DfT consults over O-licensing of batch-mixers

Volumetric ‘batch’ concrete mixers may be brought into the scope of operator licensing when a current Department for Transport (DfT) consultation concludes.

The trucks are currently held to be ‘plant’ and thus exempt the structures of O-licensing, because, unlike conventional ‘barrel’ mixers, they transport water, sand and cement separately to the delivery address and then mix them together on-site.

Essentially they do the same job as barrel mixers, which do fall into the scope of O-licensing.

It is estimated that over 700 such vehicles are currently operating legally without O-licences in the UK. During enforcement checks specifically targeting construction sector vehicles in London last autumn, six volumetric mixers were stopped.

Of these, five received immediate prohibitions because of mechanical defects, and three of the prohibited trucks were also found to be either overloaded or carrying an insecure load. Fifteen faults were found on one vehicle alone.

In contrast, the DfT said that random checks on all types of goods vehicles yield an 11.5 per cent fault rate. The Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA)’s enforcement activities are funded through O-licence fees, and there is concern that operators of volumetric equipment are currently enjoying a free ride at the expense of barrel mixer operators.

In its consultation, which closes on 5 March, the DfT is also inviting comments on the exemptions currently provided for recovery and breakdown trucks, showman’s vehicles, mobile cranes and electric vehicles. It anticipates increases in some of these classes, particularly electric vehicles, and points out that the gross weight of electric trucks is likely to increase from the current 12 tonnes maximum.

Readers can download the consultation document here.