The Guide to Maintaining Roadworthiness is a comprehensive manual produced by the Department for Transport in collaboration with the transport industry and Traffic Commissioners for Great Britain.
It provides detailed regulatory requirements and best practices for maintaining the roadworthiness of commercial goods and public service vehicles in the UK.
Key sections include:
- Introduction: Explains the purpose of the guide, emphasising the importance of combining good maintenance practices with effective management to ensure vehicle roadworthiness.
- Responsibilities for roadworthiness: Outlines the legal obligations of operators and drivers to maintain vehicles in a fit and serviceable condition, including the need for regular inspections and defect reporting.
- Daily walkaround checks: Details the procedures for daily vehicle checks by drivers or responsible persons, including the importance of reporting and rectifying defects before vehicle use.
- Regular safety inspections: Describes the scope, content, and intervals for safety inspections, first use inspections, and intermediate safety checks, along with examples of inspection records.
- Safety inspections and repair facilities: Covers the requirements for in-house and outsourced maintenance facilities, including the need for adequate tools, equipment, and competent staff.
- Monitoring: Emphasises the importance of continuous monitoring and reviewing of maintenance systems to ensure effectiveness, including the use of third-party inspections and analysis of inspection reports.
- Annexes: Provides additional resources such as example inspection records, maintenance contracts, a maintenance planner, and useful addresses for further support.
For further legal support and advice with regard to maintaining the roadworthiness of your commercial goods and public service vehicles, please contact Jared Dunbar today.