Welcome to Truckers Stammtisch

The word Stammtisch is German and means a regular get-together or meeting.  In 2000, it was applied to a truckers surgery that was arranged by German traffic police to give truck drivers the opportunity to speak directly to the police on a range of subjects that directly affected them, in confidence.

The event was a great success and has grown steadily throughout Europe, taking place on the first Wednesday of each month.  Stammtisch has now come to the UK and is currently being operated by a growing number of police forces throughout England.  Check out the Event Locations sidebar for your nearest event.

The Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) are leading on a new initiative called ParkWise.  Aimed at truckers who choose to park overnight and during rest breaks in laybys rather than motorway services or truck parks, the ParkWise DVD and poster campaign educates these drivers  on the risks they are taking, not only with their load, but with their life.

PC Steve Rounds said 'We know truckers are tempted to choose laybys rather than service area's because of the cost of parking, but choose the wrong place to park and you could pay with your life.  Be Wise - ParkWise.'

The launch took place at Strensham Services, M5 northbound at junction 8 on Wednesday 7th October 2009.

Dyfed Powys police have become the first police force in Wales to offer a Truckers Stammtisch.  From Wednesday 5th August 2009, commercial vehicle drivers in Wales will have regular access to policing services tailored to their needs. 

Officers who are commercial vehicle specialists will be on hand to offer advice and education, rather than issuing tickets or summonses to drivers, who seek their help.

Take the opportunity to air your views to the people who police your community, the UK Haulage Industry.  You can also get expert advice or just stop by to have a chat at any of the locations listed in the adjacent box headed 'Event Locations'.

The Metropolitan Police have acheived another first for the UK, by being invited to hold a stammtisch in the drivers' canteen at South Mimms Services. 

Police Sergeant Dick Golding, who was responsible for bringing the stammtisch concept over from Germany leads the team that operates around the M25 ring at South Mimms, Clackett Lane and Fleet Services.

PS Golding said "This is a major step forward in developing trust and confidence between roads policing officers and commercial vehicle drivers and operators.  Drivers' are now realising that we are there to educate and advise and talk through any issue's they may have and that they can talk to us in confidence." 

Picture right - Officers from the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit chat to drivers in the warm and dry of the drivers' canteen at South Mimms Services.

If you want to meet the Met for a stammtisch, look out for the banner's on the first Wednesday of every month. 

Nottinghamshire police have introduced an innovative tent for their stammtisch.  Easily recognisable, the tent gives all weather protection, as well as housing the all important kettle.

Insp Crane, from OSD says ‘This is a great opportunity to talk to truck drivers without the enforcement head on. I hope it helps break down a few barriers, and the motorway officers are enjoying the chance to have an informal chat with part of their community’

Kent Police held their first Stammtisch on Wednesday 3rd June 2009 at Maidstone motorway services on the M20 and it proved to be a great hit with local commercial vehicle drivers.

Officers from the Cold Harbour Commercial Vehicle Unit were on hand to answer questions and give advice and training, particularly with regrard to digital tachograph's and the new drivers' hours regulations.

 PC Steve Rounds, one of the Stammtisch coordinators said "The whole point of the Stammtisch events is to provide a service to commercial drivers that they haven't had in the past.  We would rather sort out issue's that drivers have in a pragmatic way with advice and training, than a summons to court.  That way we can enhance the trust and confidence that our commercial drivers have in the police." Click here, or on the image left to view the gallery.

The Driving Standards Agency will be present at a number of Stammtisch events during the coming months promoting the new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC), which introduces a new Initial Qualification for drivers entering the lorry and bus industries.  In addition, all existing bus, coach and lorry drivers must undertake periodic training in order to maintain their Driver CPC and continue to drive professionally. 

• If you are a driver or operator, you can find more information by calling Driver CPC enquiries is 0300 200 1122
• or you can email at customer.services@dsa.gsi.gov.uk (putting Driver CPC into the subject field). 
• The Driver CPC website can be found at www.transportoffice.gov.uk/cpc

Leicestershire Police are the most recent UK police force to join Operation Stammtisch, having carried out their first event on Wednesday 7th January 2009, which was a great success.  PC Stephen Williams is the lead officer who has already arranged the second event due to take place at the A5 Truckstop near Liboume on Wednesday 4th February 2009. 

For Polish speaking drivers, PC Williams has arranged for an interpreter to be present during the day and the officers will be happy to speak to any driver, about any subject in confidence. 

This is your chance to speak with the police about issues that affect you and your industry.

For more information about the Leicestershire Stammtisch, click on their link in the Events Location box to the right of this page.  Don't forget, you can telephone any information to the Stammtisch Hotline 01202 226030 or click here to submit information anonymously.

Wednesday 5th November 2008 - The first Stammtisch event to be held in the UK outside of London attracted 60 drivers, to the lorry park at Hilton on the M6 north bound between J10A and J11.  Each driver spoke directly to a police officer who is a specialist in commercial vehicle legislation, in confidence.  The officers are able to offer expert advice on subjects such as driver's hours, analogue and digital tachographs, the carriage of dangerous goods, construction and use etc.

As a driver or operator, you have direct access to the men and women who police the strategic road network of the UK and who can have a significant impact on the issue's that affect you and your company.  If you feel that you would like to submit your information or comments anonymously, you can use the 'Submit Information' page.  Your information will be acted upon.

Following an eight month trial, the Metropolitan Police Commercial Vehicle Education Unit have now firmly established the truck drivers' stammtisch in the Greater London area.  Thurrock and Clackett Lane services were just two of the venues chosen for the trial, which has proved very succesful in enabling truck drivers' to voice their opinions on issue's that affect them daily.

Not surprisingly, the congestiion charge, price of fuel and overnight parking security were common topics for discussion, as were the affect of foreign operators using low paid drivers from the newly admitted EU countries and the pressure being placed upon them to exceed their hours.

Interestingly, one foreign driver who had been pressured to exceed his hours by his employer, approached the officers in order that he could receive a prohibition and therefore take a rest, whilst being able to provide an excuse to his employer as to why he had not continued to drive.  The police are sympathetic to such requests and the volunteering of such information will not necesarrily lead to a prosecution as well as the prohibition.