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.
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.
Passed your FORS Bronze audit? The next step is progressing to FORS Silver, and we’re here to help you get there. Our FORS Silver Help service provides a focused online support solution, designed to guide you through the process and give you the best chance of success with your Silver accreditation.
FORS Silver Help
£799.00 + vat
Dedicated FORS Practitioner Consultant
Silver Policies, Processes and Risk Assessment Templates
FORS Silver accreditation is the next step up from Bronze accreditation. It confirms that you employ good practice and comply with the requirements laid out by the FORS Standard.
For Silver accreditation, fleet operators shall provide evidence for all accredited operating centres demonstrating that they meet the specific requirements for Silver
Evidence must be submitted via the evidencing system
Bronze accreditation must be valid for at least 45 more days at the time of submitting evidence for Silver accreditation
What does our service include?
When you purchase the TMconsultant Silver Help package, you will have access to a dedicated FORS consultant who will guide you through the process from start to pass! We provide all required Silver policies, processes and risk assessment templates for your application which are downloadable after purchase. We will work with you (remotely on-line) to obtain the required information to complete the application. Once we have everything we need, your consultant will collate all the information and help you complete the online application.
Are there any additional costs?
The step up from Bronze to Silver does require additional staff training and vehicle safety equipment over and above the cost of the application and our services. You may or may not have this in place already. However, we will advise you immediately of any additional requirements needed for your V5 Silver application. (Please visit our Silver upgrade BLOG which explains this in more detail)
How long will it take to complete FORS Silver?
We will strive to turn your application around as quickly as possible. But there are some factors which can slow the application down and are out of our control.
Depending on the number of drivers and the outstanding Silver training requirements, getting drivers booked in and trained to meet the minimum Silver FORS requirements can be a juggling act so as not to impact on your fleet operations
Booking and fitment of the Silver FORS safety equipment to fleet vehicles. This can take time to book in at a convenient time, TMConsultant has partnered with AVR Mobile, please see the link below to get a no-obligation quote. (link to AVR mobiles site)
What happens if my application is rejected?
We offer a guaranteed pass with our FORS Silver Service, however, applications can be rejected from time to time. If this happens, we will analyse the feedback, work with you to rectify any major action points and cover the cost of the resubmission fee.
How much will the FORS Silver Help service cost?
Whether this is an initial or reapproval V5 Silver application the cost is £775.00+vat. We will quote a separate price if your fleet is fleet is over 20 vehicles.
Why should I use TMconsultant's services?
Here at TMconsultant we really enjoy what we do, helping our customers successfully achieve their FORS accreditations. We provide a dedicated FORS consultant and supply all the required documentation templates to assist with your Silver accreditation. We will reduce the time and hassle to ensure your FORS Silver application is as painless as possible. Our consultants are either FORS auditors themselves or hold the FORS practitioner certificate, rest assured you will be in safe hands!
How do I purchase FORS Silver Help?
Simply click on the buy now button below. You will be taken to the shop cart, make your purchase and one of our consultants will be in contact with you shortly. Or just get in touch.
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
Workshop 1 – Developing fleet management policy
Workshop 2 – Managing work related road risk
Workshop 3 – Managing driver fitness and health
Workshop 4 – Managing driver training and development
Workshop 5 – Collision procedures and analysis
Workshop 6 – Safe and efficient fleet management
Workshop 7 – Reducing fuel use and minimising environmental impacts
Workshop 8 – Minimising transport fines and charges
Workshop 9 – Measuring and monitoring road fleet performance
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 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.
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.
Your explanation should include how you will ensure the operation and management of the following;
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;
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.
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;
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;
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.
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?
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.
The Senior Traffic Commissioner has also identified some general indicators as to effective transport management which you should comment on:
Knowledge and skills – which require more than just the formal qualification;
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;
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!
Need help with your Operator Licence Application? We can help! Get started!
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!
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.
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:
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.
DVSA announce first businesses to benefit from transport scheme. John Lewis, Sainsbury’s and a district council are among 30 organisations to start benefiting from a new way of recognising safe and responsible vehicle operators.
DVSA earned recognition for vehicle operators is a new way for organisations with lorries, buses and coaches to prove they meet driver and vehicle standards.
They’ll regularly share performance information with DVSA, such as their MOT initial pass rates and if their drivers have broken drivers’ hours rules.
In return, their vehicles are less likely to be stopped for roadside inspections. DVSA will still stop vehicles if they’re in an obviously dangerous condition.
Targeting those likely to be a danger to your safety
From today (31 January 2018), vehicle operators taking part in a pilot of the scheme will no longer have their vehicles routinely stopped at the roadside by DVSA.
This will let DVSA target its inspections and roadside checks at drivers and vehicles most likely to be a danger to your safety.
Household names, local businesses and a local council
The full scheme is expected to launch later in 2018.
When it’s launched, vehicle operators who have joined will be able to:
prove they’re an exemplary operator, which can help when they bid for contracts, and raise their profile with potential customers
use the DVSA earned recognition marque in their marketing and publicity, showing they’re serious about road safety
have their details shown on GOV.UK, so people know they’ve achieved the high standards needed to join the scheme
get access to a dedicated DVSA earned recognition team to discuss issues and ideas to help their business
Their vehicles will continue to be less likely to be stopped at the roadside for checks.
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.
This pilot is allowing the best operators to go about their business unhindered, so we can target our activity at those most likely to be a danger to all road users.
I would like to thank everyone who has helped us develop the pilot to the point where operators are starting to feel the benefits.
What can you expect when you have your FORS audit? Should it be like a visit from the DVSA?*
Well, the FORS audit experience doesn’t have to be painful in anyway and you should expect to have an informative and pleasurable meeting with your FORS auditor. That said, this isn’t always the case. In my experience of FORS audits, (and I have been to a quite a few) I would say that it is possible you may encounter the odd auditor who can make you feel somewhat uncomfortable.
Now we can all agree there is always room for improvement but getting unwanted advice and obnoxious and dismissive comments isn’t necessarily what you signed up for. As far as I’m aware the general ethos of FORS (or more specifically Fleet Source) is to employ knowledgeable auditors who also posses good people and good customer service skills. In most cases that is the case. In fact, I have had the pleasure of meeting many FORS auditors whom are extremely talented transport consultants in their right and are really engaging people. However, if you have finished your audit exhausted with frustration, then how come a few have slipped through the net?
Finding the right people for the job
I can’t comment for Fleet Source or FORS but one can assume, as with all employers that finding the right people for the job can be difficult. I can speak from experience as I have made some not so great employment decisions. You meet the candidate, interview goes well, good CV etc. But after a few weeks it turns out they aren’t quite who they say they are, and that perhaps you may have misjudged your decision making process. Anyway, the point being it is understandable how some auditors may have the knowledge but lack certain other necessary skills required for the job.
Should I complain about my FORS audit experience?
Ok, so what happens if you encounter said auditor and haven’t had that great FORS audit experience? Well, you need to log a complaint. I know no one wants to sound like a whinge, but it’s vitally important you do log your concern. This way, something will be done about it and it will ultimately minimise the chances of someone else being subject to the same problem. However, you must ensure you do this the correct way. So here’s my list of Do’s and Don’ts after finding yourself in this unfortunate position.
Do be polite at all times and stay on good terms. Even if this person is pushing your buttons!
Don’t lose your temper, as the last thing you want is to have is a complaint logged against you and your company
Do wait until your audit report comes back before you do any complaining. You need to have all the facts, remember knowledge is power!
Do be meticulous. Go through each action point and work out what you disagree with and what you think the auditor has got wrong/missed etc
Do think carefully about how you are going to approach the personality issues encountered. Be as positive as possible.
Do be factual, concise and honest
Don’t make any demands but you do need to think about what outcome you would like to achieve. If you have a genuine issue then I can say FORS will listen and deal with your complaint in a very professional manner
Do refuse an auditor if they are known to be difficult. When allocated an auditor, you do have the right to refuse and request another one.
I’m not going to publish any names in this post about the FORS audit experience. However, if you are about to apply for your FORS Bronze audit, then feel free to get in touch and I will happily let know the names to watch out for!
*Please note this isn’t to say DVSA visits and DVSA officers provide a bad experience. All DVSA officers whom I have met are very professional and have been very good at making the operator feel at ease. It’s just a more pressured experience as the stakes are much higher!
Have you had any bad or indeed great FORS audit experiences? I’d love to hear about them! Let me know in the comments section.
Changes to fines for commercial drivers rules will affect lorry, bus and coach drivers who drive tired will be fined for every time they’ve done it in the last 28 days.
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
DVSA traffic examiners will be given new powers to issue on-the-spot fines for any drivers’ hours offences committed in the last 28 days.
In a single roadside check, DVSA traffic examiners will be able to 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.
When the rules will change
The exact date the rules will change be confirmed nearer the time.
The change will be well-publicised so drivers and vehicle operators are fully aware of the penalties.
As well as giving fines to drivers for recent offences, DVSA traffic examiners will start 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.
From 1 November 2017, DVSA will start 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:
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.
If you require any advice or you would like help with your operator licence, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. Here to share the knowledge!
