Fuel Duty Freeze for HGV Operators: What the Tax Relief Means

HGV Fuel Duty Freeze

The Government has announced further support for drivers and hauliers, confirming that the temporary 5p fuel duty cut will remain in place until the end of 2026, rather than being unwound from September 2026 as previously planned. It has also introduced a 12-month Vehicle Excise Duty holiday for HGV operators, meaning eligible HGVs will pay…

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85% of Roadside Fines Could Be Avoided with a Proper Walkaround Check

According to the Office of the Traffic Commissioner, 85% of roadside fines for vehicle infringements could have been avoided if the driver had actually carried out a proper walkaround check before starting their journey. Not a different check. Not a more advanced check. The same check they are already supposed to do every day. Let…

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How Often Should You Carry Out Driver Gate Checks?

How Often Should You Carry Out Driver Gate Checks?

This is probably the most common question we get asked by transport managers, and the honest answer is that there is no single number written in law. No regulation says you must gate-check every driver once a week, or once a month, or at any other interval. There is no clause in the operator licensing…

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2026 Van Tachograph Rules: What Operators Need to Know

Tachograph for Commercial Vehicles

2026 Van Tachograph Rules: What Operators Need to Know From 1 July 2026, light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes that are used for international hire and reward journeys will need to have a Smart Tachograph 2 fitted. For operators who have been running vans across borders without ever having to think about tachographs, this is…

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Restricted Operator Licence Compliance: Monthly Checks You Must Complete

Restricted Operator Licence compliance still requires active oversight, even without a Transport Manager. It does not remove the need for operational control. If compliance sits within your business, someone must check that systems are working, not occasionally, but every month. When issues surface, they are rarely sudden. In most cases, they have been building for…

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Restricted Operator Licence Compliance: Lower Burden, Same Responsibility

Restricted Operator Licence compliance requires the same legal standards as a standard licence, despite not needing a Transport Manager. Operators must maintain vehicles, manage drivers’ hours and keep accurate records, or risk enforcement action from DVSA and the Traffic Commissioner. A Restricted Operator Licence does not require a CPC-qualified Transport Manager. What is often misunderstood…

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Restricted Licence Support: How Total Compliance Helps Operators Stay Compliant

What is Restricted Licence Support? Restricted licence support helps businesses operating goods vehicles under a restricted operator’s licence maintain compliance with DVSA and Traffic Commissioner requirements. This includes vehicle maintenance oversight, compliance audits, training and consultancy designed to ensure operators can demonstrate control over their transport operations. Holding a restricted operator’s licence does not mean…

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Driver Wellbeing in Transport: Stress, Fatigue and Physical Strain

Stress Awareness Month offers an important opportunity to discuss workplace wellbeing. In the transport sector, however, the conversation needs to go beyond stress alone. Driver wellbeing in transport operations involves a combination of factors that affect both health and safety. Professional drivers often face long sedentary hours, fatigue, physical strain and operational pressures that can…

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