Northern Ireland 0-licensing system moves a step closer
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A FULLY-FLEDGED 0-licence system for Northern Ireland has moved a step closer with the decision to set up the Transport Regulator's Office (TRO) with an initial team of six, increasing to 24 staff when the office becomes functional next year.
The name of the transport regulator has not been announced, but it is believed that he or she will have similar powers to a traffic commissioner in Great Britain and will preside over public inquiries.
Tom Wilson. the Freight Transport Association's head of policy in Northern Ireland, says: "We desperately want to see standards improve. The Driver and Vehicle Agency Compliance Report for 2009 tells us that 50% of Northern Irish vehicles over 3.5 tonnes are not in a roadworthy condition. The worst offenders are vehicles in the 7.5-tonne to 18-tonne category' The TRO will be a stand-alone division within the Department of the Environment. Its first task will be to bring Northern Ireland's 2,500 hire and reward 0-licences, currently held by the 1)river & Vehicle Agency. within its scope.
The own-account sector, which has some 7,500 0-licences. will be brought under the jurisdiction of the TRO by April 2012. Until now there has been no requirement for own-account operators to have an 0-licence.
A consultation process will determine the future 0-licence fee structure.