Do you engage foreign drivers and have concerns about providing them with instructions on compliance that they fully understand?
If so, the DVSA has recently announced that they have released HGV walkaround check information in 22 different languages.
The information was released on the gov.uk website on 21 September 2023.
The guidance information is also designed to help with routine checks at the roadside where a driver’s first language is not English.
Furthermore, the guidance also explains common problems that the DVSA encounter, such as tyre conditions and tread depths so you can address these problems quickly and efficiently.
The guidance is designed to be bite-sized, so is quick to read for drivers carrying out daily walkaround checks and easy to share for those managing drivers.
The DVSA has said that they will also be sharing the guidance with drivers when they carry out roadside checks. The intention of this is to reinforce the importance of daily walkaround checks.
Operators are advised to share this information with their drivers during toolbox talks to reinforce the importance of effective daily walkaround checks.
There are also short training videos on the DVSA website which can be shown to drivers.
It is imperative that operators document all toolbox talks and ensure an attendance sheet is signed by drivers and dated for compliance reasons.
It is also useful to attach an attendance sheet to a short synopsis of the information provided, or copies of any handouts given to drivers, so that you can evidence which drivers have been given the information and when.
These steps are all part of your operator’s licence compliance requirements, so please ensure you stay on top of your HGV walkaround procedures.
If you require any advice on transport or haulage law, please get in touch.