I asked a similar question on the so-called professional drivers’ forum and got a series of stupid answers telling me I was a clueless newbie, etc. I’m posting this in search of authoritative answers from people who know what they’re talking about.
There are some tachos (mostly in trucks from about 2007-8) which, if you put them on break then turn the key in the ignition to, say, roll the window up or down, set the function back to work. The other day I stopped for a break and found out only when I’d finished that it had not recorded break, so I’d just wasted 45 minutes. This is a problem the regular driver would be aware of, but nobody bothered to tell me.
What do I do in this situation? Will the DVSA accept it if you just tell them the problem, and record it on the tacho print-out? (As it happens, I took another break, then got stuck in a queue behind a huge accident, resulting in the collection having to be called off.)
At the point of realising and the bit is AT THE POINT. Print off 2 copies fill the back of both with the reason, keep 1 for yourself and hand the other in at the end of your shift.
You’ll get an infringement saying you’ve done xyz but it’s just stating the obvious.
The only problem your going to get is if this is happening too often along with any other infringements you may pick up.
You just need to check what mode the VDU resets to when you touch the ignition etc.
We’ve almost all been there at some point.
I’m not having a go but it is the drivers responsibility to check the equipment (Tacho) is recording the correct activity.
Drivers should know that operating the ignition switch or moving the vehicle are things that can cause the mode to change automatically.
According to my understanding of it, any automatic change of mode (except to driving) is reversed if the driver selects another mode within 120 seconds. So all you needed to do was check the mode symbol after switching the ignition, then change it back to ‘bed’. The Tacho would then have recorded a continuous break.
Of course you know that now. You corrected it as you thought best and it turns out it wasn’t the best way of doing it. As already said, in any future situations where it is simply human error - print out at the time, details on the back, carry for 28 days and hand it in.
Exactly what brains came up with the way these digital tachos work? I haven’t had any that default to o/w but had a few that default to break and I keep forgetting! So if vosa claim it is the drivers responsibility to check the operation why aren’t they more standardised? Which activity do we do most when switching off the ignition… Break or work? With one of these tachos my morning duties go like this:
Tacho in
Other work mode
Fill in mileage, reg etc on time sheet
Switch ignition to stage 2 for checking oil level
Other work mode
Carry out checks
Drive to find trailer and stop next to it
Other work mode
Check trailer is loaded and brake on
Back on pin
Stop engine,
Change mode
Etc etc.
So is there some logic that i completely fail to understand for this kind of setup along with the 2 minutes driving time added each time you move, time reset after 45 minutes poa or 15min x 3 breaks, and the fact that the only infringement it warns you about is driving time and not duty time, wtd and daily driving time!!
The digital tachos aren’t ‘standardised’ for the same reason Volvo’s aren’t the same dash layout and buttons as a Mercedes. Different manufacturers. Both vehicles comply with the laws but in a different way.
The legislation the tacho manufacturers have to work to is laid down. There isn’t, as far as I can see a stipulation for what happens when keys are turned on or off. The legislation does however say that it must change to work immediately after a driving period, and that any change of mode within 120 seconds of that automatic change will count back to when the vehicle stopped. Other than that I can’t spot anything that mentions what happens with ignition on/off.
I am however absolutely sure that the functions can be programmed by a tacho calibration centre. it is also my opinion that a Stoneridge tacho can be set with the company card. So it seems it is up to drivers to request the tacho is setup in a realistic practical way.
It is worth remembering that some operators have their tachos set to go to ‘bed’ on stopping driving or ignition off so that they can ‘cheat’ their way through the working day by recording breaks here there and everywhere. But as far as I am aware a new tacho straight out of the box should go to ‘work’ as soon as drive stops and work as soon as the ignition is turned on (makes sense)
shep532:
But as far as I am aware a new tacho straight out of the box should go to ‘work’ as soon as drive stops and work as soon as the ignition is turned on (makes sense)
As long as you can turn it to position 2 to listen to the radio or operate the windows and ventilation without changing the function. But really, the norm is for the function to remain on rest as long as the vehicle isn’t moved. If a tacho behaves differently, a driver (especially a new or agency driver) should be warned.
IndigoJo:
As long as you can turn it to position 2 to listen to the radio or operate the windows and ventilation without changing the function. But really, the norm is for the function to remain on rest as long as the vehicle isn’t moved. If a tacho behaves differently, a driver (especially a new or agency driver) should be warned.
I suppose you may need to consider that the operator/manager/planner etc may never have driven the vehicle or know how the tachograph has been setup, just as they wouldn’t know how much oil was in it - they’d expect the driver to check.
The new driver should have been taught/instructed correctly and as an agency driver operating varied vehicles they should be even more observant.