Morning, Run down to Maidstone from Sheffield yesterday. Horrendous traffic jam on the M20 which resulted in me running over 4 mins before I could park safely. I’ve printed X2 tacho prints off and filled in the details. Passed one to my office and kept one myself in case I get stopped by DVLA. Would this result in me getting a fine if stopped in the next 28 days?? Thanks 
1 Like
Definitely not a fine mate, you have absolutely nothing to worry about, the law allows driving time to be extended/exceeded in circumstances beyond your control.
You have done the correct requirements by the print out’s.
DVSA enforcement will not be interested in that at all, they are only after long term and persistent offenders who commit tachograph fraud to intentionally hide excessive driving hours or not getting enough daily rest periods.
The regulations also allow the continuation of the journey for the safety of the load and the general public using the roads, which to me could loosely translate as this example.
You have a full load classified as ADR, dangerous goods ,such as a fuel or chemical tanker, the tacho is flashing to stop and take a break or daily rest, the driver simply can’t dump the lorry on the hard shoulder on the motorway or in an unsafe/unsuitable location by the side of the road.
2 Likes
Deviation from the rules is permitted to find a suitable parking place.
1 Like
Another scenario could be being delayed by a road closure, RTC, flooding or extreme weather conditions, a driver is on the motorway or road and running out of driving or working time or both and needs to have a 9 or 11 hours daily rest period, once the incident on the road has cleared and the driver can move on again, he or she would not be able to run back to the yard or operating base even it it was 20 to 30 minutes away from where the driver had run out of time.
The regulations state the nearest place to locate suitable or available parking, if the MSA, industrial estate or lay-by was full then the next one was full too, that information would have to be written on the print out’s.
The authorities are aware that MSA’s can be full up by early to late afternoon.
All the popular truck stops fill up early too.
2 Likes
Can we assume it was only exceed driving time and not the 15hrs? Or was traffic delay for lots of hours?
DVSA sanctions don’t come in until min of 15 mins ( and longer if with good reason).
Above referred to ADR … is that what was being carried?
1 Like
The OP hasn’t mentioned the load carried, I put that in as finding parking for ADR is different to a normal load.
For fertiliser as an example we are told to supervise the load at all times.
1 Like
Subject to company policy, you could park many fertilisers in places not suited to more .risky’ loads.
On the Op I’ve guessed it’s a routine load.
1 Like
Thanks…It was after my first daily 4hr 30min run. I’d had a 15min break on my way down to the depot but hit horrendous traffic on the motorway prior to the destination. Once I’d come off everywhere was either double yellow or unsafe to park. I actually stopped at the industrial estate that I was heading. In hindsight I’ll ensure I take the 45 mins break at lot earlier, especially when navigating the horrible M25 circular 
1 Like
Still confused. Did you drive 4 1/2, take a break then take more than another 4 1/2 to arrive?
How long had you planned for it to take?
Thanks Stuart, I’m not used to these long haul runs. You learn something new every day. I did start to panic once I’d parked up and checked my print off Altered my return route to Barnsley from Maidstone via the M11-A1-M1 …more relaxed way back 
1 Like
No problem, we are on here to help out, the other thing to think about if one day you are sent to London, is to always take the 45 minute break before going in, as once there it’s impossible to find a place to park, as most customers won’t let drivers have breaks once they have unloaded or loaded the trailer.
1 Like
Thanks, took a 30min break on my way down at Toddington services. In hindsight I should have taken the full 45 on my first break. But at the time my satnav/maps was showing as no delays…you live n learn
its difficult when you dont know the area. If i had to come up to manchester i wouldnt have a clue where to stop or park.
In case you have to do it again. I assume you came down the m2. There is a small services at gravesend center. (second gravesend exit i think). As you come off the a2 for maidstone you come down bluebell hill there is a shell garage you can park up in. If you were heading for parkwood ind take the slip off bluebell hill for m20 and leave at the next junction right at the roundabout and there is a pull in on the left looks like an entrance but it isnt. turn left at the next roundabout past the entrance to nottcutts then right at the next one follow your nose till you get to the end of the road. turn left. next set of lights (not the crossing) turn right onto willington street. there is a layby on the right after the lights as the road dips down. At the end of willington street turn left onto the sutton road. there is a bp garage on the right just after the junction there is a small ind est where you could park out the way but to be honest parkwood ind is 100 yards further on
Doing long distances can be a pain at times especially as you don’t know what the traffics going to be like 150 miles away.
Plus when ever going to London from the north always stop at last services truck stop before you get onto M25.
at least for a 15 mins break clear your head reset your working time. Unless you have say at least an hour and half driving left id take a full 45 mins as plodding along stop starting soon eats into your driving time.
2 Likes
And just so you know.
Never park overnight in Kent unless at a truck stop . Kent hate truck drivers..
I found out ages ago being from Manchester headed towards drop in Maidstone area as it happens.found a quiet estate no yellow lines no signs. Woke up found been clamped.
Cost ,£150 or something they came out I complained to fellas they just basically laughed said should know better Kent has no overnight parking in Kent for hgvs unless at truck stops.
Explained from Manchester how I supposed to know but they just lauged didn’t care.
But yeah south south east Essex Kent etc plus London greater London is very truck unfriendly and very limited places to park up. As you can’t even guarantee being able to park on Estates for your 45 mins as places are always busy
1 Like
Thanks pal, yes I’ll definitely take a different strategy prior to taking on the Road To Hell …I normally just take a 30min then another 30min on my second break so I’m covering my 6hr daily working rule. Think these planners need to think about contingency??? Don’t think they know what the word means…
Planners think half an inch is ten miles on a map but in the real world it’s 100 miles, some have never seen a lorry or don’t want to.
They use a computer to plan routes and delivery times to the minute and don’t allow for any snarl up’s or incidents on the road so you arrive late at the destination for a security man to say you are 15 minutes late, you will have to ring in and make a rebooking.
1 Like
Boils my blood when you go back and question who plans these longer routes and do they plan in contingency time for traffic delays etc?? They just look at you with a gormless face
Most planners just rely on use Google maps..they type in Sheffield to Maidstone it will say 200 miles 4 hours .
So they presume that’s right. But Google maps thinks your in a car doing 70 not. Truck doing 56.
Take it your new to driving or long distance work.?
End day ijuat start at time your told and I’f you get there late not your prolem.
Just make sure you keep them informed on any delays on route ?
And proife them with an ETA when your a lot nearer.
And don’t get stressed / worried no jobs worth getting worked up over .
As long as you start on time and inform them any delays it’s not your problem
1 Like