Hello
I’ve just started work for a company via a agency driving a 7.5t, said company does’nt have facilitys for downloading driver cards, how do i get my digicard downloaded or do i let it over write the info when it’s full and is it a offence not to get it downloaded
TTFN
Midnight Rambler
Think as long as you make it avaliable thats all that matters if they don’t download it thats up to them.
Sounds a bit iffy having a company with digi-tacho vehicles & no way of downloading the info for their own records - can’t see Vostapo being too happy with that sort of set-up. As far as you’re concerned, the data isn’t over-written for 12 months so you’re covered. Incidentally, both agencies I work for have their own downloading kit (it’s not even that expensive) so if you are concerned ask your agency if they have.
mac12:
Think as long as you make it avaliable thats all that matters if they don’t download it thats up to them.
^^^^ that - the driver is then legal
I would make a note in a diary as to when and who you presented it to for download
tallyman:
Sounds a bit iffy having a company with digi-tacho vehicles & no way of downloading the info for their own records - can’t see Vostapo being too happy with that sort of set-up. As far as you’re concerned, the data isn’t over-written for 12 months so you’re covered. Incidentally, both agencies I work for have their own downloading kit (it’s not even that expensive) so if you are concerned ask your agency if they have.
There not a transport company as such but a manufacturing company with just one vehicle, so the transport does not appear to be a high priority, I even had to supply paper for the tacho myself as they had none available
Midnight Rambler:
tallyman:
Sounds a bit iffy having a company with digi-tacho vehicles & no way of downloading the info for their own records - can’t see Vostapo being too happy with that sort of set-up. As far as you’re concerned, the data isn’t over-written for 12 months so you’re covered. Incidentally, both agencies I work for have their own downloading kit (it’s not even that expensive) so if you are concerned ask your agency if they have.There not a transport company as such but a manufacturing company with just one vehicle, so the transport does not appear to be a high priority, I even had to supply paper for the tacho myself as they had none available
Your only legal requirement is to make the card available for download but the company (not the agency) has a legal obligation to download the card data at-least every 28 days, the best route for the company would probably be to use someone like Tachodisc for analysis, they only charge £1 per week and the only items the company would need would be a card reader (£10-£15 off fleebay) and an Internet connection, the Tachodisc software is then free to download.
Depending on the managers temperament you could do yourself some good by tactfully pointing out how they could comply with the card download regulations for a mere £1 per week, and I think they only have to pay that for weeks that the data is uploaded 
By the way, the data on the card is not over-written after 12 months, it’s over-written when the card memory chip is full, which could be anything from a few months to a year or more but around 9 to 12 months seems to be the norm.
I think I am right in saying that the company and not the driver is responsible for ensuring a supply of digiroll paper so if you bought some then present the receipt to the company for re-imbursement
Has the company adressed the issue of dcpc?
ROG:
Has the company adressed the issue of dcpc?
Not to sure about this, but as I work for an agency it’s up to the agency to supply drivers with the appropreiate certification.
the company i used to work for was in northern ireland. sometimes i could be over there a couple of times per month, but then it could be 2 or 3 months before i saw them. so the issue of having the card downloaded became an issue.
i spoke to a haulage company near birmingham that i’ve had dealings with for many years, they did the download for us now and again. the other option was to download it at an AS24 when i filled up with fuel, but i’m not sure this has caught on over here.
i would suggest looking locally for a small friendly haulage firm nearby, they may download it for you, then email the results to your firm.
Midnight Rambler:
ROG:
Has the company adressed the issue of dcpc?Not to sure about this, but as I work for an agency it’s up to the agency to supply drivers with the appropreiate certification.
Its the responsibility of driver, regardless of who you work for.
Does this company your driving for understand that you cant legally drive 24hours a day? Just interested thats all?
These kind of companies really are my favourites - from a business point of view. The ones with no transport manager and just one or two 7.5t vehicles are usually breaking lots of laws. it isn’t usually the drivers fault because they aren’t by trade drivers. They have a 7.5t licence by default from passing their car test and work in a factory or warehouse and occasionally get to drive.
Once I can ‘get in there’ I can usually sort out the DCPC for the drivers, tacho analysis, maintenance records and maybe to CPC training for the manager etc and for me it’s good business. This does ultimately benefit the drivers because they then stay legal.
I have come across companies like this that haven’t even been using a tacho because they thought that was just for HGVs - not their 7.5t! I sorted one where the drivers were working a reduced weekly rest every weekend due to factory shifts, one where drivers shared a tacho during the day because the manager thought the tacho represented the wagon - so they both drove on the same chart. A few that hire a 7.5t when needed - not even got digi cards so none used.
It is quite comical what goes on at the smaller places - hard to believe sometimes.
As already said. present your card for download, maybe as an extra keep a record of when and who to then don’t worry about it - not your problem.