News and guides from Orcas Informatica
Practical writing on logistics, route planning and running a removals business in the UK.
Check vehicle MOT and tax status: using DVLA and MOT history data for a fleet
How to check vehicle MOT and tax status with DVLA and DVSA's free services, what each one shows, and how a fleet can turn the data into reminders.
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Do removal companies need an operator licence? A UK guide for movers
Do removal companies need an operator licence? Yes, once a vehicle is over 3.5 tonnes. Which licence movers need, the van rules and the grey areas, explained.
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Driver CPC tracking: the 35 hours and expiry dates for every driver
Driver CPC tracking for UK operators: the 35 hours every 5 years, National and International CPC, what happens when a card expires, and how to track a team.
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Driver licence check frequency: how often UK operators should check
Driver licence check frequency for UK operators: what Traffic Commissioners expect, a risk-based schedule by penalty points, and how to prove you kept to it.
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GVMS for hauliers: customs after Brexit for international movers and cargo firms
GVMS for hauliers explained: registering, creating a Goods Movement Reference, transit basics, who does what, and the common causes of delay at the border.
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HGV compliance checklist: the UK vehicle compliance calendar for hauliers
An HGV compliance checklist for UK hauliers: safety inspections, annual tests, tachograph calibration, tail lift exams and tax, as one vehicle calendar.
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HGV drivers' hours rules in the UK: a plain English guide for planners
HGV drivers' hours rules in the UK explained for planners: daily and weekly driving limits, breaks, rest, GB domestic rules, and how to plan trips that comply.
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OCRS score explained: how DVSA's risk score works and how to keep it green
OCRS score explained: how DVSA's Operator Compliance Risk Score is calculated, what the red, amber and green bands mean, and practical steps to lower it.
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Operator licence undertakings explained: a plain guide for small hauliers
Operator licence undertakings explained for UK hauliers: the standard promises every operator makes, what happens if you break them, and a monthly checklist.
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Traffic Commissioner record keeping: what your operator licence records must show
Traffic Commissioner record keeping explained: which records operators must keep, for how long, what goes wrong at public inquiries and what good looks like.
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UK road freight statistics: what the 2025 numbers mean for small operators
UK road freight statistics for 2025: 1.53 billion tonnes lifted, 31% of HGV kilometres run empty. What DfT's latest figures mean for small hauliers.
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Waste carrier licence for removals: when movers need to register
Do removal firms need a waste carrier licence? If you take customers' unwanted items away, yes. When it applies, how to register and how to stay covered.
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Cut fuel costs and carbon emissions: why small hauliers do not have to choose
Cut fuel costs and carbon emissions together: with diesel at a record 200p a litre, every litre saved is money and carbon kept. A guide for small hauliers.
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AI customer service for logistics: give your company its own AI voice with Orca
AI customer service for logistics, done safely: each company gives Orca's AI its own facts, rules and voice, and a person checks every reply before it goes.
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Messenger, WhatsApp and email in one inbox: every customer conversation on one screen
Orca now brings Facebook Messenger into its inbox, so WhatsApp, Messenger and email conversations are all answered from one screen by the whole team.
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Driver licence checks: how UK operators stay compliant with DVLA
Driver licence checks explained for UK operators: what the law requires, how to check with DVLA, how often to check, and how Orca makes it automatic.
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DVSA walkaround check: the complete guide for HGV drivers and operators
The DVSA walkaround check explained: all 27 HGV daily check items, how to report defects, which records to keep, and how to do it on your phone.
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One inbox for WhatsApp and email, with AI replies and the whole customer in view
Orca now brings WhatsApp and email into one inbox, shows each customer's orders and history beside the chat, and drafts every reply with AI.
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