HGV Archives | Smith Bowyer Clarke

Expert team of Barristers and Solicitors with years of experience in providing advice and representation in Road Transport Law.

Tag Archives: HGV

How Do You Deal with Drivers’ Hours Infringements? – What are Your Obligations as a Transport Manager?

Even in the best run transport business there will inevitably be occasions when drivers cut corners, make mistakes or in some cases deliberately bend the rules. This article looks at the practical processes and procedures Transport Managers and operators should have in place to: Monitor driver compliance and identify drivers’ […]

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The Prevention of Clandestine Entrants – Installing an Effective System to Avoid Costly Civil Penalties.

Most international hauliers are aware that they may be hit with high Civil Penalties if one of their drivers brings Clandestine Entrants into the United Kingdom. With both the driver and the haulier each facing fines of up to £2,000 per clandestine immigrant, the total amount which a haulier may […]

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Smoking in Trucks: What the Law Says

  HGV operators face fixed penalties for failing to stamp down on smoking. The law on smoking in commercial vehicles is very detailed, yet surprisingly poorly understood. We take a quick look at 3 of the main smoking-related criminal offences that all operators and drivers must be aware of:   […]

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The Dangers of Not Carrying Out Regular Driver Licence Checks

Be honest – how often do you check the licences of your drivers for any endorsements? Once every 6 months? Once a year? Never?   Whether you are a goods or PSV operator, if the answer to any of the above is “yes”, you are running a very big risk. […]

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HGV Driver Caught Speeding? – 5 Things You Need to Know

Every driver knows that exceeding the speed limit is a criminal offence which can lead to penalty points, a fine and a driving ban. For truck drivers however, the position is even more serious. If you are caught speeding and hold an HGV drivers’ licence you can expect to face […]

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Horseboxes as HGVs – Am I Legal?

  If you own or operate a horsebox, or are thinking of doing so, it is essential to ensure that you are not accidentally doing so illegally. The rules and regulations governing horseboxes are in many cases the same as those that govern the operation of HGVs and buses and […]

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Tachograph Offences, Drivers’ Hours and Card-Pulling: An Essential Guide for HGV and PSV Drivers

  For many years the tachograph system has been central to the European haulage industry. Without it, the enforcement agencies (DVSA / police / Office of the Traffic Commissioner) would have no reliable or practical way of policing the rules on working time and drivers’ hours.   But what happens […]

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HELP! – The DVSA are coming to visit

  There are some things that happen, even to the best run businesses, which are less than welcome. High  up on that list must be the DVSA (formerly VOSA) announcing that they  intend  to visit your operating centre. However well-meaning, it is always a trial  when your systems are put […]

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Fines for Carrying Illegal Immigrants in Your Truck – 6 Things You Need to Know

  Fines for carrying illegal immigrants in your truck, also known as “Civil Penalties for Clandestine Entrants” are a big problem for hauliers sending loads into the UK. We look at what they are, how to challenge them, and what you can do to avoid them in the future.   […]

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GOOD REPUTE 2 – Other Behaviour which can Damage your Repute (Freight)

  “It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.” Benjamin Franklin     There are a thousand ways to damage your Good Repute, and Operators are discovering new ones all the time.   We have already looked at what “Good […]

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