Law Archives | Smith Bowyer Clarke

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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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Roadside Stops can Stop Your Business in its Tracks: Prohibitions, PG9s and the DVSA

Having one of your vehicles stopped by the DVSA can be a headache for any operator. Even if your vehicle and driver are given a clean bill of health, the stop itself will usually mean a delay to your daily work schedule. If the stopping officer does uncover infringements during […]

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Earning a Reputation – Can Earned Recognition Work for Your Business?

  Face it – nobody likes being pulled over by the DVSA. Even when no infringements are found, an unexpected roadside inspection can be a big headache for any operator trying to meet tight delivery deadlines. But, clearly there has be a way for the DVSA to check whether an […]

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Operator Licences – A Beginner’s Guide for Anyone Thinking of Running a Truck or Bus

  So you want to operate your own truck or bus?   Whether you’re already a driver looking to start up on your own, or you’re entirely new to the transport industry, chances are you’ve heard of something called an Operators’ Licence. Read on to find out what this is, […]

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Truck Seized in the UK? Fear Not – You Can Get it Back

  Having a truck seized by the UK authorities can be a nightmare. Earnings can be hit hard and in some circumstances the vehicle is permanently lost, with no insurance pay out.   The good news is seized trucks can be recovered! With no “one size fits all approach” you […]

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Do I Need an Operator’s Licence? (Goods Vehicles)

  This is a simple question which is not always simple to answer. The Operator Licensing system is complex and there are many exemptions that may or may not apply to you. The reality is that you should always get specialist advice or you could find yourself applying for a […]

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5 Challenges Facing Dutch & Belgian Hauliers Operating Trucks in the UK (And How to Overcome Them)

Dutch and Belgian trucks carry a large percentage of all the goods that enter the UK each year by road. Without this vital trade, the UK economy would very quickly run into trouble. Transport companies in the Netherlands and Belgium are some of the most advanced and legally compliant anywhere […]

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How To Improve Your Chances at Traffic Commissioners’ Public Inquiry

  Getting called to a Public Inquiry before the Traffic Commissioner is a frightening experience for any operator. As a worst-case scenario, the Traffic Commissioner has the power to refuse or revoke your operating licence and even to disqualify you from holding one in the future. For this reason, many […]

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Tasers and the Law

  A number of drivers coming through the channel ports, worried by the increasingly aggressive behaviour of clandestine entrants and the laissez faire attitude of the French Police, especially since the Brexit referendum, have been tempted to buy a Taser for self-defence. These are much more easily available on the continent […]

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