Tag Archives: DVSA

Call for logistics professionals to come together

Call for logistics professionals to come together

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Forward post from DVSA: Call for logistics professionals to come together. The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT)has launched an initiative to bring together logistics and passenger transport operators in urgent need of supply chain resources.

The initiative, backed by the Road Haulage Association (RHA), the Freight Transport Association (FTA) and the Confederation of Passenger Transport (CPT) matches organisations together so that those who have capacity can help those organisations in need, such as the NHS and the grocery retail sector.

Register on the CILT website if:

  • your organisation needs urgent support
  • you’re a driver in need of work
  • your organisation has capacity to support others in need

Motorway services are open

Motorway and major trunk road services remain open following advice from the government deeming them ‘essential services’.

The government has made it clear that for haulage and delivery drivers, travel is essential and therefore motorway services remain open, and continue to offer takeaway food, toilet and shower services.

How to keep safe

The RHA has published guidance for lorry drivers on how to keep safe when delivering goods, handling documentation and refuelling.

Keep up to date with all official government advice on COVID-19 at GOV.UK.

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FORS standard version 5

FORS standard version 5, a simple yet comprehensive guide

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FORS standard version 5 is here! This is my simple yet comprehensive guide to the main changes, all in one place.

The new FORS Standard VS5 is the fifth iteration and sets out the requirements operators must meet if they wish to become FORS accredited. The revised edition addresses the need for air quality improvements and sets out requirements to help operators mitigate against threats of terrorism. Provision is also made for a broader range of operations and vehicles, including powered two-wheelers, and new requirements for bus and coach operators.

The FORS Standard is updated every two years to reflect the continuous evolution of best practice and FORS’s aim to drive-up safety, environmental, and efficiency standards for all road transport operations.

Version 5 highlights the increasing diversity of commercial fleets and aims to make it more accessible for a broader range of vehicles to achieve accreditation. It contains a more robust commitment to raising environmental standards in operations, recognising the need for better air quality in UK cities via revised requirements and a revised training programme.

Main changes – Bronze

The main changes make FORS more accessible to more vehicles, especially growing fleets of motorcycles and other powered two-wheelers, which contribute to many deliveries on UK roads. Specific load safety requirements set out by vehicle type are included, not only for heavy goods vehicles, vans and passenger carrying vehicles (PCVs), but also powered two-wheelers as well.

PCVs are also given greater credence, with a new requirement at FORS Bronze to ensure accessibility, comfort and safety for all passengers.  The requirement must be demonstrated via a passenger safety policy, on vehicle signage and adequate access for all passengers.

A new counter terrorism requirement has been introduced, meaning operators must have a policy and supporting procedures in place at FORS Bronze, which names a Counter Terrorism Champion. Under new Bronze training requirements members must also have completed the current FORS Professional Security and Counter Terrorism eLearning module within the 24 months prior to audit.

Main changes Gold & Silver

An added emphasis on improving environmental operating standards becomes evident with a new requirement at FORS Silver for HGV and van drivers to complete the FORS Professional ‘LoCITY – Time to clean up’ eLearning module within the 24 months prior to accreditation.

In line with the progressive nature of the scheme, FORS has also introduced a requirement at Gold for drivers to have completed either the FORS Professional LoCITY Driving training course, or a FORS Approved environmental awareness course within the past five years.  This is in addition to the current requirement to have attended a Safe Urban Driving (SUD), a Van Smart (VS) or a FORS Approved work-related road safety training course, within the five years prior to accreditation.

FORS Silver also includes a commitment to tackle noise pollution – a criteria formally only mandated at FORS Gold.  Operators seeking FORS Silver accreditation must complete noise assessments at operating centres and noise sensitive locations in a bid to minimise noise pollution and its impact on local communities.

The new FORS Standard aims to minimise the probability and severity of collisions involving vulnerable road users.  FORS Silver accreditation is also fully aligned to meet both the TfL requirements on managing work-related road risk (WRRR) and the new CLOCS Standard v3, due to come into force  in January 2019.

Training requirement changes

New training requirements have been introduced across all levels of accreditation for both managers and drivers. These are different for drivers of specific vehicle types so it is best to check the training cards at Annexes 1 (for drivers) and 2 (for managers) of version 5 of the FORS Standard. Transitional provisions are in place for a number of new training requirements. In summary, for managers, and for HGV and van drivers, the new training is as follows:

There are transitional periods for a number of the new training requirements. These are as follows:

N.B Security and Counter Terrorism elearning will count against the new mandatory training requirements for Security and Counter Terrorism as set out in Annex 1 of the FORS Standard. It is now valid for 24 months from the original date undertaken. Therefore the validity will be extended on your training records from 12 months to 24 month

The safety eLearning modules from 14 January 2019 are:

Cycle Safety, Van Smart, Smart Driving and Bridge Smart (due to launch soon). These are valid for 12 months and must be renewed every year. After 14 January 2019, Security and Counter Terrorism will no longer be part of the suite of safety eLearning modules. It has become a separate mandatory eLearning module under Bronze D4 and must be undertaken within the past 24 months.

Summary (annex 5)

Have a look at all the summary of changes in annex 5 below.

The FORS Standard version 5 is now available to download on the FORS website here and becomes effective from Monday 14 January 2019 for both new and existing operators.

TMconsultant provide a complete FORS Help package providing you with all the requisite document templates and support required to pass your initial bronze audit. If you need advice regarding FORS please do just get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

 

FORS Practitioner

FORS Practitioner award

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Congratulations are in order as the FORS Practitioner is awarded to our founder!

Nick’s efforts and dedication in achieving this milestone is certainly worth the recognition, as it enhances his personal development and ours and Link2London’s status within the transport and FORS community. After attending all FORS workshops, Nick has successfully completed the FORS Practitioner programme.

What is FORS Practitioner?

FORS Practitioner is a series of ten workshops covering all aspects of fleet management. Designed to assist transport managers in their busy everyday roles, the workshops provide information needed to boost the performance of a transport operation.

The workshops can also help demonstrate professional development (as outlined in requirement D4 Professional Development of the FORS Standard), and help build your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) hours, as for each workshop equals 2.5 CPD hours. Find out how to claim your CPD hours here.

FORS Practitioner workshops 1 – 10

TMconsultant offer a pre audit FORS help service. For more information on how we can help you pass your FORS bronze accreditation, just click here!

Driver CPC uploading explained

Driver CPC uploading explained

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Ever wandered what ‘invalid’ or ‘processing’ means when you check your driver cpc training hours? I get many enquiries regarding issues surrounding driver CPC uploading. There is limited information provided for drivers (and trainers, to a degree) regarding this process. JAUPT do provide a Guide to Recording Driver CPC Periodic Training. However, unless you are a registered training centre, it is unlikely you will find this information easily. Hence this post! Also, as the guide is geared toward the person who will be carrying out the uploads, it therefore contains information not relevant to the driver, which I have filtered out for you below.

As the training status meanings are hot topic, I have listed them first.

What does a driver’s status mean?

Valid – Training is valid and counts towards the drivers Driver CPC entitlement
Invalid – The driver has completed more than 35 hours training in one five year cycle
Cancelled – This training has been cancelled and does not count towards the drivers Driver CPC
entitlement. Training is usually cancelled either because the driver didn’t have the correct entitlement to
take training, or because the training provider has requested the cancellation
Processing – This training has not been validated for one of the following reasons:
  • The driver didn’t have the correct Driver CPC entitlement to take periodic training – DVSA identify drivers who do not have the correct level of entitlement and inform them hours have not been added to their record. If the driver is unable to supply evidence of Driver CPC entitlement DVSA will cancel this training after a minimum period of 1 month. It is worth noting that incorrectly uploaded driver hours are monitored and frequent re-occurrences will trigger further investigation form the DVSA
  • The driver has recently completed the initial qualification tests prior to training – this training can be validated once the test passes are shown on our system
  • DVSA are currently unable to view the driver’s licence entitlements. Therefore DVSA sometimes have to contact the DVLA in order to view the driver’s licence entitlements to assess the validity of the training. If the driver is currently undergoing medical preview with the DVLA, DVSA are often unable to view vocational licence entitlement. This means DVSA are unable to assess the validity of their training until the medical review is complete.
  • Sometimes there maybe a an issue with the centres payment method and the course is awaiting payment
  • The training has been incorrectly uploaded against a GB counterpart – the driver holds a non-UK licence with a GB counterpart. Any training uploaded against a GB counterpart can’t be validated as there is no licence entitlement attached to a counterpart

What identity documents should drivers present before I conduct periodic training?

A driver must present one of the following:

  • a photocard driving licence
  • a valid passport
  • a digital tachograph card

a driver qualification card (DQC)

As above, you should make drivers aware that if they do not have the relevant vocational entitlement periodic training cannot contribute towards issue of a DQC.

A driver may also attend training if they present a non-UK driving licence issued by an EU Member State or one of the following countries: Gibraltar, Guernsey, Iceland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.

Can drivers take more than one periodic training course in a single day?

DVSA would not recommend undertaking two courses of periodic training in one day; we consider this
an excessive amount of time for an individual to spend in training and be able to effectively retain the information. Periodic training means regular, ongoing training undertaken consistently throughout a driver’s professional career as part of a programme of continuing professional development. DVSA believe drivers will gain more from periodic training if they design a pre-planned learning programme with a definite objective in mind, ie to improve my professionalism over the next 5 year cycle.

Can somebody attend for periodic training if they don’t drive professionally and don’t have Driver CPC entitlement?

As the training provider it is up to you whether to accept attendees who don’t have Driver CPC entitlement e.g. administrative staff. If individuals attend periodic training and do not have Driver CPC entitlement you must ensure that their training will not be uploaded to the Driver CPC R&E system. You should also make them aware that their periodic training will not count towards issue of a DQC or issue them with a certificate of attendance.

Can somebody attend periodic training if they are currently suspended or disqualified from driving?

A driver can still attend for training which can be uploaded should the driver’s categories ultimately be reinstated, though suspended/disqualified drivers cannot undertake on-road periodic training. The driver should be advised that the licence entitlement may not be shown on our system so the training will not be validated unless the categories are reinstated at a later date. If the vocational categories are not reinstated with their original start dates this training may never be validated. You should make this clear to the driver before they undertake any periodic training.

What advice should be given to attendees?

Below is some advice that you may wish to provide to drivers attending periodic training if it is relevant to them:

A DQC is automatically issued to UK photocard licence holders as soon as 35 hours of periodic training have been uploaded to the driver’s record. This should be received within 20 days of completing the final training. If it is not received after this time the driver should contact the DVSA (GB licences) or DVA (NI licences).

A DQC can only be issued to the licence address currently held by DVLA at the time when it is triggered; it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that their address is up to date with the DVLA before all 35 hours of training are completed. If the DQC is sent to a previous licence address the driver will have to pay £25 for another card to be issued. If the non-receipt of a DQC is not reported to the DVSA/DVA within 3 months, the driver will need to pay £25 for another card to be issued, regardless of the circumstances.

If the driver holds a paper driving licence in order for a DQC to be issued they will need to exchange this for a photocard licence.

Periodic training should be uploaded to the driver’s records directly, by the training provider, within 5 working days. It is the driver’s responsibility to monitor their own hours on the Driver CPC Online Driver Enquiry (ODE) service at www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours. If the driver has already completed 35 hours of training within their current 5 year cycle any further training taken and uploaded is invalid. Northern Irish drivers are currently unable to use ODE so they should contact the DVA to check their recorded periodic training hours.

Periodic training expires after 5 years; if all 35 hours are not completed within 5 years of the earliest training date, those hours which fall out of the rolling five-year period will no longer count towards the issue of any subsequent DQC.

If the driver holds a non-UK driving licence and wishes to obtain a UK DQC they will need to either: Exchange to a UK driving licence, and ask you, as their training provider, to upload the training retrospectively Or, if they want to retain their foreign licence, they will need to apply for their DQC via a DQC1 application form on completion of 35 hours training.

If a driver presents for training with a GB driving licence and a non-UK DQC they should be advised to send their DQC to the DVSA for exchange.

If a driver presents for training with a NI driving licence and a non-UK DQC they
should be advised to send their DQC to the DVA for exchange, enabling the periodic training hours to be validated upon upload.

Online Driver Enquiry (ODE)

Periodic training centres should encourage drivers to register for the ODE service which can be
When a driver has accessed the ODE service to check how many periodic training hours they have accrued
they can generate a temporary password, valid for 21 days, to pass to a 3
rd party to allow access to their periodic training details.
The ODE facility enables drivers to check the amount of periodic training recorded for them. Drivers are
advised to check ODE after five working days of completing periodic training to ensure that it has been
correctly uploaded by their training provider.
This facility can only be used by drivers with a full British driving licence. A driver can only register to use this service when periodic training has been uploaded for them.
The first time a driver uses the system they must click on ‘Register (drivers only)’ which can be found on the bottom left of the screen. The driver will then need to enter their driving licence number, postcode and fill in the captcha code.
A message will then appear informing the driver that a password has been posted out to their address which they will receive within 10 days. The registration password letter will be dispatched to the address currently held by the DVLA.
Once the driver has a password they can select ‘Start now’ which will bring up the login screen. They will then be prompted to enter their driving licence number and password, and to fill in a code. This service is available 24 hours a day, every day.
If they have any problems using this service they can contact DVSA’s customer support team on 0300 200 1122. This line is open Monday to Friday 8.00am to 12.00pm.
Northern Ireland licence holders must contact the DVA to check their hours if they want written confirmation. ODE is not available to NI licence holders as the licensing authority (DVA) is not linked to this system.

Recording Driver CPC Periodic Training

To record a driver’s training hours on DVSA’s R&E system drivers must provide their driving licence number. Please note it remains the trainer’s responsibility to ensure that the driver genuinely holds the driving licence number presented on the day; each approved training body should have its own procedures in place to guarantee this.

You must upload the training records to the CPC R&E system within five working days of the course completion date; drivers cannot have training uploaded twice for the same date. The CPC R&E (Recording & Evidencing) system is the central training record database for UK driving licence holders and is managed by DVSA.

Training must be uploaded promptly and accurately to prevent any delay in the driver receiving their DQC. As all professional bus, coach and lorry drivers must carry their DQC with them at all times when they are working any delay can have a serious impact.

You must keep full, accurate records of all periodic training conducted for audit purposes. All information should be retained securely in line with the Data Protection Act 1998.

We consider it best practice for centres to regularly review uploads using the ‘View training centre history’ facility to ensure all drivers have been uploaded correctly.

You should not upload periodic training until the driver has completed the full course; if the driver had to leave early the upload would have to be cancelled after the event. Only those drivers who complete the course in its entirety can be uploaded

If you have any difficulties with the CPC R&E system, please contact the CPC R&E section at the DVSA.

Recording Periodic Training for Non-UK Licence Holders

When non-UK licence holders attend periodic training in the UK you are required to complete the ‘Non-UK Licence Upload Template’. This can be found on gov.uk. You must complete one template per course attended. This template should be e-mailed to eudrivertraining@dsa.gsi.gov.uk within five working days of the course completion date.

On receipt of the e-mail a member of staff will call you to take the upload fee via credit/debit card; normal upload fees apply. You must make sure you include a contact name, email address and preferred contact number, and ensure that your named contact has access to
all details of the card necessary for payment.

DVSA cannot take payment for these uploads via prefunded account and the training cannot be viewed using the online training centre history. You should maintain your own centre’s records of periodic training undertaken by non-UK driving licence holders in line with your normal procedures. These records will be subject to the usual audits.

On completion of 35 hours training the driver will need to apply for a DQC using a DQC1 application form if they want to retain their foreign licence. If they decide to exchange to a UK driving licence, they may contact you at a later date to upload this training retrospectively. You must contact the DVSA to claim back your original upload fee and report the late upload of the training to the CPC R&E system.

TMconsultant provide opportunities to deliver periodic driver CPC training. If you would like to learn more about how to become a driver cpc trainer/a member of the consortium or have any questions, please do just get in touch!

 

 

TM1G

TM1G – How Many Hours Should a Transport Manager Work?

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TM1G - How many hours should a Transport Manager work? Simply, it depends on how many vehicles are on the margin of an operator licence holder's fleet.

The current regulations are outlined in the Senior Traffic Commissioner’s revised Statutory Guidance and Directions 9 January 2024 

Statutory Guidelines for the Number of Hours Transport Managers Should Work

Motor Vehicles

Proposed Hours (per week)

2 or less

2-4

3 to 5

4-8

6 to 10

8-12

11 to 14

12-20

15 to 29

20-30

30 to 50

30-Full Time

Above 50

Full Time and additional assistance required

Additional hours may be required for trailerstrailers

 

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Statuary Guidance

The guidance explains how the Senior Traffic Commissioner believes that traffic commissioners should interpret the law in relation to the requirements for and on transport managers. The directions are addressed to the traffic commissioners in respect of the approach to be taken by staff acting on behalf of individual traffic commissioners.

They dictate the operation of delegated functions in relation to the requirements for and of transport managers. The role of transport manager is extremely important to an operator and therefore must be able to manage the transport operation effectively in the time they have available. The statutory guidance documents give a broad guideline as to what might be expected in terms of hours worked by a transport manager relative to the maximum number of vehicles authorised for a licence.

Please note that this is a starting point only. The traffic commissioners need to be satisfied that a transport manager is capable of exercising continuous and effective management of the transport operation and will consider each case on its own facts and its own merits.

TM1 - Transport Manager Application

Below is the guidance on what the traffic commissioner is looking for when considering a transport manager's application.

  1. If you will not be devoting the amount of time to the relevant licence(s) as shown in the table above, you should provide the traffic commissioner with a written explanation as to how you will carry out all your responsibilities effectively in the time allocated.
  2. Your explanation should include how you will ensure the operation and management of the following;
  3. Drivers administration - including the checking of drivers' licences and driver CPC qualifications (DQC), ensuring that the retention of drivers hours records (no less than 12 months) and working time records (no less than 24 months) and both are made available upon request;
  4. Drivers management - ensuring compliance with the driving hours rules (EU or Domestic Hours rules); that drivers record their duty, driving time and rest breaks; to download and store digital tachograph unit data (at least every 90 days) and from the drivers’ smart cards (at least every 28 days); ensuring that the following records are retained - drivers’ hours, Working Time Directive (WTD), and that they are available to be produced during the relevant period; to ensure that drivers are adequately trained and competent to operate relevant vehicles and equipment.
  5. Drivers operations - ensuring drivers are completing and returning their driver defect reporting sheets and that defects are recorded correctly and cross-checked, and that drivers and mobile workers take adequate breaks and appropriate periods of daily and weekly rest;
  6. Vehicle administration - including ensuring that vehicle maintenance records to be retained for a period of no less than 15 months, ensuring that vehicles are specified as required and that operator licence discs are current and displayed correctly; ensuring safe loading with appropriate indicators fitted, that tachograph calibrations are up to date and displayed, that there are up to date insurance certificates; a suitable maintenance planner is complete and displayed with preventative maintenance inspection dates at least 6 months in advance, to include the Annual Test and other testing or calibration dates;
  7. Vehicle management - ensuring that vehicles and trailers are kept in a fit and roadworthy condition, that defects are either recorded and repaired promptly and where not roadworthy are taken out of service; to make vehicles and towed equipment available for safety inspections, service, repair and statutory testing at the appropriate times and within the notified O-licence maintenance intervals; to liaise with maintenance contractors, manufacturers, hire companies as might be appropriate.
  8. Compliance systems - including details of training, management, monitoring and auditing showing the role you play including and what authority you have for instance to review any shortcomings such as prohibitions and/or annual test failures. How do you ensure that relevant changes are notified in accordance with operator licence requirements?
  9. Licence administration – ensuring that the traffic commissioner is made aware of any relevant matters within 28 days including convictions and prosecutions of the transport manager(s) or drivers and also of my own resignation should I leave the employment of the operator.
  10. The Senior Traffic Commissioner has also identified some general indicators as to effective transport management which you should comment on:
  11. Knowledge and skills – which require more than just the formal qualification;
  12. Impact – where the individual CPC holder is recognised as a key person within the organisation so that s/he can influence decisions relevant to compliance and authority to deal with external contractors. Their position should reflect the professional and personal responsibility vested in the individual;
  13. Decision making – where the individual CPC holder is sufficiently close to drivers to be able to influence their behaviours and senior enough to influence the deployment of resources and to inform the decisions of the owner/directors/partners.

The above is not an exhaustive list. Transport Managers should also include any further information which is relevant to the operation under their control. The Traffic Commissioner may also require information about the location of the operating centres for which a Transport Manager has responsibility, and whether travelling time will have an impact on thier ability to provide effective management. Transport Managers should therefore also be ready to supply a breakdown of their working week, including details of visits to the operating centres and of travelling time, as this may be requested.

I hope you found this blog useful, if you would like to discuss your options or would just like to have a chat, please do get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

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Compliance Auditor Job Opportunities

Compliance Auditor Job Opportunities

Here at TMconsultant we can offer like-minded professionals with freelance compliance auditor job opportunities to help us assist our clients throughout the UK. If you are a qualified or experienced compliance auditor and you are either looking for compliance auditing work we can help.

How does it work?

Once you have completed the application, we will add you to the compliance auditor database. Should a client in your area get in touch, we will simply make the introduction. We don't get involved with payments between you and the client.

How much will I earn?

We charge £700 per audit and take a 25% commission.

Can I get compliance auditing work for the DVSA earned recognition scheme?

Yes, but you must be a DVSA earned recognition scheme authorised audit provider. You can learn about how to become a DVSA earned recognition scheme authorised audit provider here.

Have you thought about teaching Driver CPC?

TMconsultant also offers opportunities for compliance auditors to teach Driver CPC. By becoming one of our consortium members you can teach Periodic Driver CPC training, with all the benefits of being a fully registered training centre with JAUPT, operating under the umbrella of TMconsultant. For more information go here. Alternatively please do get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

JAUPT announced quality assurance visit

How to pass your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit

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So you’ve just received an email providing you with a few date options regarding a JAUPT announced quality assurance visit. As with all audits, unless you’re fully prepared you can put yourself under unnecessary stress, and I hasten to add for no reason. To help you pass your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, I have put together a few pointers to make the whole process a more pleasurable one.

Background

JAUPT carry out around 300 to 400 announced visits per year. It is important to note that an approved training centre is subject to centre visits from both JAUPT and DVSA/DVA. This means that you could experience two visits in a short period of time from either organisation. I should add that we have had two JAUPT announced visits but not experienced a DVSA visit….as yet.
The purpose of an announced visit is to check whether standards are being maintained and to confirm the centre’s internal processes and procedures as per their Scheme of Control and confirmatory statements, detailed in the centre application form.
An approved training centre is subject to at least one announced visit during the five year
approval period from JAUPT. Your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit will always be conducted within the first twelve months of approval and will be pre-arranged between JAUPT and the centre.
Whether you are a centre that has not begun training yet or a centre that is conducting fifty plus training courses a month, the visit will still be conducted.

1. Responsibilities

The responsibility for quality and safety at an approved training centre lies with the responsible
contact. This is the person operationally responsible for periodic training. Ensure this person is present throughout the visit and is fully up to date with your policies and procedures. I have heard of auditors turning up for an audit and the responsible contact either not there or they just leave the auditor in a room on their own. Aside from this being a irrisponsible strategy, it’s just damm right rude.

2. Prepare

I know this sounds obvious but you should start your preperation from the day you confirm your dates. List out all the individual aspects of your internal systems and tackle each job systematically and methodically. There are two helpful documents published by JAUPT which you should familiarise yourself with.

The first document is the Centre quality assurance self assessment. This is a check list type document which will help you identify areas of continuous improvement and assist you to compartmentalise all the requisite areas needing attention.

The areas covered include:
  • Quality and delivery of the training
  • Knowledge transfer
  • The learning environment
  • Course content ensuring the course is being delivered in line with the approved
  • Course layout and identification checks and registration
The second document is the course quality assurance check list. It will assist you with the identification of areas of continuous improvement. Although this second useful document is aimed at course quality, it will help to ensure you have covered everything off. It should also form part of your annual review processes. We’ll come that next.

3. Review

Obviously, reviews are ongoing and should be carried out annually. Part of your audit is to confirm your internal processes and procedures as per your Scheme of Control (SoC). However, if you haven’t already, this is a good time to carry out your review. This will really help you to pass your audit as you don’t want to be caught out with an old, out of date policy or procedure!

Once you have reviewed your SoC make sure you re-version number the document and send it to your case worker at JAUPT for approval.

I have set up three approved training centres in my time so we have a SoC template which may help. You can purchase one here. Remember this is only a template so you will need to adjust to your requirements!

4. Reconcile

You will need to cross reference training dates supplied to JAUPT with training delivered. This is achieved by using the R&E system, your own records and scheduled courses supplied to JAUPT. The quickest and easiest way is to use an excel spread sheet. As we all know however, the R&E system is somewhat antiquated, so trying to get a data download in the form of a spreadsheet from here is simply not possible. Unfortunately, for some reason the R&E team won’t provide training centres with this useful document either. Luckily there is a solution, as you can request the same spreadsheet from JAUPT, just ask your case worker. You will need to justify any anomalies to your auditor, so make sure you make notes regarding any issues.

It’s worth noting auditors like to see a working spreadsheet which also manages uploads dates/upload reference numbers.

5. Paperwork

If you didn’t know you can keep electronic records. So no need to have boxes of registration sheets and feedback forms present. Which ever system you use, just make sure all records are present, are easily accessible and in chronological order.

6. On the day

Start early and arrive at work at least two hours before the auditor arrives. This is twofold as your auditor will most likely arrive early and you need to have time to prepare your records and environment. Use a well lit, clean/tidy separate room where you won’t be disturbed. Make your auditor feel welcome, offer them some refreshments and stay with your auditor throughout.  Trust me, this will make the whole process much more comfortable for all parties.

As long as you are well prepared for your JAUPT announced quality assurance visit, you have been methodical and you have covered off the above points, your day will be a relaxed and enjoyable one.

Join the TMconsultant Consortium

TMconsultant is a Driver CPC training consortium and we provide like minded companies and individuals with the opportunity to deliver Driver CPC training but would prefer not to set up a training centre in their own right. For more information please visit our website or just get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!

 

Bus and coach drivers Driver CPC deadline approaching

Top 10 reasons vehicles fail an MOT test

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DVSA have published this very useful, top 10 reasons vehicles fail an MOT test.

For class 7 vehicles, the top 3 defects were:

  • lighting and signalling
  • suspension
  • brakes

In 2016 there were 1,687 accidents, including 28 deaths, caused by vehicle defects such as tyres, brakes or lights and indicators. It’s important to make sure your vehicle is safe to drive, to help keep Britain’s roads safe.

About this data set

This data set comes from data held by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).

It isn’t classed as an ‘official statistic’. This means it’s not subject to scrutiny and assessment by the UK Statistics Authority.

MOT test results by class

The MOT test checks that your vehicle meets road safety and environmental standards. Different types of vehicles (for example, cars and motorcycles) fall into different ‘classes’.

This data table shows the number of initial tests. It doesn’t include abandoned tests, aborted tests, or retests.

The initial fail rate is the rate for vehicles as they were brought for the MOT. The final fail rate excludes vehicles that pass the test after rectification of minor defects at the time of the test.

MOT test results by class of vehicle

Ref: DVSA/MOT/01 View online Download CSV 2.21KB

Initial failures by defect category

These tables give data for the following classes of vehicles:

  • class 1 and 2 vehicles – motorcycles
  • class 3 and 4 vehicles – cars and light vans up to 3,000kg
  • class 5 vehicles – private passenger vehicles with more than 12 seats
  • class 7 vehicles – goods vehicles between 3,000kg and 3,500kg gross vehicle weight

All figures are for vehicles as they were brought in for the MOT.

A failed test usually has multiple failure items.

The percentage of tests is worked out as the number of tests with one or more failure items in the defect as a percentage of total tests.

The percentage of defects is worked out as the total defects in the category as a percentage of total defects for all categories.

The average defects per initial test failure is worked out as the total failure items as a percentage of total tests failed plus tests that passed after rectification of a minor defect at the time of the test.

MOT class 1 and 2 vehicles: initial failures by defect category

Ref: DVSA/MOT/02 View online Download CSV 2.17KB

MOT class 3 and 4 vehicles: initial failures by defect category

Ref: DVSA/MOT/03 View online Download CSV 2.8KB

MOT class 5 vehicles: initial failures by defect category

Ref: DVSA/MOT/04 View online Download CSV 2.56KB

MOT class 7 vehicles: initial failures by defect category

Ref: DVSA/MOT/05 View online Download CSV 2.4KB

MOT test stations and testers

You must have an authorised test station to carry out MOTs, and you have to be approved as a ‘nominated tester’ (NT). Other MOT stations include:

  • post office operated test stations
  • designated local authorities
  • the Crown
  • some police authorities

MOT test stations and testers

Ref: DVSA/MOT/06 View online Download CSV 232Bytes

Action against MOT authorised examiners and nominated testers

DVSA can take disciplinary action or stop you operating as a testing station or tester if your service is not good enough.

Action against authorised examiners and nominated testers

Ref: DVSA/MOT/07 View online Download CSV 1.51KB

Bus and coach drivers Driver CPC deadline approaching

Changes to Drivers’ hours fines for commercial drivers March 5 2018

Posted on

The rules will change from 5 March 2018 so lorry, bus and coach drivers who drive tired will be fined for every time they’ve done it in the last 28 days.

If you drive a lorry, bus or coach, you must follow rules on how many hours you can drive and the breaks you need to take.

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) can fine drivers up to £300 if they’re caught breaking the rules. They can also be prosecuted or have their vehicle immobilised.

At the moment, DVSA can only fine drivers for:

  • offences committed that day
  • ongoing offences, like manipulating tachograph records, which record drivers’ hours

Drivers will be fined for older offences

From Monday 5 March 2018, DVSA traffic examiners will start issuing on-the-spot fines for any drivers’ hours offences committed in the last 28 days.

In a single roadside check, DVSA traffic examiners will issue fines for up to 5 drivers’ hours offences. It means you could be fined up to £1,500 in a single check if you’ve consistently broken the rules.

It won’t matter if the offences took place in Great Britain or elsewhere.

The rules will also apply to drivers who don’t live in Great Britain. However, they’ll need to pay any fines immediately, before being allowed to continue their journey. DVSA will immobilise their vehicle until they pay.

Fines to deter drivers from not resting properly

As well as giving fines to drivers for recent offences, DVSA traffic examiners have started issuing fines to deal with drivers who don’t properly rest.

Lorry, bus and coach drivers must take a 45-hour rest break at least every fortnight.

Since 1 November 2017, DVSA has started to fine drivers up to £300 if they spend their full weekly rest break in their vehicle in places where it causes a problem. For example, if a lorry driver spends their full break in the cab of their lorry in a layby.

Illegal parking, noise and litter nuisance

Spending the weekly rest break in the cab can:

  • contribute to drivers not properly resting
  • expose drivers to poor living conditions

It can also cause problems in local communities. In some areas, lorry drivers have parked illegally or inappropriately while taking the 45-hour break, and have caused residents to complain about noise, litter and anti-social behaviour.

During 2016, authorities in Kent took action against 3,700 lorry drivers for parking illegally or inappropriately.

Targeting problem areas

DVSA traffic examiners will target places where this is causing the biggest problems, such as residential areas and laybys.

DVSA will also work with its counterparts in other countries to deal with overseas operators whose drivers regularly do this.

Devastating consequences of driving tired

Crashes involving tired lorry drivers can be devastating. Almost a quarter of injuries in accidents involving lorries are fatal or serious.

About 40% of sleep-related accidents involve commercial vehicles.

According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), driving while tired may be responsible for:

  • 1 in 5 of all accidents
  • up to a quarter of serious and fatal crashes

Source: Vehicle enforcement data for Great Britain

In addition to the devastation caused to families and communities, road collisions cost the economy an estimated £16.3 billion a year, and add pressure on the NHS and emergency services.

Protecting you from unsafe drivers and vehicles

DVSA Chief Executive, Gareth Llewellyn, said:

DVSA’s priority is to protect you from unsafe drivers and vehicles.

These tougher fines will help us to take stronger action against any drivers or operators who break drivers’ hours rules and will help make our roads safer.

There’s no excuse for driving while tired. The results of falling asleep at the wheel of 40 tonne lorry can be devastating to families and communities. Any drivers breaking these rules is putting other road users at risk and could face losing their licence and livelihood.

James Firth, the Freight Transport Association’s Head of Licensing Policy and Compliance Information, said:

For some years, DVSA officers have been virtually powerless to take effective action against non-UK HGV drivers who may have committed a string of offences in the days and weeks before the vehicle is stopped.

These new powers mean the enforcement authorities will be more able – and more likely – to take action against all drivers who are found to have repeatedly flouted these critical road safety laws.