VOSA publishes recovery operators’ guide

VOSA has published a ‘guide for recovery operations’, which it says is the result of a need for “further clarification around the complex legislation relating to operating recovery vehicles.”

The agency said: “It has been designed to aid operators, drivers and VOSA staff alike who need a quick and easy reference to questions specific to this sector that regularly come up as they do their jobs.”

The guide covers a variety of topics pertinent to recovery operators, including an examination of various exemptions to normal HGV operating procedure. Items covered include the definition of a recovery vehicle; the scope of the operator licensing exemption for recovery vehicles; drivers’ hours and tachograph; roadworthiness requirements; vehicle weights; and a host of other topics such as load security, speed limiters, Driver CPC and the carriage of passengers.

Gordon MacDonald, head of VOSA enforcement policy, said: “I hope this will be a useful tool to improve awareness of current rules around a variety of important areas and longer term I hope this will help increase compliance and so make our roads a safer place for all of us.”

Steve Scott, regional network manager for Allianz Global Assistance, commented: “This guide will be a really useful reference point for recovery operators to use. It clarifies many of the issues that some in the industry still refer to as grey areas and I am sure this will help recovery operators remain safe and compliant.

“As a work provider to the industry, the safety of our customers is paramount to us so anything that promotes good operating practices can only be applauded.”

The guide can be accessed online here:
http://tinyurl.com/q23c8k9