From Monday, September 12, registered heavy vehicle operators in NSW can access their drivers’ demerit points balance for a period of 12 months, providing they have each truckie’s consent.
The NSW Minister for Regional Transport and Roads Sam Farraway announced the new system today, proclaiming it as an important safety tool for operators and drivers.
“Giving operators access to their drivers’ demerit points record will allow them to identify and work with their drivers to address potential safety issues early,” said Farraway.
“Improved education and training will help employers work with their drivers to prevent them from losing their licence and save lives on our roads.”
Road Freight NSW CEO Simon O’Hara welcomes the new system which marks the end result of advocacy with Transport for NSW by the association and its container operators over many years.
“Our container operators found that after particularly long weekends, some of them were vicariously exposed,” said O’Hara.
“This new system allows operators to check on up to 1000 employees at one time and use one consent form for a period of up to 12 months. Rather than the old system of having to get a consent form every time they used a system similar to this one.
“This new system gives certainty back to operators and flexibility to check demerits when they need to, so that at all times freight operators are complying with the law as are their drivers.”
O’Hara said this new system delivers safety first for the community and early piece of mind for the operator with drivers not having to be burdened by the administrative work of having to provide this information.
“Road Freight NSW and our operators joins with Minister Farraway and TfNSW to take a safety first approach for the freight industry and community.”
To find out more about the Heavy Vehicle Operator Safety Information Program (HVOSIP), click here. The website will be updated with the latest information following the official launch on September 12.