Hi, I have recently passed my class 2 and started working for a company called P&H. They work the drivers day out in minutes i.e. arrive at drop1 at 0600 depart at 0610 mileage between drops 18KM. Anyway I have been doing this now for 2 weeks but they have got the mileage wrong on most drops. When I asked another driver about this he said the mileage used to be correct. But the company decided to lift the ban on there computer system so now it just routes drivers through 7.5 ton weight limits. This way the company can expect more from the driver.
It makes the driver work faster because on paperwork he will be routed out for about 10.5 - 12 hours so if he don’t want to be to late he will rush. OK I thought that at lease explains why im clocked in for about 13 hours a day sometimes 14.
It seems to me there are many different restrictions that I am supposed to take in to account since becoming an HGV driver. I know I have a lot to learn but why are company’s allowed to route peoples journeys like this?
This company must have 100 trucks in the depot and the hours people are expected to work are really long. Apparently I started with this company at the wrong time as it is only recently they have implemented this new system. Anyway can someone please tell me is this legal for a company to route people through weight restricted roads?
Thanks and sorry for the long winded post. 
Sure they can, but it’s your legal responsibility not to do it.
4/10. What it has in originality, it lacks in believability. Back to the drawing board
Sorry to sound harsh but if you think weight restrictions can be legally ignored just because a large company wants to get a few extra drops in then you need to brush up on your highway code. Id also question whether you should be driving at all since you’ve passed at least two tests, possibly even three, and still dont understand how a weight restricted area works
Don’t feed the troll.
The-Snowman:
Sorry to sound harsh but if you think weight restrictions can be legally ignored just because a large company wants to get a few extra drops in then you need to brush up on your highway code. Id also question whether you should be driving at all since you’ve passed at least two tests, possibly even three, and still dont understand how a weight restricted area works
hmmm strange answer, the question was can company’s route HGV’s through weight restricted roads. The question was not can HGV’s ignore weight restrictions. Please read the post before posting a snotty comment. If you did not know the answer it would of been polite to say nothing. The question does not ask about a drivers responsibility it asks about the company’s.
Yes I did pass all tests with flying colours and I fully understand the highway code.
OVLOV JAY:
4/10. What it has in originality, it lacks in believability. Back to the drawing board
Not sure I fully understand this reply. Are you suggesting company’s do not route vehicles through weight restricted routes?
the nodding donkey:
Don’t feed the troll.
He might not be, I drove for Sainsburys for 3 years and the only way to one store was to reverse into traffic coming along a one way road.
Mike1:
The-Snowman:
Sorry to sound harsh but if you think weight restrictions can be legally ignored just because a large company wants to get a few extra drops in then you need to brush up on your highway code. Id also question whether you should be driving at all since you’ve passed at least two tests, possibly even three, and still dont understand how a weight restricted area workshmmm strange answer, the question was can company’s route HGV’s through weight restricted roads. The question was not can HGV’s ignore weight restrictions. Please read the post before posting a snotty comment. If you did not know the answer it would of been polite to say nothing. The question does not ask about a drivers responsibility it asks about the company’s.
Yes I did pass all tests with flying colours and I fully understand the highway code.
I understand the question perfectly. What I dont understand is why you would enquire if its legal for a company to ignore it. It doesnt matter. You cant go in it if you’re overweight so who cares. If its illegal to route a vehicle down there, thats their problem and not your’s. Why even ask?
@OVLOV JAY
Im not a troll, it was a simple question regarding a company’s responsibility. I just don’t understand how a company that must be worth millions can operate in such a bad way.
Used to work at the Coventry depot. They deliver to some right places where you’d need to take a certain road for access but I don’t recall copilot truck sending me down roads like that with the right set up.
But… you get a form you can fill out if you’re late for a delivery. You usually get it next day. You fill out the issue and the planners sort it out.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Mike1:
@OVLOV JAY
Im not a troll, it was a simple question regarding a company’s responsibility. I just don’t understand how a company that must be worth millions can operate in such a bad way.
They’ll operate this way to get every inch out of the driver but when it all goes ■■■■ up and you squash some puppies or worse…some kittens, they’ll deny saying anything of the sort and the blame will be on your shoulders…not theirs.
Just ignore what they say and go at your own pace, what doesnt get done in the day bring it back to the yard.
It’s your licence, and your decision whether to keep it or lose it. Your company doesn’t care one jot either way, they’ll just replace you with another newbie they can abuse. Get your experience and get out.
Mike1:
that at lease explains why im clocked in for about 13 hours a day sometimes 14.
This worries me, especially if your doing this everyday
Mike1:
@OVLOV JAY
Im not a troll, it was a simple question regarding a company’s responsibility. I just don’t understand how a company that must be worth millions can operate in such a bad way.
Can you quote where I called you a troll please? 
First three days 15hrs, trundle round nice and steady complying with all speed limits and weight restrictions, take at least one drop back. Next couple of days 13hrs doing the job exactly the same and take at least a couple of drops back. Won’t be long before they have you in for tea and biscuits and to assess why your doing the job ‘wrong’. Keep doing the job in the same way, even taking more drops back.
So much better than racing around like a scalded cat!
Mike1:
I just don’t understand how a company that must be worth millions can operate in such a bad way.
They’re not operating in a bad way, they’re just planning your route using incorrect software for the vehicle you drive, how you get to the drops and the time it takes is your responsibility and if inevitably it takes longer than their incorrect plan suggests then so be it.
I used to get it on Nisa, when being debriefed they’d ask why you’ve done x kms more than their plan, I used to reply with “because I’m in charge of driving the truck not you” or “show me the route you’ve planned me on and I’ll take it but if there’s a road closure I’ll sit there as long as it takes until it reopens because that’s ‘your’ route, alternatively treat me like a responsible driver who gets the job done and stop being a bunch of dicks”.
AndrewG:
They’ll operate this way to get every inch out of the driver but when it all goes ■■■■ up and you squash some puppies or worse…some kittens, they’ll deny saying anything of the sort and the blame will be on your shoulders…not theirs.
Just ignore what they say and go at your own pace, what doesnt get done in the day bring it back to the yard.
Stanley Knife:
First three days 15hrs, trundle round nice and steady complying with all speed limits and weight restrictions, take at least one drop back. Next couple of days 13hrs doing the job exactly the same and take at least a couple of drops back. Won’t be long before they have you in for tea and biscuits and to assess why your doing the job ‘wrong’. Keep doing the job in the same way, even taking more drops back.So much better than racing around like a scalded cat!
Mike, take the advice from the posts above…
Obviously it’s down to you to keep your nose clean law wise. That’s your part to play.
The company aren’t breaking rules by using dodgy planning software, but, if they start applying pressure on you as a result of their ■■■■ poor planning they will be. From the dvsa:-
"Scheduling and planning duties
Any operator of goods or passenger carrying vehicles should have a good system in place for scheduling drivers’ duties to take account of all the relevant drivers’ hours, working time and health and safety regulations.
**Planned journeys must be practical and must not jeopardise road safety.You should allow some time for general congestion on routes, especially around places where delays often occur.**You should also consider the limitations on the hours that the driver can work and take into account any known disruptions to traffic on highways, at ports, etc"
A lot of P&H’s deliveries will be within 7.5t limits that you have to enter to be able to make the deliveries, different matter if they’re using limited roads as short cuts.