I’m Adey, a new member to TruckNet and a newly qualified Class C Driver. I passed my module 3 test in October and passed the module 4 test this morning. i have had a few years previous experience delivering wholesale goods in the 3.5ton vans, and my employer has put me through passing to drive our various lorries.
at present the only training and information i have had is to pass the tests needed, but i have received no formal training regarding using a tachograph or EC rules and Domestic rules. i have downloaded the Vosa guide on drivers hours and tachographs from the government website, but admit to being a little confused. i understand the main rules regarding taking breaks and rests, driving hours in general but the intricate details are a little confusing. any help would be greatly appreciated.
for example, i would be expected to deliver goods around the south Devon and Cornwall areas. Generally, i believe that with the deliveries i would be making, i would not exceed 4.5 hours driving during my working shift. if i were to start my working day at 06:00AM and expect my working day to last approx 10 hours, what would my requirements be for breaks. would my thinking be correct in;
start at 6AM
6AM to 11:45AM (2 Hours Driving, 3:45 Other Work)
11:45 (15 Minute Break)
12PM to 2:45 (1 hour Driving, 1:45 Other Work)
2:45 to 3:15 30 Minute break
3:15 to 4PM Other Work
4PM end of Shift
my understanding is that i must take a 15 minute break within the first 6 duty hours and because i worked past 3PM i would need to take another 30 minutes to make 45 minutes total breaks due to working more than 9 hours. this would satisfy EC rules and UK domestic.
if i were to finish before 3PM would i only need to take 30 minutes break. could this be split into 2 x 15 minutes breaks?
Basiclly, it boils down to when you have the chance/want to take your breaks. If you aren’t getting close to your 4.5 hour EU reg limit then you can get away with just taking 15 minute breaks over the course of your day. What I would do, is keep in mind what you started then before 6 hours is up, take a 15. Once this is done make a note of the time and work for another 6. Before the second block of 6 hours is up, have a 30 minute break just in case you’re delayed a little getting back to the yard thus taking you over the 12 hour mark then you are covered as you’ve had your 45 minutes of required break. It would also reset the EU drive limit but that shouldn’t be an issue for you.
I would suggest get your employer to book you onto a Driver CPC course for drivers hours and tachographs. You can forget Domestic Rules … ou need to concentrate on EU Drivers Hours Rules and the Road Transport Working Time DIrective.
You are going to need to do 35 hours over the coming 5 years anyway so why not make a start.
If you get the right training provider t will really help. If you get the wrong training provider … you might have been as well just reading the books.
Adey.C:
start at 6AM
6AM to 11:45AM (2 Hours Driving, 3:45 Other Work)
11:45 (15 Minute Break)
12PM to 2:45 (1 hour Driving, 1:45 Other Work)
2:45 to 3:15 30 Minute break
3:15 to 4PM Other Work
4PM end of Shift
my understanding is that i must take a 15 minute break within the first 6 duty hours and because i worked past 3PM i would need to take another 30 minutes to make 45 minutes total breaks due to working more than 9 hours. this would satisfy EC rules and UK domestic.
if i were to finish before 3PM would i only need to take 30 minutes break. could this be split into 2 x 15 minutes breaks?
Almost got it but not quite = very good for a newbie
Breaks for working time are need for the total of driving time and other work time added together
This means that the extra 15 min break for going over 9 hours would be at 330pm because the 1 x 30 or 2 x 15s do not count as working time
6AM to 11:45AM (2 Hours Driving, 3:45 Other Work)
11:45 (15 Minute Break)
12PM to 2:45 (1 hour Driving, 1:45 Other Work)
2:45 to 3:00 15 Minute break
3:00 to 330PM Other Work
330PM end of Shift
That would be 9 hours of working time in a 9.5 hour shift needing a total of 30 mins of breaks which can be 2 x 15s
