Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill returns to the Lords

The Haulage Permits and Trailer Registration Bill returned to the House of Lords on Wednesday 4 July for consideration of Commons amendments in 'ping pong'.

Members discussed subjects including government reports on injurious or fatal road traffic accidents involving trailers, safety testing of trailers and the registration of trailers in Northern Ireland.

As both Houses have agreed on the text of the bill it now awaits Royal Assent when the bill will become an Act of Parliament (law).

A date for Royal Assent is yet to be scheduled.

Lords third reading: Tuesday 24 April

No changes were suggested to the bill ahead of third reading. Members discussed the progress of the bill at the conclusion of its Lords stages.

The bill now goes to the House of Commons for its consideration.

Lords report stage: Tuesday 17 April

Members discussed EU Community Licence arrangements, the cost of permits and preventing limits being placed on the number of hauliers travelling between the UK and the EU.

There was also a division (vote) on a proposed amendment (change) to bill.

Members voted on whether to include a new provision to the bill which would require the government to collate comprehensive data on trailer-related road accidents in the UK and publish these findings in a report.

The report should include recommendations on whether it is necessary for the compulsory registration of trailers weighing more than 750kg, regardless of whether the trailer is used internationally or solely on UK roads.

The report must be laid before Parliament within one year of the relevant section of the bill coming into force.

215 members were in favour of this amendment, with 212 against, and so the change was made.

Lords committee stage day two: Thursday 22 March

The committee stage of this bill took place in Grand Committee, a room outside the Lords chamber. In Grand Committee, any member can take part and decisions on amendments can be made, but no votes can take place.

Members discussed subjects including:

compulsory regulations for commercial and non-commercial vehicles over a certain tonnage which travel internationally
mandatory safety requirements for vehicles and annual inspection of trailers
government consultation with bodies including the Road Haulage Association and the Freight Transport Association

Lords committee stage day one: Tuesday 13 March

Members discussed a range of subjects including EU Community Licence arrangements and journeys between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Lords second reading: Tuesday 27 February

Members discussed a number of subjects covered by the bill including introducing a road haulage permit scheme, trailer registration and the 1968 Vienna Convention on Road Traffic.