DfT consults on new spot fines for truck drivers

The Department for Transport has launched a consultation into proposals which would give enforcement officers new powers to issue on-the-spot fines to truck drivers for drivers’ hours and HGV Road User Levy offences, rather than taking them to court.

The proposals would enable officers to issue spot fines for offences committed up to 28 days prior to being pulled over.

This would be particularly useful in targeting non-compliant foreign hauliers, DfT says, because truckers without a valid UK home address cannot be issued with a court summons.

Roads minister Stephen Hammond said: “Tired drivers are more prone to accidents which is why there are limits on the number of hours hauliers can drive. Sadly a selfish minority ignore this, putting others’ road safety at risk.

“The option to issue a fine for this offence would provide an effective weapon in the fight against irresponsible driving by both foreign and UK drivers.

“This and the fact we introduced the new HGV Levy earlier this year shows we are determined to ensure UK drivers and their foreign competitors are on a level playing field.”

DfT said the changes would bring the UK in line with other EU member states that already issue spot penalties for drivers’ hours breaches. The House of Commons transport select committee has already declared support for changes which would allow fixed penalty notices to be issued to drivers who have recently breached drivers’ hours rules.

The consultation runs until Monday 11 August, and can be accessed here.