Notifying authorities As explained in the previous article, notification must be given to the police, highway agency, bridge authorities and any other relevant local bodies. Operators will also need to complete a VR1 form for loads that are wider than 5m. If it is wider than 6.1m, longer than 30m or over 150,000kg in weight, [...]
STGO operations have three weight categories: Category One The load/vehicle must not exceed 50,000kg Category Two The distance between the foremost and rearmost axle of the vehicle that carries the load, or the distance between the kingpin and the rearmost axle of semi-trailer, must not exceed 80,000kg when multiplied by 7,500. Category Three The distance [...]
Abnormal loads are specified in the law as needing particular care, circumstance and preparation, before they can be transported on Britain’s public roads. The Law Abnormal loads are under the Special Types legislation, which permits “abnormal indivisible loads” (AILs) to be carried on the highway. An abnormal load is a load that exceeds the dimensions [...]
AdvantageHGV, the UK’s largest HGV / LGV training company, published figures today showing that 1000′s of motorists are driving illegally and without insurance when transporting horses on trailers or driving horsebox vehicles. Data shows that 1 in 3 people do not understand the licence requirements needed to tow a trailer behind a vehicle, or those required to drive a [...]
One of the most common forgotten about components in HGV / LGVvehicles is tyres, as defective tyres could lead to annual test failure or roadside prohibition. In addition to this, ignoring tyres may also cause you to have to pay heavy fines by meeting the local Traffic Commissioner. If you have an HGV / LGV, [...]
VOSA has recently announced its decision of shutting down its testing stations to make way for privately operated Authorised Testing Facilities or ATFs. According to Parliamentary under secretary, Paul Clark, privatisation will not take place unless the operators do not witness any positive changes in the overall system. The MPs have unanimously asked for a [...]
Results from a survey conducted earlier this year in London showed that there has been a significant rise in drivers of all vehicles using hand-held mobile phones. The use of mobile phones was reported to be the highest in North East London. From 2007, there has been a rising inclination towards the use of hand-held [...]
According to some industry experts, the new regulator of Northern Ireland’s O-licensing system needs to be treated as equally as Traffic Commissioners (TC) is in the UK. Tom Wilson, from the Freight Transport Association, has said that this act is essential, as it will ensure a fair and clear judicial system. The Goods Vehicle Bill [...]
In the UK, there is currently no rule for anyone to keep a device in an HGV / LGV to avoid drivers from moving away when they exceed alcohol limits. However, to tackle the issue of drink-driving, many countries have decided to instate alcohol ignition locks. In Sweden, around 50,000 HGV / LGV vehicles are [...]
Even in the earlier days, HGV driving was quite popular and today it is gradually gaining more and more momentum. Irrespective of a few misconceptions about the HGV industry, many people prefer to opt for a job in the HGV sector. HGV transports bulky and heavy cargo between warehouses and factories and hence they require [...]