FUTURE LEGISLATION
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UK
• EC Driver's Hours Exemptions—a European Commission decision has authorised the UK to grant a limited exemption from the provisions for vehicles used exclusively within airports. • Operator Licensing—simplification of the 0licence system included in Deregulation Bill before Parliament.
• Load Security—revision to Code of Practice.
• Amendments to Food Hygiene Regulations— review of temperature control requirements and new food hygiene regulations, including special transport provisions.
• Review of UK Domestic Driver's Hours Legislation • Vehicle Excise Duty—continuous licensing for cars and light vans even if laid up off the public road. DVLA proposes to include goods vehicles up to 12 tonnes GVW. • Implementation of second EC directive on driver licensing—the EC directive is to be introduced by I July 1996. • Photographs on Driving Licences—required by second directive proposed to introduce plastic credit card-size driving licences starting on l July 1996 with photograph of holder. • Dangerous Goods Transport—Revision of UK dangerous goods vehicle operator legislation to align with ADR agreement. Draft legislation expected spring 1995.
• Height and Width Limits—Proposed increase on current width limits of vehicles from 2.5m to 2.55m. Limit of 2.6m for refrigerated vehicles unchanged. Under consultation. • Height Limits—Proposal to remove 4.2m height limit for vehicles over 35 tonnes with fixed bodywork. Under consultation.
EC LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES
• Liberalisation of the use of hired vehicles.
• Vehicle weights and dimensions—harmonisation throughout EU.
• Second generation tachographs—incorporation of/replacement by computerised records. • Road Transport Taxation—Council of Ministers decision on minimum VED rates, road user charges and liberalisation of cabotage. • Carbon tax on fossil fuels—agreement not yet reached by EU Governments. • Dangerous Goods—Drab Directive on the appointment of Risk Prevention Officers by companies involved in packing, loading, unloading or storage of dangerous goods.
• Dangerous Goods—Uniform Procedures for Checks on the Transport of Dangerous Goods by Road.
• Dangerous Goods—ADR Framework Directive. Harmonisation of dangerous goods transport regulations—proposed directive to align domestic requirements with ADR Agreement.