Congestion Charge Changes To Hit London from July 2013

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Rebecca Hall

Back in February our very own Steve Blackburn wrote on the FleetNews blog about the proposed changes to the London Congestion Charge and the storm it created. Much of the furore surrounding the changes was caused by the fact small diesel and hybrid cars – that are currently exempt from the charge – would no longer qualify for a discount.

At the time of writing that blog, the proposals from Transport for London (TfL) were at in consultation, and there was plenty of speculation about the exact detail of the changes. But now, with them finally out of consultation, we know the finer details of the changes due to come into effect in July and exactly how they will affect motorists.

Tough New Emission Standards

The meat of the proposal has gone unchanged – with the expected tough new emission standards being introduced. This means that from July only fully electric vehicles or vehicles that emit 75g/km or less CO2 AND meet the Euro 5 emissions standard for air quality will qualify for a 100% discount in the charge.

A new scheme, called the Ultra Low Emission Discount (ULED), which takes effect on July 1, will replace the current Greener Vehicle Discount (GVD) and the Electric Vehicle Discount. Drivers and their vehicles registered for the Electric Vehicle Discount will automatically be transferred to the new ULED. However, due to the severity of the new rules, all vehicles currently registered for GVD will not meet the criteria for the new ULED. Those small diesels and hybrids will loose their discount.

However Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, along with TfL have made a couple of changes to the proposals. Recognizing that many drivers chose to buy their cars solely to receive the discount, owners of cars registered for the GUV will still receive their discount for a “sunset period” of three years.

Other minor changes to the scheme include removing the option to pay the charge by cash in shops (ending on 26th July 2013) and increasing the penalty charge from £120 to £130 (on 20th May 2013).

Commercial Sector Tax

But for us working in the commercial sector, running our diesel vans and lorries, the news hasn’t changed. No exemption. No discount. Unless, of course, you find feasible to run electric vehicles. So it’s still a case of “electric vehicle or nothing”.

And here at Navman Wireless, our desire is still the same as set out by Steve in February – we want to see all low-emission commercial vehicles that have no choice but to enter congestion zone exempt from the charge. Maybe then it will seem more like a genuine attempt to ease congestion in central London and less of a tax on the commercial sector.

Posted in General, Reducing Vehicle Emissions, SMEs | Leave a comment

Driver CPC – A Quick Guide

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Ben Williams

As the deadline approaches for existing PCV & LGV drivers to undertake their initial 35 hours of Periodic Training we take a look at what’s involved in getting, and keeping, your Driver CPC.

What is the Driver CPC?

The Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) is a vocational qualification for professional drivers introduced by the European Parliament and Council in 2003 to help raise standards amongst professional drivers, reduce carbon emissions, improve road safety and promote driving as a career.

This came into effect for drivers of Passenger Carrying Vehicles (PCVs) on 10th September 2008 and for drivers of Large Good Vehicles on 10th September 2009.

Does Everyone Need to Get a Driver CPC?

If the vehicle you intend to drive can carry more than 8 passengers or a load of more than 3.5 tonnes and is being driven for commercial purposes then, in general, yes.

There are, however, some exceptions when a vehicle can be driven without a Driver CPC. These are very much exceptions though – e.g. “The vehicle is limited to a top speed of 28mph” or “The vehicle is used in a state of emergency or for rescue missions”. They’re listed, in full, here: https://www.gov.uk/driver-certificate-of-professional-competence-cpc/when-you-dont-need-driver-cpc

How much does it cost?

The cost of your initial training will vary from supplier to supplier. The fee for the initial qualification tests are fixed and are currently as follows:
Fee type   Weekday   Evening, weekend and bank holiday
Part 1a – theory test (multiple-choice)   £35   £35
Part 1b – theory test (hazard perception)   £15   £15
Part 2 – Driver CPC case studies test   £30   £30
Part 3 – driving ability test   £115   £141
Part 4 – Driver CPC practical test (vehicle safety demonstration)   £55   £63

How Do I Get a Driver CPC?

Some drivers will have received their Driver CPC through “acquired rights” but if you’re new to driving you’ll need to undertake the initial qualification. This is made up of four modules of 2 practical & 2 theory tests and you must pass all 4 before you’ll receive your Driver CPC.

Once you’ve passed you’re issued with a Driver Qualification Card (DQC) which you must carry with you when driving.

That’s It?

Not quite.

Sometime during the 5 years after passing your initial qualification, and every 5 years there after, you need to undertake 35 hours of Periodic Training.

Unlike your initial qualification though this isn’t a “pass or fail” course but each training sessions must be a minimum of 7 hours and completed with an approved trainer.

Where Can I Find an Approved Trainer?


There are plenty of approved trainers and courses and you’ll be sure to find one near you. The best place to look is on the snappily named Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training. Follow the link here:

http://www.jaupt.org.uk/

Can I check how much more training I still need to do?

You can track how much training you’re still required to do online here: https://www.gov.uk/check-your-driver-cpc-periodic-training-hours

I Got My DQC Through Acquired Rights What Are the Periodic Training Deadlines?

The clock is ticking for drivers who obtained their DQCs through “acquired rights” when the Driver CPC was introduced in 2008 & 2009.

LGV drivers must complete theirs by 10th September 2013 while LGV drivers must complete theirs by 10th September 2014 or face the prospect of losing their Driver CPC.

Who pays for my Periodic Training? Me or my employer?

That depends. The onus is very much on you to complete the training and, as such, many employers do not cover the costs of your training. Having said that, some companies will pay for you, so it’s worth checking with them.

Posted in General, Top Tips | Leave a comment

Budget Brings Better News for Britain’s Businesses

Posted on March 20, 2013 by Ian Covey

Despite this budget coming at a time when we’re still on the edge of a triple dip recession, fuel prices nearing an all-time high and the nation’s credit rating recently downgraded, there was plenty of good news for small business owners in today’s budget.

In fact there were a number of measures announced that will undoubtedly help many small businesses and justify their rising confidence levels.

Here are the headline announcements:

September’s rise in fuel duty has been cancelled

This is the news that many in the commercial sector and motoring organisations had been hoping to hear. September’s planned rise hasn’t only been postponed – unlike at previous budgets – but has been scrapped completely. While this news comes at a time when prices are reaching a record high, it will still help to keep the wheels of the economy turning and could be the catalyst for some precious economic growth.

What’s more ahead of the budget, the fortunes of the pound changes and we saw it rise against the dollar. Although we might not see this reflected immediately in prices at the pump, it’s good news for motorists, as a weak pound has been, in part, to blame for increasing the cost of fuel.

£3bn cut from Departmental budgets to fund Capital Spending

An announcement made yesterday, the Chancellor is squeezing the budgets of Whitehall departments by a further £3bn to pay for new capital spending projects. Top of his to do list – infrastructure.

Responding to the news, Geoff Dunning, RHA Chief Executive, welcomed the investment on Twitter:

“Good to see an increase in investment on roads. They are the hauliers’ production lines: the cost when they grind to a halt is unacceptable.”

Employment allowance scheme

A new employment allowance will be created that will reduce companies’ national insurance bills by £2,000 per employee. Up to 2.5m employers will benefit, while 450,000 of the country’s smallest businesses will no longer pay any employer contributions, according to the Treasury.

Corporation tax will be cut by a further 1pc to 20pc

The reduction of the headline corporation tax rate to 20pc will welcome news to many companies as the look to remain competitive in the global marketplace. It should also make many the UK a far more attractive prospect for international investors.

Measures to boost the construction industry

There was good news for the construction industry as a whole in the Chancellor’s budget. In a move to boost housebuilding, he has enlarged the government’s Build to Rent Loan scheme from £200m to £1bn.

An additional £225m will be set aside to fund the building of 15,000 new affordable homes in England and Mr Osborne announced a £3.5bn commitment to shared equity loans for first time buyers.

Posted in SMEs | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Small Business Owners – Is The Spring In Their Step Returning?

Posted on March 15, 2013 by Rebecca Hall

Just as spring is trying to show itself after, what feels like, a long a hard winter so it seems that a little bit of optimism is returning to small business owners.

The Federation of Small Businesses first financial report of 2013 has found that the confidence level of small businesses has risen dramatically since the fourth quarter of last year. With small businesses expecting to “marginally increase their staffing levels over the coming three months”.

Although undoubtedly good news, this optimism is tempered with caution as they also found fewer businesses expecting to see growth over the coming twelve months. This lack of confidence is driven by small business owners’ concerns over the current state of the domestic economy and continuing difficulties in accessing finance. Both are major barriers to future growth.

But as April approaches, the Chancellor has the perfect opportunity to alleviate those fears. With the spring budget less than a week away now is his opportunity to help small business owners get the British economy moving again.

If the Chancellor is still unsure of how to help, there’s no shortage of ideas out in the business community. The FSA and British Chamber of Commerce are calling for the implementation of the proposed Business Bank. They hope this will get finance flowing again by stimulating increased competition in the banking sector. Especially if the new bank takes on the micro-funding, long term and higher risk loan applications and advice that existing lenders refuse to deal with.

In addition the FSA is calling for an easing of the burden of rates. This should resonate particularly strongly with many small businesses who now face paying more in rates than they do in rent. Scrapping this year’s planned rate rise is a popular “wish list” item amongst organisations representing business – with both the CBI, Chamber of Commerce and British Retail Consortium echoing the FSB’s calls.

But of all the announcements in his budget statement, the most eagerly awaited by many of you will undoubtedly be about September’s planned 3p increase in fuel duty. Let’s hope the recent speculation that the Chancellor will “scrap” it are true as it’s another rise that the commercial sector could do without. In recent months, as the pound continues to fall against the dollar and crude prices continue to rise, we’re approaching an all-time high price for fuel. This increase would come at a time when the combined Fuel Duty and VAT on a litre of fuel is already in excess of £0.80. And any further increases would surely extinguish any hope of a recovery in the near future.

So we’ll be watching the budget, hoping for good news and hoping the confidence felt by small businesses isn’t misplaced

Posted in SMEs | 1 Comment

“Poll Tax on Wheels” Set to Make an Unwelcome Return?

Posted on March 7, 2013 by Ian Covey

So here’s something we wrote about last October making the headlines again – a two-tier road tax system.

The plans have been trust back into the spotlight as the government prepares to release a green paper in to the funding of the road network.

In addition a report by Lord Deighton was due to outline a number of options to let firms levy tolls on new roads and existing routes where road capacity is increased through extra lanes or widening schemes. Ministers hoped this raft of reforms would help to fill the estimated £10bn gap in the funding for new projects and road improvements

But it seems that Lord Deighton’s report has been torpedoed before even being released. The Financial Times reported the plans have been shelved by senior Tories looking to avoid a backlash from millions of motorist so soon after the party’s humiliation in the recent Eastleigh by-election. And, regardless of the sense of such a scheme, this is another set back to the government’s attempts to boost the economy by increasing infrastructure spending.

So the two-tier road tax system is back in favour once again. In case you’ve forgotten the detail, under the scheme motorists using major A-roads and motorways would be charged a higher rate of tax than those who only travel on local roads and minor A-roads. Though in these times of great mobility, when few of us work in the same town in which we live, nor live in the same town in which we were born, it’s hard to believe many of us would avoid the higher rate of tax. Which seems to be the point as the scheme was proposed by the government as way to plug the gaping hole it’s facing in projected revenues from vehicle excise duty. Despite encouraging us to do so with tax incentives, it seems more of us have switched to lower emission vehicle than the Treasury could really afford.

The plans have been strongly criticised by the AA as a “polll tax on wheels” while others, including ourselves, have questioned the impact such a scheme would have on road safety. Given that at current levels of traffic you’re 5 times more likely to be seriously injured on an urban A-road than on a motorway, do we really want to price more people onto those very roads?

Posted in General | Tagged , | Leave a comment