Check list for being legal

[Mike H]

Alycidon

 

Have a look at Tachograph for vans - towing regulations - commercial vehicles - Fleet News

 

I did the flow chart and ended up with....

 

"If goods carried are in relation to the drivers work and driving is not his/her main activity

 

You should not need to fit a tachograph. If this changes you should fit a digital tachograph.

 

This exemption only applies to vehicles or combinations of vehicles with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 7,500 kgs that are used for carrying materials, equipment or machinery for the drivers use in the course of his/her work and the vehicles are used only within a 50km radius of the base of the undertaking and on condition that driving the vehicle does not constitute the drivers main activity."

 

Does firewood count as being the 'drivers work'?

[Fentiger]

Thanks for clarification Alycidon. Doesn't really make sense though, after all most people have a car capable of exceeding 100mph yet the speed limit is at most 70mph

 

Sense does not enter the equation.... it was spoilt for sensible people the day the idiot in the Land Rover went down the railway embankment in Selby.....

[Billy]

You are fine with C1E pulling with a landy at max train weight (7500kg I believe) no tacho/notes required operating within 50k radius of base

[Shane]

Sense does not enter the equation.... it was spoilt for sensible people the day the idiot in the Land Rover went down the railway embankment in Selby.....

 

Did that lead to changes in the law?

 

I really don't remember.

[Fentiger]

Did that lead to changes in the law?

 

I really don't remember.

 

Pretty well straight after that tachometer regs for trailer use came in!

[SteveA]

How many have you had?

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

 

Judging by the spelling & grammar he's probably well within limits.

[Mike H]

Yup, I'm good

 

Thanks Billy. It makes sense otherwise builders/landscapers/gardeners and loads of other businesses will need a tacho but I don't know anyone that actually has one. I think the fact that you are not a 'driver' as your main occupation is important along with being under 7500kg. It seems that if you go abroad or beyond 50km from home, then be careful and perhaps keep records.

 

Anyone know differently?

[Steve Bullman]

Thanks for clarification Alycidon. Doesn't really make sense though, after all most people have a car capable of exceeding 100mph yet the speed limit is at most 70mph

 

You just answered your own question surely

[Wood wasp]

Not at all, if Alycidon is correct then two completely different things... Your combined weight can physically be under 3.5t gtw limit but if plate on trailer says 3.5t then you're in breach of regs.

 

Your car is equally capable of breaching regs at any time (speed limit in this case) but as long as you're not actually speeding then you're still legal.

[openspaceman]

Yup, I'm good

 

Thanks Billy. It makes sense otherwise builders/landscapers/gardeners and loads of other businesses will need a tacho but I don't know anyone that actually has one.

 

Many people who should use a tacho don't have one, I only know of one that was fined £200 and then fitted one (£1200).

 

 

I think the fact that you are not a 'driver' as your main occupation is important along with being under 7500kg. It seems that if you go abroad or beyond 50km from home, then be careful and perhaps keep records.

 

Anyone know differently?

 

Yes it's 100km now but it is only for taking tools and equipment for the driver to work with. Delivering goods or equipment is not exempt.

 

In your case you may argue that taking and delivering logs from your woodland is forestry, and thus exempt from tacho but that wood that you buy in is not exempted.

 

Once the MAM of the unit exceeds 7.5 tonnes you must use the tacho unless exempted, so putting a small chipper on the back of a 7.5 tonne truck means you must use the tacho.