First post on this forum so hi everyone.
Will some kind person give me chapter and verse on operating the tacho mode switch. i’ve spoken to a number of different drivers and they all seem to be doing something different. What are the exact rules?
Quite simply, leave it on “other work” the box with the line through it, then when you are on break, flick it over to the “rest” or “bed” symbol for the duration of your break then back to “other work”.
When the vehicle starts to move, the tacho will automatically begin to record driving regardless of what posistion the switch is.
Some drivers leave it on "rest or “bed” at all times, this is wrong, as all the tacho will record is driving and rest, things such as unloading, refueling, asking for directions etc etc any of these are classed as “other work” and should be recorded as so.
i could point out that the ‘Crossed Hammer’ symbol is not used in the UK so ignore it.
Gurner:
Quite simply, leave it on “other work” the box with the line through it, then when you are on break, flick it over to the “rest” or “bed” symbol for the duration of your break then back to “other work”.
When the vehicle starts to move, the tacho will automatically begin to record driving regardless of what posistion the switch is.Some drivers leave it on "rest or “bed” at all times, this is wrong, as all the tacho will record is driving and rest, things such as unloading, refueling, asking for directions etc etc any of these are classed as “other work” and should be recorded as so.
I have to disagree. He did ask for the exact rules. When driving (and that includes sitting in queues on the M25 etc) it should be on the steering wheel symbol (round circle with a X in it). For rests or breaks it should be on the bed symbol and for doing other work such as fuelling up or being in the back of the wagon with a pallet truck or whatever, it should be on other work (the box with the diagonal line through it).
I often forget to change the switch to rest for my breaks through the day and leave it on driving position by accident, but I’ve never had any tacho’s come back from those bodies that check them. Just don’t make a habit of it.
you are allowed by law to work, 9 hours four days and ten hours on two days of the week = 56 hours. my question is, do they include rest time and doing other work in the total hours allowed, or is the hours allowed ie 9 aday only for hours that you are driving the lorry. 
[/img]
The 9 and 10 hours are driving hours and doesn’t include breaks or other work.
Rob K:
When driving (and that includes sitting in queues on the M25 etc) it should be on the steering wheel symbol (round circle with a X in it).
Most modern tacho’s, mine included, don’t have the steering wheel symbol on them. They just have 3 options, square with diagonal line, bed and crossed hammers.
It is left on square most of the time, driving is recorded automatically, apart from when on a break or daily rest period when it is on bed.
Rob K:
Gurner:
Quite simply, leave it on “other work” the box with the line through it, then when you are on break, flick it over to the “rest” or “bed” symbol for the duration of your break then back to “other work”.
When the vehicle starts to move, the tacho will automatically begin to record driving regardless of what posistion the switch is.Some drivers leave it on "rest or “bed” at all times, this is wrong, as all the tacho will record is driving and rest, things such as unloading, refueling, asking for directions etc etc any of these are classed as “other work” and should be recorded as so.
I have to disagree. He did ask for the exact rules. When driving (and that includes sitting in queues on the M25 etc) it should be on the steering wheel symbol (round circle with a X in it). For rests or breaks it should be on the bed symbol and for doing other work such as fuelling up or being in the back of the wagon with a pallet truck or whatever, it should be on other work (the box with the diagonal line through it).
I often forget to change the switch to rest for my breaks through the day and leave it on driving position by accident, but I’ve never had any tacho’s come back from those bodies that check them. Just don’t make a habit of it.
How old is the tacho on your truck then rob?