Is the Correct?

[Chris Sheppard]

I thought a 3.5t vehicle could tow a 750kg trailer no worries?

 

Nope - the 3.5t would be including the weight of the trailer and any load on it, unless within an exemption as mentioned earlier.

[minnnt]

I thought a 3.5t vehicle could tow a 750kg trailer no worries?

 

You're correct, but that's not much use when the trailers mgw is 3.5 tonne hence needing to know if tacho's are needed or not. This is definitely going to be a long thread!! Already got yes, anything over 750kg, tree surgeons are exempt, not if you are towing tools of the trade, not if going less than 50km, less than 100km...

[minnnt]

Nope - the 3.5t would be including the weight of the trailer and any load on it, unless within an exemption as mentioned earlier.

 

I think rupe has it correct mate.

[Chris Sheppard]

I think rupe has it correct mate.

 

The VOSA guy who fined my previous emploer thought otherwise

[treequip]

Uh oh this is gonna be a long thread with no polished answer

 

No. it's simple

 

This is your answer

 

If commercially operated a combination of vehicle and trailer may not exceed 3500kg without a tachograph.

 

Fortunately there is an exemption that tree surgery can use if you stay within 100km of your base

[PeteB]

My understanding is, if the whole package is over 3.5t then unless excepted (50k radius rule for example) then at the least, manual records must be kept of ALL mileage irrespective of whether it is private or commercial.

 

This so a record can be referred to in the event of an incident when or if the towing vehicle is available for private use ie a 4x4, crewcab, whatever.

 

And gentlemen, it cost me £200 to discover that. No amount of saying , "I only use it for demonstrations, it's not for hire or reward etc will stand up in court.

 

On another point. Check the rated capacity of your trailers against your maximum allowed mass and towing capacity. If your rated capacity is 300okgs (Ranger, Rodeo) and your trailer is rated to 3500kgs - you are breaking the law even empty!

[woody1]

From Business support, information and advice | Business Link

 

 

The GB rules will apply if you drive a van or other commercial vehicle with a maximum permitted gross weight of 3.5 tonnes or less. They may also apply to drivers of some passenger-carrying vehicles, including public service vehicles on regular services on routes of 50 kilometres.

 

 

The Great Britain (GB) domestic drivers' hours rules affect most drivers and commercial vehicles that are not within the scope of the EU rules. They apply only to journeys made entirely or partly on public roads in Britain. Northern Ireland has its own domestic rules.

 

For more information on the EU rules, see our guide on how to comply with EU drivers' hours rules.

 

The GB rules won't apply if you are driving in a private capacity, ie not in connection with a job or in any way to earn a living.

 

You will come under the GB rules if you drive a public service vehicle (PSV) that:

 

* is used on regular services of 50 kilometres or less

* has eight or fewer passenger seats and is used on regular services within the UK of 50 kilometres or more

* has eight or fewer passenger seats and is used on non-regular services, such as a tour, private hire or a commercial excursion

 

For definitions of what counts as a public service vehicle and how a regular service is defined, see our guide on drivers' hours rules: the basics.

 

Other passenger-carrying vehicles driven under permit operations - or used for non-PSV use - also come under the GB rules. See this table to help you decide which rules apply to passenger carrying vehicles - Opens in a new window.

 

If you drive a goods vehicle, you will need to follow GB drivers' hours rules if the vehicle or vehicle combination - eg a van with a trailer - has a maximum permissible gross weight of 3.5 tonnes or less, and is operated entirely within Britain.

Exemptions

 

The GB rules do not apply to drivers who do not use public roads, eg driving in connection with road improvements or road maintenance, quarrying, construction work and civil engineering works.

 

If you drive for fewer than four hours every day in any fixed week, you do not have to meet the drivers' hours requirement for that week. A fixed week runs from 00.00 on Sunday to 00.00 the next Sunday.

 

 

Not sure if this helps My mogs are argi class so its never bothered me

 

So whats the answer?? Nevermind all the political jargon its a yes or no answer!

[PeteB]

Yes, keep manual records all the time and a taco must be fitted and used if your vehicle is a "commercial" vehicle and you go over the 3.5t mam and not subject to any of the exemptions. Remember to keep the manual records and the taco information in the cab for the previous 28 days and if a digital taco is fitted, then get it downloaded every six weeks, analyzed for infringements and issue warnings where appropriate.

 

Why don't the commercial vehicle manufacturers and dealers mention this when you line a a new 4x4 or light commercial vehicle.

 

If you are a commercial driver then I beleive that new rules are impending do do with compulsory driver traing every year and that you must soon/now hold a cpc.

 

Is that right?

[mark_goldfinch]

so does this mean you have to stick with in the rules of a taco for example you would have to show that you have had 45 minutes rest for every 4 hours driving that you do? im doing my lgv next week so ill ask the instructor and let you know. sorry for thread it just some times traffic cops have a bit of a tenency to make up there own road laws.

[czhey]

On another point. Check the rated capacity of your trailers against your maximum allowed mass and towing capacity. If your rated capacity is 300okgs (Ranger, Rodeo) and your trailer is rated to 3500kgs - you are breaking the law even empty!

 

My local trailer sales place told me this has changed, and you can tow 3500kg gross trailer as long as it does not exceed 3000kg loaded? Not sure if thats true.

 

 

If over 3500KG train weight (truck/trailer combo) then you need a tacho unless you claim exemption- under 50km not driving for hire/reward. I checked with my local VOSA office- I am exempt for 'driving to a site with tools and driving away with a tree in the trailer' when i checked

 

Not sure about keeping milage records? Never heard of it, but i thought EVERYONE driving for work (even a car) need to have breaks/working hours the same as HGV drivers (45mins break every 4.5hours)?

 

 

Driver CPC- similar exemption if you are not 'driving for hire or reward'.

 

E.g. delivering logs with train weight over 3500kg you will need tacho and CPC!