ATF Testing
On 20 March, DVSA took the decision to suspend heavy vehicle testing for three months.
While fully understanding the effects of this decision, their focus must be on keeping everyone safe and keeping goods moving.

Now, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, DVSA will not be confirming resource allocation for the period July to September 2020.

This does not mean that they will not be testing during that time, but that they will not commit resource until they get clarity on when and how they can best phase the reintroduction of testing.

Richard Hennessy, DVSA Director of Operations said: “I know this might present challenges, but we are keeping the situation under review and we remain committed to returning to testing as soon as is safe and practical to do so.

“In the meantime, we will work with the industry and its trade bodies to look at what options might be available to you and us in the future when testing is able to re-start.

This will allow us to better understand how we do phase that reintroduction of testing and can then ensure that resource allocation at ATFs can match that plan.”

Essential Work
We have had reports that some businesses have been using a letter from the Department for Transport to claim that social distancing and other measures do not apply to drivers.

We have been asked to remind the sector that this is not the case.

DfT has confirmed that road haulage is essential for the good of everyone. “it considers it essential that the work of the logistics sector should continue to the greatest extent possible through the Covid-19 crisis”.
Keeping drivers as safe as possible during this crisis is essential.  Promoting safe working through distancing measures, good hygiene and providing drivers with what they need to keep themselves and others safe is the responsibility of all employers.”

Breaching distancing guidelines or failing to provide drivers or others in the logistics sector with what they need to maintain hygiene standards is unacceptable. If that entails new processes then these must be implemented wherever and whenever possible.

Driver Medicals
The RHA’s policy team is actively pursuing this issue with DfT and I have been highlighting this issue with them for some time and rest assured, resolving this is a very high priority and we raise it with Government on a daily basis.

In short, the problem will be resolved but, it is legally complex issue.

We cannot say exactly when this will be resolved but we are confident that it will be next week.
We will, of course, let you know as soon as more information becomes available.

Please keep us posted through the RHA’s feedback email address: covid19info@rha.uk.net.

Operator Employment Support (Furlough)
The COVID-19 situation is constantly changing.

The information, available here and latest update here is based on current guidance produced by government from various announcements and as such the information may be subject to change.

Please note: The information does not constitute legal advice and operators are advised to seek specific advice in relation to their business.

Government has published further details of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (the ‘Furlough’ Scheme).

It remains unclear whether HMRC intends to rely on this guidance only, or whether there will be actual legislation and therefore this update is a practical summary of the latest note.

Training
RHA Training is delivering a number of courses online which can be accessed anywhere with a computer and internet connection.

We’re currently delivering Driver CPC to help drivers keep up to date with their training hours as well Transport Manager Refresher and Operator Licence awareness training.

We have a range dates available which can be booked online here.

If you have a requirement for multiple candidates or can’t find a suitable date then contact us at training@rha.uk.net and we’ll do our best to accommodate your requirements.