! Read more about this here.

Prime Minister launches £3 billion bus revolution - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

UK and EU Driving licences

If your UK licence is lost, stolen or expired, you may not be able to exchange it for an EU licence. You may have to apply for an EU licence and retake your driving test. Each EU country has its own guidelines, you can find them all at:

Driving in the EU: UK licence holders living in the EU - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

On a route leaving the UK? Coronavirus testing.

You must test negative before traveling to / through Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands. A test is required in the 24 hours before travel (48 for Germany). Free tests are available at most haulier advice sites, or from work. You also need

Get a coronavirus (COVID-19) test if you’re an HGV or van driver - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Latest Vehicle Taxes for vehicles under 3500kg

All the new tax bands and prices started 1st April and are mentioned in the V149 document here:

V149_020321.jpg (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Temporary Relaxations of EU drivers hours rules for the coronavirus times have now been withdrawn and normal EU hours rules operate.

[Withdrawn] Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of the retained EU drivers’ hours rules: international and Great Britain to Northern Ireland carriage of goods - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Electric Development Funding

£54 million set aside for projects to increase electric vehicle development, hopefully creating jobs in the process. This includes developing electric propulsion vehicles in Wales, the use of motorsport tech in cars and vans in Warwickshire and hydrogen fuel cells in Northern Ireland. More here.

Emissions-cutting trucks and next-gen hydrogen buses closer to hitting the road with £54 million government-led funding - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Highway Code update regarding tyre ages!

The age of tyres on goods vehicles over 3.5T and passenger vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats must not be over 10 years old. This applies to front axles (and rear axles for D1 minibuses unless twin wheels are used). The manufacture date must be visible on the tyre too, so needs to be included on daily vehicle checks. This has been focussed on more over the last few years, and now it is compulsory. See more directly from the highway code on this here:

Annex 6. Vehicle maintenance, safety and security - The Highway Code - Guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Applying for your first trade licence (or additional ones)?

If you are wanting trade licences or to expand the number you operate, here is the application form, plus guidance in the link after.

vtl301-application-for-a-first-trade-licence-or-additional-licences.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

vtl301g-guidance-notes.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Haulier Site Advice and Testing Centres, UK

Here is the latest updated set of locations where drivers can get tests and advice on travelling during COVID.

Baldock Services 24 hours (COVID-19 testing only)

Beaconsfield 6am to 9.30pm

Birchanger Green 24 hours

Burtonwood (Merseyside) 6am to 9.30pm

Cambridge Services 24 hours (COVID-19 testing only)

Carlisle Stobart Truck Stop 4am to 9.30pm

Charnock Richard Services northbound No testing

Cherwell Valley 6am to 9.30pm

Clacket Lane eastbound 24 hours

Cobham Services 24 hours

Cullompton 6am to 9.30pm

Doncaster North 6am to 9.30pm

Donington Park 6am to 9.30pm

Essex Arena 24 hours (COVID-19 testing only)

Ferrybridge Services 6am to 9.30pm

Fleet southbound 6am to 9.30pm

Formula Services (Ellesmere Port) No testing

Hartshead Moor (Huddersfield) 6am to 9.30pm

Heywood Distribution Truck Stop 6am to 9.30pm

Holyhead (opens at 2pm on 13 April 2021) No testing

Hopwood Park 4am to 9.30pm

Junction 38 Services No testing

Leicester Forest East northbound 6am to 9.30pm

Leicester Forest East southbound 6am to 9.30pm

Lockerbie Truck Stop No testing

Membury eastbound 6am to 9.30pm

Orwell Crossing Truck Stop 4am to 9.30pm

Pease Pottage 5am to 9pm (COVID-19 testing only)

Peterborough 4am to 9.30pm (Busy – you may experience delays)

Reading Eastbound 24 hours

Rothwell Truck Stop 6am to 9.30pm (Busy – you may experience delays)

Rownhams northbound 24 hours

Rugby Stobart Truck Stop 24 hours (Busy – you may experience delays)

Sandbach northbound 6am to 9.30pm

Sandbach southbound 6am to 9.30pm

South Mimms 24 hours

Stafford northbound No testing

Strensham northbound No testing

Strensham southbound No testing

Sutton Scotney northbound No testing

Sutton Scotney southbound 6am to 9.30pm

Tamworth Services 6am to 9.30pm

The Stockyard Truckstop Rotherham 6am to 9.30pm, Monday to Friday

(7am to 11am and 4pm to 8pm, Saturday and Sunday)

Thurrock Services No testing

Truckhaven (Carnforth) 6am to 9.30pm

Watford Gap northbound No testing

Watford Gap southbound 6am to 9.30pm (Busy – you may experience delays)

Wetherby Services 6am to 9.30pm

Woodall northbound 6am to 9.30pm