Member News – 23 September 2026

23 September 2026

In this issue:

• Brewing and drinks industry load security best practice guide.
• Call for evidence on driver health and wellbeing. UK eyesight standards factsheet.
• UK eyesight standards factsheet.

Policy updates

Brewing and drinks industry load security best practice guide

Load security is not just a legal requirement, it is essential for protecting lives. Every year, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) issues 2,000 prohibitions for insecure loads which can cause serious injuries and fatalities on UK roads.

The brewing and drinks industry faces unique challenges, from securing unstable cylindrical kegs, casks and barrels, to managing changing load dynamics during multi-drop deliveries.

To help the sector manage these risks, Logistics UK has published a major update to its brewing and drinks load-security best-practice guide. Developed in collaboration with sector specific Logistics UK members, the DVSA and Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the guide provides practical, industry-specific advice to help operators and drivers secure loads safely, comply with legislation and reduce risk across the supply chain.

The Brewing and Drinks Industry Load Security Best Practice Guide is available on the Logistics UK website here.

Call for evidence on driver health and wellbeing 

Logistics UK will be responding to the Freight and Logistics All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) call for evidence on health and welfare in freight and logistics.

Members are encouraged to share their views on:

• The main physical and mental health challenges facing drivers, and how these affect drivers throughout their careers.
• The barriers that can prevent drivers from accessing healthcare or managing their health effectively, including the processes for assessing and managing fitness to drive.
• The impact of working conditions on driver health and welfare, including working hours, access to roadside facilities, healthy food, rest and exercise.
• Examples of good practice from employers, industry bodies or other organisations that are improving driver health and wellbeing.
• What further action government, regulators, employers and the wider freight and logistics sector should take to improve driver health and welfare.

Please email any contributions to Maddi Solloway-Price by 1 October.

UK eyesight standards factsheet 

This week is National Eye Health Week (21 to 27 September), marking a timely occasion to highlight the importance of clear vision when driving.

In the UK, there are two eyesight standards for drivers. Group 1 applies to motorcycle, car and van drivers, while Group 2 covers bus and HGV drivers. Drivers in Group 2 are required to meet a higher visual standard due to the nature of the vehicles they operate.

The Logistics UK briefing note explains the eyesight requirements for both driver groups and outlines when vision tests are required. The briefing note can be downloaded here.

Quick briefs

Call for evidence response: digital product records policy

Logistics UK submitted its response to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade’s call for evidence on digital product records. The call for evidence aimed to gather information on what a digital product records should look like in GB, including where alignment with the EU may be needed. The EU’s Digital Product Passport (EU DPP) will apply in Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework. Logistics UK’s response discussed the impact on trade, decarbonisation, waste and regulatory alignment.

The full response can be viewed on the Logistics UK website here. If members would like to get in touch about this call for evidence response, please contact Stephanie Haszczyn.

Opportunity to engage with a Digital Trade Corridors programme

The Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade is running a Digital Trade Corridors programme, which supports businesses to trial more digitalised ways of trading, helping them move away from paper/PDF-based processes.

Applications for the next wave of pilots close on Sunday 4 October. Businesses trading with France, Germany or the Netherlands are encouraged to apply before the deadline.

Express your interest here.

National Highways has launched T.R.I.P campaign 

National Highways has launched its T.R.I.P campaign, which aims to reduce the number of breakdowns, saving costs, time, and keep the Strategic Road Network (SRN) moving. It also aims to make journeys safer.

This campaign wave focuses on the importance of inspecting tyre tread, pressure and condition before long journeys. Tyre-related issues were the biggest cause of breakdowns on major roads last year, accounting for 19% of all recorded incidents. Despite this, 11% of UK driving licence holders missed or delayed their last MOT, and 23% have ignored or delayed a tyre-related MOT advisory.

Drivers are advised to:

• Top-up: oil, fuel or electric vehicle batteries.
• Rest: plan a rest break every two hours.
• Inspect: tyre pressure, tread and condition.
• Prepare: be prepared for all weather conditions.

If you have any questions about the campaign, please contact the National Highways team.

National Highways has published its Road to Zero Harm Roadmap

Road to Zero Harm recognises that an integrated safe system approach is needed to achieve both the casualty reduction targets set for Great Britain and National Highways’ ambition for zero harm on the strategic road network. Logistics UK responded to the Road to Zero Harm consultation in 2023.

NaVCIS freight bulletin 

The latest fortnightly National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) Freight crime intelligence bulletin is available, outlining arrests, incidents and ongoing investigations.

The bulletin can be downloaded here.

Insight and reports

New: Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 booklet

Our new Logistics Industry Key Facts 2026 provides an at-a-glance picture of the scale, reach and economic importance of the UK logistics sector.

The booklet brings together the latest headline statistics on the sector’s contribution to GVA and employment, alongside the volume and value of goods moved and traded and key freight flows across the network.

Click here to download your free copy.

Support and advice

Tachograph cards

Q. Will driver tachograph cards hold 56 days’ worth of data?

1. A. Originally, driver tachograph cards were designed to hold a minimum of 28 days detailed activity data before the oldest data was overwritten, depending on the number of activity changes. However, modern tachograph cards, referred to as Generation 2, can hold 56 days of data. It might still be wise for drivers to do a data download, as it will depend on the data storage facilities of the card and number of activities as to whether it will actually be able to retain 56 days of records.

Wearing glasses

Q. Does a driver need to notify the DVLA if they start wearing glasses for driving?

1. A. You must tell DVLA if you have any problem with your eyesight that affects both of your eyes (excluding short/long sightedness, or if you are colour blind), or the remaining eye if you only have one eye.

If a driver must start wearing glasses for driving, DVLA must be notified as the driver will have code 01 for eyesight correction added to their driving licence.

Average EU and UK forecourt prices

Please find the average EU and UK forecourt prices here.