as a general rule of thumb the rha is for hauliers and the fta is for the own account companies,
the rha want some form of consignor liability as germany has and the fta does not. both offer lots more than you would think and are worth looking at. and as all things in life it comes with a cost
I don’t have a good word for the general RHA but the specialist sites like livestock, tankers, and refridgerated seem to know their stuff
I wasn’t a member but my boss was and he used to pass me all the newsletters and briefings to read. I imagine the telephone service is much better and worthwhile.
They take money from hauliers & have drinks with the goverment of the day & do pretty much nothing with your money apart from have big flash offices, if they where any good would we not have cheaper rebated fuel, would we get crucified on rates by foreign hauliers? No because they’d protect us, would we have to endure this LEZ disgrace? The list of what they’ve not done is endless…
I bought the FTA International Drivers Handbook which in fairness was pretty damned good but thats all they’ve had & will be getting from my good self…
I was a member of the RHA and the International department for many years and I don’t have a good word to say about them, apart from the fact I could run under RHA T&C’s while I was a member. They just want to take your money and are more concerned about their jollies to various places each year. The information they provided was often flawed and sometimes downright ■■■■■■■■, even to the extent of perpetuating popular driver’s myths rather than checking the facts in their regular bulletins, something I pulled them on several times.
All the information they provide you at a cost is readily available for free online and in my opinion they are nothing more than a bunch of shysters.
Coffeeholic:
I was a member of the RHA + All the information they provide you at a cost is readily available for free online and in my opinion they are nothing more than a bunch of shysters.
Me too and I totally agree with you!
Coffeeholic:
I was a member of the RHA and the International department for many years and I don’t have a good word to say about them, apart from the fact I could run under RHA T&C’s while I was a member. They just want to take your money and are more concerned about their jollies to various places each year. The information they provided was often flawed and sometimes downright ■■■■■■■■, even to the extent of perpetuating popular driver’s myths rather than checking the facts in their regular bulletins, something I pulled them on several times.All the information they provide you at a cost is readily available for free online and in my opinion they are nothing more than a bunch of shysters.
The RHA yearbook is OK for checking on peoples addresses, well it is until they move, you are still in the 2006 manual 
The last one in my possesion
RHA / FTA What have they done for you, is it worth being a member?.. 
I think the response you have got so far should answer your question.
I’m a RHA member !
Lawplan gives you peace of mind although I’ve not had to use it yet !
Their Livestock group does a lot of successful lobbying/consultation with Defra
They lobby the government a lot , obviously they can’t be successful in everything, but the thing I think is would it be worse without them doing that ?
I’m also a RHA member !
And yes I would say it is worth being a member . If you should have a problem or your not sure of something
you can phone their helpline and they can point you in the right direction ,so to speak , or advise you on what
to do .
As for the Lawplan its money well spent .
I got done for a front axle overload , they argued my case , and got me off very lightly . The fees added up to
£600 which my Lawplan covered .