Driver CPC Periodic Training - What's It All About Then?

By the 10th of September 2014 in the United Kingdom most existing and new professional Large Goods Vehicle (L.G.V) drivers will by law, be required to have completed an extra 35 hours of vocational training. (The Driver CPC EU Directive 2003) This is known as The Vehicle Drivers Certificate of Professional Competence or "Driver CPC". On completion drivers will then be required to renew this training on a 5 yearly cycle.

To comply with the act drivers will have to complete a Driver CPC Course. This will consist of five seven hour training sessions which can only be delivered by an approved instructor and registered training centre. The governing body responsible for Driver CPC Training is The Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (J.A.U.P.T.) who are in turn responsable to The Driving Standards Agency in Great Britain (D.S.A) and The Driver and Vehicle Agency in Northern Ireland.

J.A.U.P.T monitors Training Centres and Trainers to make sure that training is given to the highest standard. Before a trainer can present a course (7 hours of instruction) they must prove their professional ability to train and have a high level of subject knowledge. All courses are vetted and approved by J.A.U.P.T before they get presented to drivers, further to this each course gets rechecked by J.A.U.P.T. annually. This ensures that the course content and the trainers are up to date with changes in Law and Industry Best Practice.

Many drivers when introduced to the idea of ongoing vocational training are naturally sceptical and wonder what they can learn from it. A typical drivers comment is "I've been on the road for 30 years what can you tell me about the job". Well this driver is perfect for Periodic Training, he most likely has not had any formal training for the entire of that 30 years and whilst his knowledge of the road and his ability to drive will be first class he might be lacking in his understanding of Road Transport Law and often is unaware of Best Working Practices within the industry.

Periodic Training's purpose is to refresh the knowledge of drivers by confirming and expanding existing knowledge and to update them on changes in Legislation and Best Working Practices. Depending on the course content, training is delivered in a classrooms or "on the road". An example of a typical training courses is "Drivers Hours & Tachograph's" (A "tachograph" is an in truck recording device that monitors speed and time. Fitting of this device into trucks and busses is a legal requirement in the EU) This course will most likely be delivered in a classroom. The Course presenter will use a variety of delivery techniques including PowerPoint, flip charts and demonstration units. Another example is a course on "Economical Driving" this might contain green environment related content as well as the monetary cost of delivering the goods and could contain both on road and classroom instruction

In conclusion this form of training can only lead to safer roads with fewer accidents and a higher standard of professionalism from L.G.V drivers. Bus and Coach drivers (PSV) are also required to hold a Driver CPC with very similar rules however PSV drivers need to complete by 10th September 2013 that's one year earlier than L.G.V Drivers.

Leadus Ltd Transport Training http://www.leadus-transport-training.co.uk/ are based in Basingstoke Hampshire, we are happy to travel to most areas in the south of England. We are specialises in group based Driver CPC Periodic Training. Driver CPC Training can take place at your own premises providing you have a suitable room or we can provide a training room for you. All of our training courses are JAUPT approved. http://www.drivercpc-periodictraining.org/en/.

Why not send us an email inquiry info@leadus-transport-training.co.uk and see what we can do to help your drivers stay safe and legal on and off the road.

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Things I've Learned About Production and Processes in Cleaning Fleets of Vehicles

Prior to retirement, I ran a mobile truck washing franchising company, and about a dozen years ago, I went in with 4 of our franchisees in the greater Phoenix AZ area to secure an account with the big water and power company there to negotiate a contract to clean all of their vehicles. It turns out the utility company already had a nationwide fleet washing company cleaning their vehicles. In fact they were doing the vehicles for only $2.80 each. You might think that price is far too low, and so did we at the time, at least my franchisees did, but I was more than happy to undercut my competitor.

One thing you need to understand when cleaning fleets of vehicles is the money is in the time, not the job. And when you have 100 work vans, "all the row" and all the same size, it's really easy to clean 60 to 100 vehicles in an hour with a small crew. We should've taken that account, but we didn't. Later we ended up with a cable company with about half as many vehicles and our crews bid only three dollars per vehicle and made a lot of money because they had the production process, and system down to a science, similar to an assembly-line.

Later, they went back to bid on the contract for the utility company, but by then the utility company had signed a three-year agreement, renewing the old agreement with a competing company. A lesson learned I suppose.

Another thing I have learned about cleaning fleets of vehicles is to always have long hose reels for both the fill up tank, a 300-400 feet long 1-inch industrial hose, and 250 to 350 feet or more of high pressure hose with quick disconnects every 50 to 75 feet. This will allow you to fill up with water while your washing is under full production. If you keep the team moving while you are cleaning, it is amazing how many vehicles you can do per hour.

Indeed, you must think about fleet vehicle washing in terms of production, assembly lines, and systems, and not look at each vehicle as a separate entity to be cleaned. Further you should care more about the time you spend on the job to adequately do quality work, than the price per vehicle that you will be billing. Indeed I hope you will please consider all this and learn some of the lessons that our company learned the hard way. If you do this, I believe in the end you will make more money.

Lance Winslow is a retired Founder of a Nationwide Franchise Chain, http://www.truckwashguy.com/ and now runs the Online Think Tank. Lance Winslow believes writing 24,222 articles by July 22, 2011 at 2:22 PM is going to be difficult because all the letters on his keyboard are now worn off now..

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A Couple of Thoughts About Buying That New Truck Bed Cover for Your Pickup

I have often been asked by fellow pickup truck owners why they should bother with a tonneau cover for the bed of their trucks. While it all seems to make so much sense to me, apparently not everyone gets it. There are a number of good reasons to put a cover back there, irregardless of which kind of cover you choose. First, tonneau covers help keep the nasty elements and weather out of the bed of your truck, and whatever you are hauling in it! Secondly, they keep all the lookie-loos from checking out what you've got back there. Third in line, there is a definite boost to your fuel economy by flattening out the back end. A fourth thought is also that they just look cool back there, and make the whole truck look cool!!!

Before you take my advice and rush out to buy a truck bed cover for your rig, here are a few thoughts you should take into consideration BEFORE you buy! I mean - you really don't want to be wasting a lot of your money by getting a cover that doesn't do what YOU need it to. Looks are one thing, but function and purpose are critically important too!

Do a little thinking about how you plan to, or actually do use, your truck. Is it a truck you use a lot for your job or work? Is it used more for hauling your weekend toys? Do you just use it for recreation? Or is it just your favorite vehicle for cruising or getting around? Finally, how much can you afford right now?

Financially speaking, the soft tonneau covers generally cost less than the hard covers. Soft covers that zip or snap or hook will usually also be less expensive. A little more work for you - but if money is tight, certainly a good way to go.

Maybe looks and color are a key for you. The fiberglass covers quite often offer a wide range of color choices, and the likelihood of matching your vehicle's color. Fiberglass covers are an example of a hard tonneau cover. Easy to get a larger color choice with a hard flat surface, than on a soft pliable material.

The hard top covers are more sturdy, do a much better job of maintaining a nice straight even shape over the bed, and offer less wind resistance. Some are made from metals, some from fiberglass, some from plastics and polymers. All make for an excellent look back there.

How much help are you going to have putting the cover on and off, or opening and closing it? A heavier hard cover can be some real work if it's just you trying to do it all yourself. So are some of the soft tops because of their flexibility. You know, once you take them loose, the shape is lost, and it becomes a little like folding a fitted sheet - if you know what I mean!

If you are one of the millions that use your truck for your job or your work, then you really want to consider covers that are simple to open and close, and covers that can be left open - either in part - or the whole thing. Here, I think the soft covers are good because they can be rolled or folded up - without a lot of effort. There are also hinged covers that can be opened in sections. Again, lighter weight is better here. Easier for you to work with alone. If not a soft cover, then think about aluminum or other light weight hard materials.

If this is going to be something that you take off a lot and stow away in your garage, you probably want to go soft, as they will roll or fold up nicely and quickly, and won't take up much space. The hard covers are going to be like stowing your roof rack or kayak in the garage - where you will need some room along a wall, or an overhead storage rack.

One final thought here is about what you carry in the bed. If you continuously are carrying expensive toys, tools, supplies, or gear in the bed, then the best option going is a hard cover with a tailgate lock. These usually involve at cover that can't be opened unless the tail gate is down. With a lock, you can keep the tailgate secure, as well as everything in your bed. Also a lot harder to cut through a hard top cover with a knife or machete.

The whole idea is to really shop around and look around, and see what looks good on a vehicle like yours. And study up to see what features match up to YOUR specific needs and use. Looking cool is great, but not at the expense of functionality! Your time is definitely worth a lot, and so is the gear you are hauling. There are a lot of solid auto accessories web sites and stores out there selling good quality truck bed covers, and many offer lots of info about the tops they sell. Some even have instructions - to make sure it's something you can handle! Enjoy your search and happy hunting!

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Things You Need To Know About Trucks

If you are an experienced transport specialist with years of experience behind you, you are already aware about the different types of trucks available. However, you might find this article useful, as there are always new models appearing. Let's have a look at some of the most popular types of trucks that could also be useful for your business.

The Low Trailer.
The low trailer is a special type of truck that is designed for goods transportation. The trailer of this truck is known as "the swan neck trailer." Its advantage is the increased volume of 95 cube meters, and the lowered floor that will allow you to carry heavier items, especially the ones on pallets.

The floor also has the so-called "scene" with a length of 4 meters. You can also load the goods on the sideways. The maximum height of this model is 3 meters, but it will be lowered as it gets closer to the hood. It can also carry 3 tons of goods, but it is recommended not to load it at its maximum capacity. You can use it especially for small packages, as if you have heavier goods, it is recommended to find a larger truck.

The 7 Toner.
This truck can carry 7 tons of goods, as its name says. You can load it from the sideways too, and it can also carry goods that are more than 6 meters long. It is one of the best trucks to carry steel and hard goods, but also items with a high volume.

The Megatrucks.
Well, you won't have any trouble in carrying anything with this one by your side. The coating could be easily closed for volumetric loadings. You can load it from the behind of the truck, from sideways or even from the upside.

As for the numbers, you will be amazed: 21 tons and dimensions of 14x2.5x3 meters! You will even have a small bed in the cabin, so you could easily move in it.

It is important to know how to choose your truck. A smaller model might consume less, but you will not be able to pick up important volumetric loads. On the other hand, a big truck might be costly for nothing: just think about the gas consumed for carrying a small fridge for 1000 kilometers with a megatruck, and you will understand this aspect. Try to find a compromise between volume and gas consumption and you will make a great choice.

The best article on tow trucks for sale you can be found on the our website, which focuses on lifted trucks for sale.

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Important Sources of Information About Dump Truck Sales!

Trucks are perhaps the most important heavy-duty vehicle at the current time. They are primarily employed in the transportation of material from one location to another.

Ample information regarding dump trucks can be collected through meaningful research. It is possible to identify a few good sources to get some helpful information in order to look for dump truck sales from a reputable dealer.

Web-based Information

The best source of information about the attributes and the multi-functionality of dump trucks can be found through online researching. There are many great sites that contain good data, details and specifics about used vehicles that is necessary for a business that is planning to purchase these vehicles from a dependable dealer. Browsing several websites to amass relevant material or visiting discussion forums and blogs is a great way to find out more about these vehicles. Online forums and blogs provide links that will lead to the websites of many different dealers. Moreover, the internet is a rapidly evolving source that is continuously updating its information.

Heavy-Duty Truck Magazines

Another good way to obtain information that is readily accessible to everyone is magazines. They are not only a good tool that provides the details and specifications of some of these heavy-duty vehicles but are also useful for other research. Reading these truck magazines may truly add to the learning experience of people who are seeking ideas to expand and improve their business. Therefore, reading magazines may not only help in the search for the proper used dump truck but may also prove to be an interesting and informative reading experience.

Magazines are widely available almost anywhere in the world. They can be obtained by means of subscription or by picking one up at a convenience store or kiosk that sells this type of magazine. Updated versions are released at scheduled times. They may be distributed every quarter, once a month or weekly.

Books

The original source of information is always the best. Books are great sources for facts about dump trucks. These publications contain extremely reliable facts about specific aspects of these vehicles such as pictures of parts and accessories. Books can provide a wealth of information that will assist in any purchasing process.

Local Auctions

Another popular way to find quality vehicles are through auctions. Many advantages can be gained by going to an auction. A wide range of options and services are readily available at these competitive sales. By attending local auctions that offer dump trucks sales, it will be easy to find interesting details about these vehicles and where the dealers are located.

These are just few of the ways to find important features about dump trucks. Asking friends, family, business associates, or neighbors about the most trusted dealers based on their own personal experience is a good way to get necessary information. The very best source of facts and details is the suggestions that are obtained from friends. The sources of information may vary from one point to another; eventually they all lead to a reliable and reputable dealer where the proper vehicle is waiting to be purchased. Be informed and the ability to find dump truck sales to fit business needs will take place!

Christopher M. Hunter is an expert in commercial specialty trucks. To find out more about Dump Truck Sales, go to the main website at: http://www.centraltrucksales.net/home.

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Learn About 4x4 Mudding Today

Just about everybody enjoys watching 4?4 mudding. Whether you are actually involved in the driving and getting stuck is a personal preference. Some people really love getting into their truck and running it through the mud.

Many times they will get stuck and require someone to pull them out, but that is all part of the fun. Builders make these mud running vehicles out of many different types of cars and trucks.

Usually the suspension will be enhanced so that it can withstand the beating as well as help the body of the car clear the mud. Additionally many times the engine will also be enhanced to create more power at lower speeds to help them get through the mud.

So what is the fascination of watching people drive through basically a mud puddle? It is the thrill of the run, the victory or defeat of various drivers and of course, the fun of getting stuck.

That does seem to be the most fun people have, when a truck gets stuck and others have to wad in to help pull them out. Everyone ends up covered in mud as the stranded vehicle is rescued. There are always those who are better at driving through than others. These are usually the favored drivers in any mud run. However, the object is to get the furthest into the mud before you can no longer go forward.

The person who makes it the furthest, or even all the way through, will be pronounced the winner. So, what do they win? Usually just bragging rights to the race. And the following week after everyone has performed the necessary repairs on their vehicles, they will all race again to try to beat the prior week's victor.

There are a few professional mud racing organizations that track wins and losses and so on, but most of the runs are held in someone's back yard where there is ample room and plenty of mud. Some people choose to create their own tracks by basically hosing down an area that is already sandy or just dirt or sometimes they will even use a backhoe or tractor to carve out an area then wet it down to create the mud.

Everything from custom built cars and trucks, ATVs and motorcycles run through these mud holes. Many times there will be various classes based on engine size, suspension and body style. Other times it will be all in one category and everyone races against each other. Still other times there is no actual competition. It is a group of people getting together for a day in the sun.

This type of entertainment can become very expensive for the drivers and builders. The suspension parts are usually what ends up getting broken and they are not inexpensive to fix. Because of this sometimes drivers will stop before they actually would have been forced to because they want to avoid the expensive repairs. Others will push their vehicle until it cannot go any more quite literally, causing extensive damage that will require many weeks to repair.

Click here for information on 4x4 mudding.
S W Allen

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Know Everything About The Very Essential Car Wheels

If you are looking for the best information related to car rims, you have visited the right place. Car owners might know that rims play a very crucial role in the road performance of a vehicle. As rims play a very essential role in car's movement, you should select the right one for your vehicle. One needs to pay very special attention while selecting this most important part of the car. Young car owners prefer opting for shining rims for their car as it flaunts their style. On the other hand, aged people prefer to go for sober rims and it is very natural!

In the market you will definitely come across wide varieties of rims, but all are not good or will not serve your purpose. The most popular ones in the market are chrome and alloy rims. If you are looking for something really great, go for chrome ones. The price is high but the demand is also high. But the fact is, these types of rims require maintenance from the car owners. You should clean those parts regularly otherwise you will not get the desired result. Try to keep it away from mud and dirt if possible!

On the other hand, alloy rims are also good. Those looking for high performance along with sober look can go for the alloy ones. Rims made of alloy are durable and are known for their great performance.

If you are the one who is looking for the cheaper ones, try not to acquire the cheaper ones because they will surely not serve your purpose. As you are having it for your vehicle, you should be very careful in selecting the best one. Things or factors that you should need to consider while selecting the best rim is the size of the rim. Always keep in mind that the bigger the car, the bigger will be the rims and vice-versa.

If you are willing to get black rims, the best way is to paint them and then have them clear coated. While opting for such parts, check out for the best quality ones. The higher the quality, the more will be the price. Do not compromise with the quality of such parts. The latest ones in the market are car rims with spinners. The best part of these rims is that they look as though it is still spinning while the vehicle is stationery.

This article will definitely help you out to know about metal wheels. His personal site will help you know more about truck rims.

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Learn About The Different Kinds of Truck Tool Boxes

Having truck tool boxes can add even more storage to your pick-up truck. It is best advised to buy some tool storage to prevent unnecessary clutter by having everything stored in an organized and easy to access manner. The multi-functionality of such tool storage is an added bonus. It will provide you space for both work and play! With the right storage, you can easily transport things for your hobbies, from golf clubs to hunting rifles. This convenience is within your reach, but you must choose between the different tool boxes available on the market.

Truck bed tool boxes are a great option if you have a wide space available in the bed of your pick-up truck. This type of storage usually has a combination of a big compartment and smaller compartments. Some products have compartments that have a wide range, giving a great fit for all sizes of tools. Another type of storage is a truck side tool box. As you can tell from the name, these kinds of boxes are mounted on the side of the truck. This is the best option for those who have limited space in their truck-bed. It still offers the same variety of compartment options, but these kind of boxes can be seen and accessed from the sides of the truck.

Since you are now familiar with some of the different storage models, you can focus on the other details like what material the box is made of. Some black truck tool boxes are made out of composite plastics, and this is usually considered the cheapest way to go. The only set-back is the durability of this material, but that is still debatable and depends heavily on usage. There are also black aluminum based truck tool boxes. These kinds of boxes are much durable compared to plastics but are still light weight, thus they are prone to wear and tear caused by heavy equipment. If you would really like to have a strong and durable box that guarantees a long life span, steel is the answer. Though the costliest and heaviest option, a steel unit boasts great security and a much better longevity than the rest because of the steel's durability and resistance to the elements. Some boxes have a combination of these materials, which allows the best strengths of each type to give a better experience to the user.

There are a lot of different tool storage accessories out there, with each product claiming to be better than the other. It is best to thoroughly research their capabilities so you can get your money's worth and satisfy all your needs, whether for work, play, or both. Always make sure the dimensions of the box can be accommodated by your truck, and that the box meets all requirements by your employer if you will be using it for work.

Check out our blog to find out far more about truck tool boxes.

Our website also has information to help you with your other needs at work, such as what to look for when buying discount steel toe shoes.

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