O-licensing 'will reach Northern Ireland soon'

Date: 17/1/2012

Operator Licensing (O-licensing) will be introduced in Northern Ireland by April, Environment Minister Alex Attwood has claimed.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) has so far been frustrated by the lack of progress in the sector since scope for the new initiative was passed in January 2010.

It claims O-licensing will positively impact on road safety as it will mean all commercial vehicle operators in Northern Ireland have to hold the licence if they carry goods on a vehicle weighing more than 3.5 tonnes.

Head of Policy for Northern Ireland at the FTA Tom Wilson met with Mr Attwood to discuss the matter and said there are also economic reasons for giving the scheme the go-ahead.

If commercial vehicle owners are required by law to make regular maintenance checks "this would reduce congestion resulting from vehicle breakdowns, improve air quality and reduce those indirect costs associated with unreliable deliveries and vehicle downtime," Mr Wilson stated.

Earlier this month, the FTA released the 50th edition of its Yearbook of Road Transport Law, which includes updates to O-licensing rules and agency worker regulations.

Posted by Mary Treen