The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has launched a consultation about improvements to the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence. The consultation is asking for views on subject areas covering:
• Allowing 12 out of the 35 hours to be e-learning.
• Allowing dangerous goods training to count towards Driver CPC.
• Amending the exemption for non-commercial driving by removing the term ‘personal use’.
• Clarifying what constitutes ‘driving as a principal activity’. The consultation will end on 29 April 2020.
11.03.20 – HM Treasury Vehicle Excise Duty: (call for evidence)
This call for evidence seeks views on how the government can use VED to further encourage the uptake of zero and ultra-low emission cars, reduce overall emissions from road transport, help meet our legally binding climate change targets and improve air quality. Closes 03.06.20.
20.02.20 – Consulting on ending the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans (consultation)
Government is seeking views on bringing forward the end to the sale of new petrol, diesel and hybrid cars and vans from 2040 to 2035, or earlier if a faster transition appears feasible. Consultation closes at 11.45pm 29 May 2020.
CLOSED CONSULTATIONS
Lower Thames Crossing – Supplementary consultation​
Proposals provided for a number of design changes based on feedback and where further information had become available. This consultation provided an opportunity to view and comment on these changes. Consultation closed 25.03.20.
Law Commission Consultation on Automated Vehicles: Passenger services and public transport
A review of the regulatory framework for the safe deployment of automated vehicles in the UK. The second consultation paper on the regulation of highly automated road passenger services (HARPS). Consultation closed 03.02.20.
Salary threshold and points-based system (PBS) commission: call for evidence
Government asked the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to reassess the salary threshold within the future immigration policy and to look at how an Australian points-based system would work. The MAC put out a call for evidence to consider regional variations, possible exceptions via the Shortage Occupation List (SOL), and inclusion of non-cash benefits and allowances for part-time workers. The government is currently reviewing feedback. Call for evidence closed 05.11.19.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSES
04.03.20 – E10 petrol and consumer protection: government response
Government response to the E10 and consumer protection aspects of the E10 petrol, consumer protection and fuel pump labelling consultation of 2018. The response agrees introducing E10 petrol would help the UK meet climate change targets and suggests a further focused consultation on E10 introduction. This is the second and final government response to the 2018 consultation; the first response on fuel pump labelling aspects was released in February 2019.
06.02.20 – Street manager and street works permit scheme changes government outcome
Proposals to implement the street manager digital service plus conditional changes for street works permit schemes and the framework for road restrictions. These documents contain a summary of responses to the government’s proposals, the government’s response and an impact assessment.
HEADLINES
14.04.20 – DVSA changes to car theory test
Video clips will be used as part of the car theory test to make it more realistic and improve the accessibility for all candidates. This will replace the written case study part of the current theory test.
Candidates will be asked three questions based on the short video clip. All other aspects of the test will remain the same.
19.03.20 – HMT, Finance Bill 2020 legislation and explanatory notes published
The explanatory notes published in the Finance Bill on 19 March 2020.
18.03.20 – DfT, Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of EU drivers’ hours rules
Temporary relaxation of the EU drivers’ hours rules for a 30-day period, for drivers supplying supermarkets with food and other essential items.
17.03.20 – HMRC introduction of IR35 reform
Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Steve Barclay, has announced that the extension of IR35 to medium and large companies in the private sector is being postponed by a year, to 6 April 2021.
17.03.20 – STC, Traffic Commissioners: contingency and emergency planning, COVID-19
Statutory Document setting out the approach that Traffic Commissioners will adopt in response to the COVID-19 outbreak in Great Britain (GOV.UK).
11.03.20 – DfT & Highways England, Road Investment Strategy 2 (RIS2): 2020 to 2025
Five-year strategy for investment in and management of the strategic road network from April 2020 to March 2025.
11.03.20 – HM Treasury, Budget documents published
The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered his Budget to Parliament on 11 March 2020. Documents covering the Budget in full including the Comprehensive Spending Review are available at GOV.UK.
11.03.20 – BEIS & HM Treasury, National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage: Low Pay Commission remit 2020
The government has published a new remit for the Low Pay Commission (LPC). The new remit asks the LPC to make recommendations for the National Living Wage rate and National Minimum Wage rates that should apply from April 2021. The LPC to make these recommendations by October 2020.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Vehicle Excise Duty rates for zero-emission vehicles from 1 April 2020
Tax Information and Impact Note about changes to Vehicle Excise Duty rates for zero-emission vehicles from 1 April 2020.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Changes to tax provisions for Carbon Emissions Tax
This measure announces that the government will maintain the Carbon Emissions Tax as a fallback carbon pricing policy and legislate in Finance Bill 2020, to make changes to the tax provisions set out in the Finance Act 2019.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Changes to Landfill Tax rates from 1 April 2020
This measure increases the standard and lower rates of Landfill Tax in line with the Retail Prices Index from 1 April 2020.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Vehicle Excise Duty rates for vans, cars and motorcycles from 1 April 2020
This Tax Information and Impact Note is about the Vehicle Excise Draft rates for vans, cars and motorcycles from 1 April 2020 (V149 now updated).
11.03.20 – HMRC, Capital allowance carbon dioxide emissions thresholds for business cars, goods vehicles and equipment for gas refuelling stations from April 2021
This Tax Information and Impact Note is about an extension to the period that 100% first year capital allowances are available for business cars and first year allowances for business cars, zero-emission goods vehicles and equipment for gas refuelling stations.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Taxation of company cars using carbon dioxide emissions
Confirmation that all new cars provided to employees and available for private use that are first registered from 6 April 2020 will be taxed according to the CO2 emissions figure, measured under the Worldwide Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure system.
11.03.20 – HMRC, Employment Allowance increases for National Insurance from April 2020
This measure increases the maximum Employment Allowance by £1,000 to £4,000 from April 2020. This means eligible businesses and charities will be able to claim a greater reduction on their Secondary Class 1 National Insurance contributions liability
11.03.20 – HMRC, Income Tax changes to the van benefit charge and fuel benefit charges for cars and vans from 6 April 2020
This measure increases the van benefit charge and the car and van fuel benefit charges for Income Tax by the Consumer Price Index from 6 April 2020.
02.03.20 – DfT, Longer semi-trailer trial evaluation: annual report 2018
Summary of research and findings from year seven of the longer semitrailer trial evaluation.
11.02.20 – Revised form VTG 788 to record HGVs with DVSA
You will need to use the latest version of the correct form depending on how you registered the vehicle with DVLA. It only needs to be done once for each relevant vehicle to allow you to book an annual test for it. A VTG 788 should be used for vehicles approved under European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval or National Small Series Type Approval, and a VTG 789 for a vehicle that has an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA).
09.02.20 – DfT Temporary relaxation of the enforcement of drivers’ hours and working time rules: delivery of LPG. Updated 06.03.20​
Temporary relaxation for drivers undertaking ‘trunk’ deliveries of LPG in England, Scotland and Wales between 8 March and 29 March 2020.
05.02.20 – DVSA Revised enforcement sanctions policy
Updated the enforcement sanctions policy with extra offence numbers for annex 1C/smart tachograph. Kent traffic order offences have also been added. The tachograph section has been split between EU and International Road Transport (AETR) rules.
13.01.20 – three new forms to record PSVs with DVSA
You will need to use the correct form depending on how you registered the vehicle with DVLA: a VTP 788 for vehicles approved under European Community Whole Vehicle Type Approval or National Small Series Type Approval, a VTP 789 for a vehicle that has an Individual Vehicle Approval (IVA) or a Certificate of Initial Fitness (COIF), and a VTP 790 if you need to notify DVSA of a change of registration mark for a public service vehicle. These forms will replace the ‘PSV Allocation of Registration Mark’ (RM1 & RM2) forms.
17.02.20 – DfT, Freight grants review 2019 to 2020
Research published to inform which rail and water freight routes should be eligible for grant and the maximum grant rates.
05.02.20 – DVSA, Driver CPC qualification and training data
Driver CPC qualification and training data updated (GOV.UK).
17.02.20 – DfT, Rail and water freight grants
Information for companies applying for mode shift revenue support and waterborne freight grant schemes, which offer help with rail or water freight. Web page updated to include new funding guidance and application forms.
27.02.20 – HMT & HMRC, Review of changes to the off-payroll working rules: report and conclusions
In January 2020, the government announced a review of the implementation of the April 2020 reform, to address concerns from affected businesses and individuals. This report outlines a number of changes the government has identified to address concerns. (Note that this has now been delayed until April 2021).
03.02.20 – DfT, Mode Shift Revenue Support (MSRS) grant scheme 2020 to 2025
Details supporting transporting freight by rail and water rather than road by grant funding the additional operating costs incurred by companies.
03.02.20 – DfT, Waterborne Freight Grant scheme 2020 to 2025
Supports transporting freight by water rather than road by grant funding the additional operating costs incurred by companies.
28.01.20 – DVSA, Approved Tachograph Centre (ATC) manual updated
Updated the list of approved equipment for the testing of tachographs.
27.01.20 – DVSA, Approved tachograph centre special notice 08-19
An update on the relaxation of installation rules for 1C tachographs, and UK approved 1C seal suppliers.
