You are NOT usually operating for Hire or Reward when you carry goods you own or goods you have used or will use in the course of your business.*
In each of the following examples a Van below 3,500 kgs (3.5t) and a small trailer is used to transport a mini-digger from a depot to a work site. The gross plated weights of vehicle and trailer when combined exceed 3.5t.*
These examples cover most circumstances; however there are more than these simple examples so if you are in any doubt please contact VOSA Enquiries.
*- The digger is owned by you, the user of the vehicle. You use the digger on the site. This transport is done on your own account and you do not need an operator’s licence.
*- The digger is rented by you, the user of the vehicle. You use the digger on the site. This transport is done on your own account and you do not need an operator’s licence.
*- The digger is rented by you, the owner of the digger is the user of the vehicle (they deliver to site for you to use). You use the digger on the site. This transport is done on the "own account" of the digger renting company and they do not need an operator’s licence.
*- The digger is owned by the building company, you collect it from building company’s depot and bring to site. You use the digger on the site. This transport is done on your own account and you do not need an operator’s licence.
*- The digger is owned by the building company, having used the digger you take it from one site to another site (where the digger is stored). This transport is done on your own account and you do not need an operator’s licence.
*- The digger is not owned by you, you collect it from a depot and deposit it at a site where another company uses it. If you are rewarded for this work in any way (payment or in kind) this is hire or reward, you have not under taken this work on your own account, you have made a pure freight journey – and you will therefore need an operator’s licence.
-------------- have ordered a new crew cab cabstar and this one I am NOT having a tacho fitted. If your train weight is over 3500kg, and is your own tools and equipment, not for hire or reward, then the tacho is not needed.
I had one fitted in my current truck. Its supposed to be calibrated every 6 months, but I have yet to find someone who can do it, or even show me how to use it properly.
I make sure that if I am hiring a crusher to someone, I put it on the back of the truck ratner than tow it, so that gets me oit of the "hire or reward" situation.
examples below taken from the gov website