Page 46 - Linkline Summer 2016

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THE CHARTERED INSTITUTE OF LOGISTICS & TRANSPORT
Self-Declaration to the
Road Safety Authority:
A legal requirement for all HCV operators
The RSA is responsible for the enforcement of both EU and National Regulations for drivers and operators of commercial vehicles. With legislation now well established regarding the maintenance and testing of commercial vehicles, HCV operators need to know their legal obligations, including Operator Self-Declaration.
Since June 2014, operators of Heavy Commercial Ve- hicles (HCVs) have been required by law to make an online Self-Declaration to the RSA every year in relation to their Heavy Goods Vehicles, Goods trailers, Buses and Ambulances.
A number of public awareness initiatives, including a recent nationwide radio campaign, have been launched by the RSA to notify HCV operators of this legal obli- gation.
The requirement for Self-Declaration to the RSA was introduced by legislation through Statutory Instrument No. 348 of 2013 – Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) (Vehicle Maintenance and Re- pair) Regulations 2013 and the Road Safety Authority (Commercial Vehicle Roadworthiness) Act 2012.
HCV operators must declare that they will maintain and test commercial vehicles they operate in accord- ance with this legislation, and ensure that all HCVs op- erated (including trailers) are listed as part of their iden- ti ed eet on the annual declaration to the RSA.
If an individual or business operates one or more ve- hicles belonging to any one of the following four vehicle classes, they must make a Self-Declaration to the RSA in relation to those vehicles:
All Irish registered commercial vehicles belonging to any one of these four vehicle classes must be included on the declaration.
The responsibility to submit an Operator Self-Declara- tion to the RSA is with the person or business that nor- mally operates, or is in possession of the vehicle. The obligation may not necessarily be aligned with the reg- istered owner of the vehicle. This is because the opera- tor is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance pro- cedures and checks in place for the vehicle. As part of the declaration, a person must be designated the re- sponsibility for the management and supervision of the inspection, repair and maintenance of all Heavy Com- mercial Vehicles.
All HCV operators need to be aware of the mainte- nance and testing obligations associated with their vehi- cles. The RSA continues to highlight that these respon- sibilities, including the requirement to submit an annual online Self-Declaration, applies to all HCV operators – both licensed and own-account operators.
1. Goods-carrying vehicles that have a design gross weight over 3,500 kilograms
2. Passenger-carrying vehicles with more than eight seats, excluding the driver’s seat
3. Goods trailers that have a design gross weight over 3,500 kilograms
4. Ambulances
RSA