Vehicle Selection

• Licensing: vocational licensing >3,500 kg MAM; LGV licensing >7,500 kg MAM; operator licensing generally applies above 3.5 tonnes gross plated weight subject to exemptions.
• Load types: bulk liquids, bulk powders, tippers, temperature-controlled goods, vehicle transport, abnormal loads/plant, containers, furniture removals and general goods.
• Configurations: rigids, artics and rigid/drawbar combinations.
• Rigids: useful for small loads, easy access and dense/heavy tipper work.
• Artics: flexible, large loadspace, trailer interchange and good for volume loads.
• Rigid/drawbar: maximum load volume among the three basic configurations.
• Handling equipment: pallets, pump trucks, truck-mounted forklifts, post pallets, roll cages and tail lifts.
• Safety: risk assess equipment, train users and establish safe working procedures.
• Environment: fuel economy, emissions, alternative fuels, lubricants, recycling, noise and road wear.
• Economics: assess whole-life cost, not simply purchase price or VED.
• Crew comfort: air conditioning, sleeper cabs, night heaters, suitable engine power, automatic transmission and cruise control.
• Security: locks, central locking, immobilisers, box bodies, encrypted seals, tracking and cameras.