News

FTA News

17 March 2010

Fuel prices update

UK contract diesel and gas oil prices were firmer last week with diesel strengthening to 94.89 pence per litre (ppl) while gas oil rose to 49.08ppl. Brent crude oil settled above the $80 mark for the first time since the middle of January last week.

Changes to VOSA fees for 2010/2011

On 1 April 2010, following consultation, the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) will be introducing revised fees for statutory and voluntary testing of heavy goods vehicles (hgvs) and public service vehicles (psvs). Some operator licensing fees are abolished and VOSA will also be making refunds to those operators who paid those fees before 20 April 2009 covering periods in 2009/10 and beyond.

The main elements of the statutory fee changes for 2010/11 are:

no general fee increases for 2010/11
increases in fees for full tests of hgvs and psvs (lorries, buses and coaches) to complete the transfer of funding of some activities (mainly enforcement) from operator licence fees to test fees in accordance with previously announced policies to reform operator licence fees
abolition of certain operator licence fees from 31 March 2010, as part of the operator licence fee reform – progressive abolition was affected by regulations which came into force in April 2009
refunds of those operator licence fees being abolished, which were paid in advance at pre-20 April 2009 rates to cover periods in 2009/10, – this is part of the operator licensing fee reform funding transfer and was committed to when the first phase of the reform came into effect in April 2009
changes to relevant testing fees to remove the supplements currently paid for tests at non-VOSA premises and equalisation of fees regardless of test location in line with commitments made
expansion of weekday core testing hours – ie the hours during which no out-of-hours supplement is charged

The consultation process on statutory fees was launched in August 2009 and that on voluntary test fees was launched in February 2009. The new fees are available to view here.

DCPC statements of periodic training

The Driving Standards Agency (DSA) Records and Evidence Unit has confirmed the procedures for drivers to obtain statements of periodic training they have undertaken to obtain a Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (DCPC).

Drivers should e-mail the unit at CPCREdsa.gsi.gov.uk (or call 0191 201 8112) and include:

A request for a statement of periodic training to be posted to their home address
Name
Date of birth
Driver licence number
Home address

Only the driver may make the request and the statement will be posted to the driver’s home address as shown on their driving licence. Members may wish to ask potential new drivers to provide statements of training as part of the driver recruitment process.

For more information on DCPC and to download a free copy of FTA’s DCPC record and planner click here.

Are you responsible for the measurement or reporting of GHG emissions in your company?

The Climate Change Act 2008 makes the UK the first country in the world to have a legally binding long-term framework to cut carbon emissions. The Act also creates a framework on the measurement and reporting on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Specifically, the Act requires the Government to carry out a review by December 2010 to evaluate the contribution that reporting on GHG emissions is making to the achievement of the UK's climate change objectives.

PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) to undertake a research project as part of the 2010 review, to develop evidence on the relationship between corporate reporting of GHG emissions and business behavioural change, strategy, target setting and GHG emissions reduction. This evidence will contribute to a decision on whether regulations should be introduced to require reporting of GHG emissions under the Companies Act 2006.

As part of this project, PwC are conducting a survey of current reporting practices amongst companies. On behalf of DEFRA, FTA invites any interested members to complete the survey which will be important in supporting the department’s evidence base. The deadline for completions is 22 March 2010 and the survey can be accessed by clicking here.

FTA member briefings on good practice in driver management

Make the most of your membership and attend one of these key events highlighting the features of successful driver management systems.

FTA is running a series of FREE Member Briefings across the UK throughout April, looking at two key problem areas – routine vehicle checks and agency drivers. Delivered by our Member Advice Centre, each briefing will cover good practices based on real-life systems used by FTA members, providing practical solutions and ideas that could help to improve your own systems.

Routine vehicle checks

Over 50 per cent of vehicle defects found by our Vehicle Inspection Service should have been spotted by the driver on their walk-around check. This represents a significant opportunity to improve vehicle condition by way of systems that promote and ensure compliance. The briefing will look at successful systems and top tips in the following areas.

Training
What drivers should check
Defect reporting
Auditing

Managing agency drivers

Agency drivers fulfil a vital role in keeping the wheels of businesses moving – quite literally. However, using a driver who is unfamiliar with your operation and unknown to you carries with it significant pitfalls. Find out what other operators do to manage risk in relation to:

choosing an agency
managing driver fatigue – who is responsible for what
daily systems
managing tachograph chart return
agencies and the law

Venue	Date	Time
Glasgow	Wednesday 7 April	17:00-19:00
Southampton	Thursday 8 April	16:00-18:00
Northern Ireland	Thursday 8 April	14:00-16:00
Gatwick	Monday 12 April	14:30-16:30
Coventry	Wednesday 14 April	14:00-16:00
Warrington	Thursday 15 April	09:00-11:00
Nottingham	Thursday 15 April	14:00-16:00
Exeter	Monday 19 April	17:00-19:00
Cambridge	Tuesday 20 April	14:00-16:00
Leeds	Tuesday 20 April	09:00-11:00
Cardiff	Wednesday 21 April	16:00-18:00
Durham	Thursday 22 April	09:00-11:00
Ipswich	Wednesday 28 April	16:00-18:00

Call 08717 11 22 22 or visit our website to book your place today.

Logistics Showcase

How often do you feel that logistics doesn’t get the credit it deserves? Well, now’s your chance to show the sector some love at the Logistics Showcase. Taking place on the first evening of the CV Operator Show (Tuesday 13 April 2010) in Birmingham, this gala dinner is an opportunity to celebrate the sector. Hosted by Kate Silverton, the evening will also see the premiere of four brand new short films, each showcasing a particular aspect of logistics, as well as a chance to meet up with contacts old and new.

Places are limited, so make sure you book today at www.lovelogistics.co.uk or by calling the FTA Member Service Centre on 08717 11 22 22.

FTA services

Check out the latest developments in FTA services

Do you love logistics?

Celebrate with FTA at The Logistics Showcase
To celebrate the work of the logistics sector FTA is holding The Logistics Showcase, a brand new event. This is no awards show but a chance for the sector to celebrate what it achieves 365 days of the year. The black tie dinner will take place at the Hilton Metropole, Birmingham, on Tuesday 13 April, the first day of the Commercial Vehicle Operators Show.
For more information or to book your place click here, call 08717 11 22 22* or email infofta.co.uk.

Join industry leaders

Make carbon reporting work for you... and the industry
Join FTA's Logistics Carbon Reduction Scheme and ensure that your company and the logistics sector are keeping ahead of the UK's climate change agenda. The scheme is now open for registration and will provide you with help in recording, reporting and reducing your carbon emissions.
For further information, click here or call 08717 11 22 22*.

Streets ahead!

Now available TomTom Go 7000 Truck Navigation System!
Finally a truck navigation system that understands the constraints of large vehicles and covers western and central Europe. You can also update your existing unit with our new TomTom Truck Navigation SD Card which is compatible with a variety of models. For further information please click here, alternatively you can call our friendly team on 08717 11 11 11* at Shopfta

Supporting a digital future

Now available - a Digital Tachograph Support Package from FTA
FTA’s Digital Tachograph Support Package will guide you through every stage of your transition from analogue to digital vehicles. The package includes preparation for vehicle arrival, digital tachograph simulator navigation, a Powerpoint driver presentation, in cab digital tachograph guidance.
Please call our Member Service Centre on 08717 11 22 22* for further information.

For more information on FTA's services please click on the following links:

Carbonfta • Consultancy • Cost Information Service • Dangerous Goods • Events • International Services • Logistics Buyer Information Services • Online Supply Directory • PCN Support Services • Shopfta • Tachofta • Training • Vehicle Inspection Services

*Calls may be recorded for training purposes.

Contacting FTA

Member Advice Centre

for enquiries about the law and transport operations

Member Service Centre

for enquiries about FTA membership and services

Member feedback

23rd March 2010, 16:06