The association has called on the DfT to relax the rules to ensure that most employees driving minibuses or commercial vehicles between branches, collecting or delivering them or taking them to roadworthiness tests will not have to hold a Driver CPC (Driver Certificate of Professional Competence).
The exemptions proposed by the DfT would cover drivers travelling within 50 kilometres of their base without passengers or goods, not operating for hire and reward, and driving as an incidental part of their job. The BVRLA has asked the Department to increase the distance restriction to give firms greater flexibility.
The BVRLA has also sought assurances that enforcement action will not be taken against rental and leasing company employees who have not completed the required CPC training by the September deadline.
‘We understand that the Department for Transport is doing all it can to fast-track the changes, but with only weeks before the legislation comes into force, it's paramount that the Department clears up this uncertainty,’ said BVRLA chief executive, Gerry Keaney.
‘Approving the changes would be a victory for common sense and would ensure that the rental industry in particular can continue to provide consumers and businesses with cost-effective, convenient access to minibuses and commercial vehicles up and down the country.’