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Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:08 am
by Dave_L
I've heard reports that VOSA are getting stricter with vehicles without tachographs. If you using your trailer for business and the combined gross weight excesses 3500kg your vehicle will need to be fitted with a tacho.
But before you start getting yourself fitted up there are a few exemptions:-
1) Vehicles used by agricultural, horticultural, forestry or fishery undertakings for carrying goods within 100 kilometres of the place where the vehicle is normally based.
2) Vehicles used in conjunction with the sewerage, flood protection, water, gas and electricity services, highway maintenance and control, refuse collection and disposal, telegraph and telephone services, carriage of postal articles, radio and television broadcasting and the detection of radio or television transmitters or receivers.
3) Vehicles not over 7500kg GVW or 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.
I had a little 'experience'* with VOSA a few weeks back, they have serious powers, so don't under-estimate them!
*Nothing serious, just a stop-check but it was very thorough (which is good) but I did fear I was going to have to "Bend Over" at some point during the "examination".........:O
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 12:39 pm
by GB_Groundworks
3 is confusing as it basically covers everything like me towing a digger to work using it etc id be covered by that from what i read? as driving is not my main job?
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 2:23 pm
by ambient
i use 3 as it covers how we use our 7.5 tonner but was advised by vosa to use tachos just in case or to follow it exactly to the word if caught without disc in doing anything that can be classed as slightly outside this exemption is definite prosecution
Posted: Fri Dec 31, 2010 10:33 pm
by dig dug dan
I got stopped by the police in my old cabstar, towing a digger.
the copper asked where my tacho was, and because i said i was using the digger for forestry work (i had a ripper fitted on it), he reluctantly let me off, but he advised i was now flagged up.
When i ordered the new truck, i ordered a tacho to be factory fitted. I thought that was the end of the matter.
No. I had to get a digital drivers card.
The manual that came with the tacho is so unhelpful. I am supposed to download the data every so often.
Problem is, no one will help me learn how to operate the unit correctly, or adjust it. It tells me i am speeding when i go over 30!!
What i do is leave my card in the slot all the time, and if i get pulled, let them look at at the info. What more can i do??
The rules you have written Dave are so ambiguous, that even the police get confused.
A tractor towing a digger is not exempt, anf you have to use white diesel if its non agricultural, and you still have to keep a log.
Horticulture is not entirely exempt. landscapers are not within this scope.
If i carry crushed concrete for use as aggregates, i am exempt, but not if its for a subbase!!
the mind boggles
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 2:56 am
by Suggers
Last night - my good friend Tim Taylor - (Taylor's Tools - for all your horticulture & gardening needs)
- got nicked (coming up from Devon) - for not having a postcode on his numberplate ? - new one on me?
TT's Tools
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:21 am
by msh paving
Its been law for 3 years or more now suggers,if you have a new number plate made by a garage or any supplier they must put there post code on it, so the police can identify who made it in the event of number plate crime-stolen motors etc etc,
also to get a new plate you have to take registraton document to prove you are allowed to have said plate. Supposed to cut crime........MSH 
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:02 am
by seanandruby
msh paving wrote:Its been law for 3 years or more now suggers,if you have a new number plate made by a garage or any supplier they must put there post code on it, so the police can identify who made it in the event of number plate crime-stolen motors etc etc,
also to get a new plate you have to take registraton document to prove you are allowed to have said plate. Supposed to cut crime........MSH
Seems like a good idea to me.
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 10:50 am
by lutonlagerlout
i saw the postcodes and just thought it was loons, letting burglars let them know when they are out
if its the garage postcode it makes sense
really we should have it like america where your plate is linked to a county,that way out of town cars stick out a bit
LLL
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:08 pm
by Dave_L
It's a bit nit-picking to get hauled over the coals for no postcode on a plate!!!
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 12:09 pm
by Dave_L
Suggers wrote:Last night - my good friend Tim Taylor - (Taylor's Tools - for all your horticulture & gardening needs)
- got nicked (coming up from Devon) - for not having a postcode on his numberplate ? - new one on me?
TT's Tools
Hmmmm I wonder if he got tugged at J27 on the M5 - they seem to be making full use of the VOSA checksite at the moment.....
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 7:13 pm
by dig dug dan
Last night - my good friend Tim Taylor - (Taylor's Tools - for all your horticulture & gardening needs)
- got nicked (coming up from Devon) - for not having a postcode on his numberplate ? - new one on me?
it could be because he has a private plate which stands out a mile ???
Posted: Sat Jan 01, 2011 9:42 pm
by Dave_L
ahhhhhhh I see.......:rock: