I write down my stop/start times on a sheet of A4 (usually room on the bottom of manifest)
ie-
Card in 06.00 leave yard 06.25
Manchester(drop 1)10.15-10.45
Warrington(drop 2)11.10-11.30
Now I know I’ve done 4 hours 10 & I’ve got to stop for a minimum 15 WTD before 12.00(+ the 45, but it can all be taken together)
Burtonwood/rest 11.45-12.35
Now it starts again 4.5 hours driving in 6 hours( which ever comes 1st)
Yard/MK16.15.
Card out 16.45.
Total for the day =10hr 45min
Rest 50 mins
Driving 7hr 40min
Other work 1hr 45min
Here’s today’s work/times so far-
Thanks for the replies, I think I just need to get into a system and stick to it. I will try using the countdown timer on my phone tonight and see how it goes. Just starting my second week and I just feel that there is so much to remember 
Hopefully it will be starting to get easier now I know what to expect, try and stay on top of my driving times tonight.
I have just had a reduced weekly rest of 36 hours so am I correct in thinking that I need a 45 hr break before 6 days have elapsed 
First if all stick at it it seems you’re improving day by day and well done for not getting hacked off with your first mentor.
Regards hours
I used trucker timer on the iPhone and it’s great. Don’t need to change from driving to other work it works off gps above 1mph so it’s fairly accurate.
Also try to remember that the 4.5 drive is a maximum not a target. Get into the habit of parking up for your breaks with time to spare (generally I say 4 is the max and 30 mins to find somewhere to park) because especially at night that layby down the road will be full of sleeping drivers it take the stress out the job too
Thanks TipperTom
With regards to my first mentor I was able to take it on the chin because it was he who was the problem not me, what would me getting angry or upset over it have acheived? so I just carried on although I was quite pleased when they told me I was with someone else the next day 
I have been thinking about the run I have been doing and I think if I get to my first pick up and load, then taking 15 min break, by the time I go and tip and get back for load 2 I can get loaded and then take 30 minutes all in around 4 hours.
I will give it a go tonight.
Night Spirit:
I did however lose track of how much driving I had done since my last break at one point…it was a paper tacho and I didn’t know if I could open the draw to have a look? Is there an easy way of keeping track of the times? somebody mentioned an “Hour Guard” anybody know if they are any good?
My second load I managed to get into the loading area a little easier but did have to shunt.
Overall I really enjoyed the shift and looking forward to my next one.
Asked about this - I believe you should not be opening an analogue tacho during shift (unless swapping vehicle) - it will mark the tacho to show the unit was opened for which you ought to be making manual entry on the back to account for. Check the clock if swapping vehicles with analogue tachos too as they may be different which could affect your driving time (I’m told they are simple to change if needed).
TheMissus:
Night Spirit:
I did however lose track of how much driving I had done since my last break at one point…it was a paper tacho and I didn’t know if I could open the draw to have a look? Is there an easy way of keeping track of the times? somebody mentioned an “Hour Guard” anybody know if they are any good?
My second load I managed to get into the loading area a little easier but did have to shunt.
Overall I really enjoyed the shift and looking forward to my next one.
Asked about this - I believe you should not be opening an analogue tacho during shift (unless swapping vehicle) - it will mark the tacho to show the unit was opened for which you ought to be making manual entry on the back to account for. Check the clock if swapping vehicles with analogue tachos too as they may be different which could affect your driving time (I’m told they are simple to change if needed).
You are allowed to open the tacho head once to check your hours, that is based on having done it for years and had VOSA over my tachos and our tacho analyst looking at my tachos at the old firm for nearly 8 years.
Tipper Tom:
TheMissus:
Night Spirit:
I did however lose track of how much driving I had done since my last break at one point…it was a paper tacho and I didn’t know if I could open the draw to have a look? Is there an easy way of keeping track of the times? somebody mentioned an “Hour Guard” anybody know if they are any good?
My second load I managed to get into the loading area a little easier but did have to shunt.
Overall I really enjoyed the shift and looking forward to my next one.
Asked about this - I believe you should not be opening an analogue tacho during shift (unless swapping vehicle) - it will mark the tacho to show the unit was opened for which you ought to be making manual entry on the back to account for. Check the clock if swapping vehicles with analogue tachos too as they may be different which could affect your driving time (I’m told they are simple to change if needed).
You are allowed to open the tacho head once to check your hours, that is based on having done it for years and had VOSA over my tachos and our tacho analyst looking at my tachos at the old firm for nearly 8 years.
Legally you’re not supposed to withdraw a chart or a card without authority whilst still responsible for the vehicle, but who can give authority isn’t specified.
Having said that I doubt any VOSA bod would bother much as long as the chart/card was immediately put back in without the vehicle moving.
My post was more real world than word of law and in sure you’re correct (you tend to be 
) and as you say I can’t imagine even the most dickish of VOSA blokes doing anything about a driver noting on a chart that he wanted to check his time in order to remain legal. As long as there’s not a massive time gap or similar.
How do you have so much tacho knowledge? Are you ex VOSA or have you been driving since god was a boy?
Tipper Tom:
My post was more real world than word of law and in sure you’re correct (you tend to be ) and as you say I can’t imagine even the most dickish of VOSA blokes doing anything about a driver noting on a chart that he wanted to check his time in order to remain legal. As long as there’s not a massive time gap or similar.
How do you have so much tacho knowledge? Are you ex VOSA or have you been driving since god was a boy?
Ex VOSA … No!!!
Page 145 Enforcement Sanctions Policy
Tipper Tom:
You are allowed to open the tacho head once to check your hours, that is based on having done it for years and had VOSA over my tachos and our tacho analyst looking at my tachos at the old firm for nearly 8 years.
I’m happy to be corrected, to be fair the OH hasn’t had any analogues to deal with for a fair while. Is it true it marks the chart?
Day #4
Massive shock to the system today, started my shift and went in expecting to do the same run as Day #3, the one I had been trained on. I was told by the office bod that the tanker had been loaded by day shift and that I had to go and tip at a site I had not been trained on.
I thought there must be just a miss - understanding and explained that I was not trained on this site…“don’t get me bloody started was the response” I was given a quick drawing of the layout of the site and told another driver would be there to show me what to do.
Off I went arrived to find the place deserted!! eventually tipped and went back to the yard to be told I was now off to another site I had not been trained on given a drawing and sent off for a load and then back to the same tipping point.
Well…I managed but it was just that I was out of my comfort zone, the instructions I had been given were to pull onto the weigh bridge and reverse onto the loading area. That was a blind side reverse!!! 
Another driver turned up on my second run and helped me out.
My next worry is that I have messed up on my driving hours! finished driving at 01:10 went home to bed and then in for a CPC training course next day at 08:30, only had 7 hours 20 minutes between shifts 
Think im going to jail!!!
Yep Jail ! Definitely Jail & throw away the key ! Lol.
You have cocked up your driving hours/rest, but you are new to this Driving Lark & we all make mistakes, learn from them & don’t do it again !
You had better get used to going to different tips & customers, eventually you will have been there long enough to get to know most of them, but as Forest Gump’s Mum said-
Life is like a Box of Chocolates, you never know what your gonna get until you open the box (or read the Manifest for the day)
In this game, they only hold your hand for so long ! Then you’re on your own !
Yeah, I was meant to have my hand held for 6 days and they only held it for 2 
However saying that they obviously think I am capable of doing it if they have let me loose on my own. It is just leaving your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown…however at the end of my shift I was feeling quite pleased with myself
Just take your time & double check every process (I’ve never done Tankers, so can’t advise on them)
You won’t be as quick as the veterans yet, but you will get there eventually,
& don’t ■■■■ up with a tanker & leak your load into the drains, that could end up in Jail. Lol.
Good to see you are finding out early that “office man, he speak with forked tongue”. Just get used to turning up on time & getting the work, if you aren’t sure about the drop then ask, get it done as best you can, get back unscathed. Job done. Don’t forget to enjoy it all.
Night Spirit:
Yeah, I was meant to have my hand held for 6 days and they only held it for 2
However saying that they obviously think I am capable of doing it if they have let me loose on my own. It is just leaving your comfort zone and stepping into the unknown…however at the end of my shift I was feeling quite pleased with myself
Night Spirit im doing work for 3 different agencys and ive never had my hand held for a single day. I usualy turn up at a site and thrown a set of keys and a load of paperwork then pointed to a vehicle! And i do ADR Trunks for these companys!
But its great to see your learning your trade well and learning from your mistakes mate
Ive always said that you learn more in your 1st month of passing your test than you ever did in the months it took you to Pass Your Test!!
Good Luck Mate and enjoy your career…
TheMissus:
First day in any job can be a nightmare. Sounds like you coped overall though - you didn’t get anything badly wrong. Shame the first guy was lacking in patience but maybe he was just having a bad day. So pleased to see Day 2 went better.
This is my main worry - chopping and changing vehicles, each with their own sets of different buttons etc. I’m planning to start a bit of a list of each different truck with things to remember, perhaps even taking some phone pics to help jog memory etc.
Hope it continues to improve and get easier!
All trucks basically are the same of course. Just take an extra 10 or 15 minutes before leaving the yard to familiarise yourself with the controls. Pics are a good idea. Do a little research on gearboxes too - there is a jolly good thread on here about them by Rog I believe.
A tip. Some trucks need a lot more oomph on the brake pedal than others. DAFs tend to have keen brakes and yet I drove an almost new Actros the other week that required a very firm push to slow down at all. Be aware and it may stop you having an embarrassing shunt in the yard which will prevent you making a good first impression.
Above all, if in doubt ASK!
Truckulent:
All trucks basically are the same of course. Just take an extra 10 or 15 minutes before leaving the yard to familiarise yourself with the controls. Pics are a good idea. Do a little research on gearboxes too - there is a jolly good thread on here about them by Rog I believe.
A tip. Some trucks need a lot more oomph on the brake pedal than others. DAFs tend to have keen brakes and yet I drove an almost new Actros the other week that required a very firm push to slow down at all. Be aware and it may stop you having an embarrassing shunt in the yard which will prevent you making a good first impression.
Above all, if in doubt ASK!
Thanks, yep this is my thought. I’m always early for stuff so will ensure I have extra time to find my feet before being rushed out of the yard. I’ll watch the brakes as this is similar to bikes, my honda will stop with the least of pressure whereas my Kawasaki sometimes needs every ounce I’ve got!
Night Spirit are you working next week or having a (well earned) rest?
