3.5 tonne trying to do the right thing...

[gensetsteve]

"If pulled"? Naughty but if my experience is anything to go by I agree, not that I do it anymore.

 

The chap that delivers our chippers with a disco did get stopped and fined GBP200 and now has a tacho.

 

your first loss is your best loss dont get caught twice.

[openspaceman]

Vehicles OVER 3500kg are subject to "O" licence

 

Yes but if the vehicle is MAM of 3500kg and it pulls a trailer such that the actual weight exceeds 3.5 it needs a tacho but not necessarilly an operator's licence.

 

It's when the vehicle and trailer exceed 7.5 tonnes that the tacho must be used at all times.

 

So I could drive a 7.5 tonne lorry within 50km and not need to use the tacho if I only travel to work and use the chipper.

 

I have a C1+E grandfather right to drive the truck with a trailer up to 8.25 tonne gross but as soon as I hang the chipper on the back I must use the tacho.

 

In fact if I do have to drive any vehilce with a tacho I do use it.

[rgeparker]

Best bet not to use the last 75kg, in fact if you account for nose loading of the trailer you cannot get to full GTW in any case.

 

I understood it as being the GTW possible, rather than the actual load being carried at that time.. If that makes sense. I.e my truck and trailer loaded to their maximum permissible weight would exceed 3.5 tonne. Even if the trailer was empty , and I got pulled over, would I not be in the wrong, because if the trailer WAS loaded, I'd be overweight? It's what the trailer can potentially carry, is it not? Like, I'm not able to tow an empty trailer with a GVW of 800kgs, because If it was loaded, my driving Licence wouldn't allow it.. Or is that a different matter again?

[aspenarb]

Yes but if the vehicle is MAM of 3500kg and it pulls a trailer such that the actual weight exceeds 3.5 it needs a tacho but not necessarilly an operator's licence.

 

It's when the vehicle and trailer exceed 7.5 tonnes that the tacho must be used at all times.

 

So I could drive a 7.5 tonne lorry within 50km and not need to use the tacho if I only travel to work and use the chipper.

 

I have a C1+E grandfather right to drive the truck with a trailer up to 8.25 tonne gross but as soon as I hang the chipper on the back I must use the tacho.

 

In fact if I do have to drive any vehilce with a tacho I do use it.

 

A few tacho exemptions that exist might be of interest to some, 5 ,6. and maybe 17. If the form is filled in and sent off Vosa will have it on their database as exempt, we have used it on our bowsers etc.

 

Bob

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210068/hgv-tachograph-exemption-declaration-form.pdf

Edited January 27, 2014 by aspenarb

[rgeparker]

I understood it as being the GTW possible, rather than the actual load being carried at that time.. If that makes sense. I.e my truck and trailer loaded to their maximum permissible weight would exceed 3.5 tonne. Even if the trailer was empty , and I got pulled over, would I not be in the wrong, because if the trailer WAS loaded, I'd be overweight? It's what the trailer can potentially carry, is it not? Like, I'm not able to tow an empty trailer with a GVW of 800kgs, because If it was loaded, my driving Licence wouldn't allow it.. Or is that a different matter again?

 

I think what I was trying to say here is that it's what the combination COULD weigh, as opposed to what it actually weighs in at.. Which In my case would be just over the 3.5 tonne threshold.. Sorry, I'm a bit tired.. I Should probably just go to bed! Haha.

[richy_B]

When I read these threads it annoys me to no end why the govt/vosa cannot just put a clear, concise set of guidelines. IMHO these laws/regulations shouldn't be so open to interpretation/misunderstanding, it should be clear cut. Ignorance is not a defence but when the legislation is complex and often contradictory then what do they anticipate. The whole B+e, C1+e, O license, tacho, CPC area could do with being cleaned up.

[aspenarb]

When I read these threads it annoys me to no end why the govt/vosa cannot just put a clear, concise set of guidelines. IMHO these laws/regulations shouldn't be so open to interpretation/misunderstanding, it should be clear cut. Ignorance is not a defence but when the legislation is complex and often contradictory then what do they anticipate. The whole B+e, C1+e, O license, tacho, CPC area could do with being cleaned up.

 

 

Its not made easy but the downloads are there for all to read. As said Tacho exemption 5 would cover most local arb guys running 7.5 tons, its not a get out its a clearly written exemption.

 

Bob

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210068/hgv-tachograph-exemption-declaration-form.pdf

 

5. Vehicle is not over 7500kg GVW or is part of a combination of vehicles not over 7500 kg

 

combined GVW which is used to carry materials equipment or machinery for the driver s use in

 

the course of his work within a 50 km radius of base and where driving is not the driver s main

 

activity

[treequip]

Its not made easy but the downloads are there for all to read. As said Tacho exemption 5 would cover most local arb guys running 7.5 tons, its not a get out its a clearly written exemption.

 

Bob

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/210068/hgv-tachograph-exemption-declaration-form.pdf

 

5. Vehicle is not over 7500kg GVW or is part of a combination of vehicles not over 7500 kg

 

combined GVW which is used to carry materials equipment or machinery for the driver s use in

 

the course of his work within a 50 km radius of base and where driving is not the driver s main

 

activity

 

But that exemption wont cover you if you move anything off site. No logs or chip away.

[aspenarb]

But that exemption wont cover you if you move anything off site. No logs or chip away.

.

 

I think this particular exemption fits the local arb guy, the materials on the truck are normally going back to the yard for further process which in my view is still in the course of his work. It wont cover delivering logs or other products for reward etc but they would probably go out on a smaller truck., registering the exemption is important though. The bowser units we have run on the same exemption and we dont have to empty them of water for the journey home. If in doubt seek clarification . All said and done these exemptions are intended to help those that dont primarily drive for a living and only use the truck locally .

 

Bob

[treequip]

.

 

I think this particular exemption fits the local arb guy, the materials on the truck are normally going back to the yard for further process which in my view is still in the course of his work. It wont cover delivering logs or other products for reward etc but they would probably go out on a smaller truck., registering the exemption is important though. The bowser units we have run on the same exemption and we dont have to empty them of water for the journey home. If in doubt seek clarification . All said and done these exemptions are intended to help those that dont primarily drive for a living and only use the truck locally .

 

Bob

 

I disagree

 

The exemption is

 

"for the driver's use in the course of his work"

 

and removing waste is not "for use in the course of his work" its waste removed from site, back to a depot for further processing.

 

Your bowser is the perfect example of the exemption, clearly you don't need to empty the bowser for the journey back, the contents of the bowser are unused materials and not waste you are removing from site.