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Norris to impound unlicensed trucks
Page 8
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by Miles Brignall II Roads Minister Steven Norris has finally come out in favour of the impounding vehicles run by unlicensed operators. He will publish a consultation document to ask the industry to discuss the details, probably before the Parliamentary recess in July.
The document will examine the mechanics of who will he empowered to stop vehicles, and where they will be stored during investigations into operators' licences.
The Department of Transport has not released details how the scheme will operate. Insiders say a rapid appeal process could operate through magistrates courts.
Other problems to be resolved include the use of hired vehicles and what to do with the loads found on vehicles run by unlicensed operators.
The delayed results on the number of illegal operators reveals that 1.8% of vehicle miles were covered by unlicensed vehicles. The survey of nearly 4,000 hauliers carried out last October shows that operators of rigid vehicles are more likely to be running illegally than artic users.
It paints a detailed picture of those working outside the licensing system: the West Midlands, North West and Eastern have significantly higher 0-licence evasion rates than the rest of the UK, at around 4%. Operators most likely to evade licensing are not tipper operators, but those pulling skeletal trailers on container work.
The survey was carried out at joint Vehicle Inspectorate/police checks all over the country on all types of roads. Half the vehicles stopped were checked for mechanical defects—and 31% were issued with defect notices. Of those operating illegally, 60% received defect notices.
More than 13% of those stopped were found to be committing tachograph offences; 12% were overloaded and 16% were prosecuted for plating and annual test offences.