shep532:
Here’s a great idea. How about get to work, put your card in as soon as you take over the vehicle and then record how long it actually takes you to check your vehicle?
I can’t believe the stupid question or some of the stupid responses.
And what exactly is so stupid about the question? Seemed perfectly legit to me. And everyone else’s response’s for that matter. This response is what is wrong with forums. Every “expert” has a platform to ridicule someone for asking a question. OP didn’t know if it was a legal time or if just his company so he asked on a forum. How does that make it stupid? That is what forums are for. I can understand why he wouldnt trust a TM 100%. Plus did you ever think that maybe he was doing his checks in half the companies requirement and was wondering if he was doing it too quickly and missing stuff?
If he only does 6 minutes,gets pulled up for it and says “shep532 on trucknet said I only need to record how long it actually takes and it was stupid of me to ask what is an industry accepted time” im guessing that wont cut a lot of ice with anyone. Are you going to take the fall for him since you have insulted him for asking about something he didn’t know?
I always put my card in first. Before ANYTHING else. Others say they do a walk-round first then back time the start time when they put their card in(and to be fair this is probably a better way in case of a VOR defect). Some guys take 15 minutes,some take 10,some trampers only take 3. And there is nothing wrong with any of that. As long as driver is satisfied the vehicle is safe.
shep532:
get to work, put your card in as soon as you take over the vehicle and then record how long it actually takes you to check your vehicle?
Plus Im not seeing how this answer is actually any different from anyone elses. Apart from the dripping sarcasm from an expert know it all of course
I stick my card in and do my checks. It takes however long it takes and then I get going. Quite often it’s a newish tractor & fridge already coupled up on a bay. Walk around with the torch checking the tyres & body for damage, wheel nut markers, lights, coupling, look in the back to make sure everything is strapped/barred properly, check fluid levels on dash. 5 minute job. Obviously if I noticed one thing not right or I got thrown the keys to a wreck, i’d spend longer getting underneath etc. but I just use my judgement, like everyone does in the real world. The fact there are apparently drivers fannying about in canteens every morning seeing out there compulsory 10/15/20 minute period is barmy beyond belief.
I’m no hero and don’t rush about but 20 mins for vehicle checks 
A full vehicle check usually takes around 8 minutes and trailer connection about the same.
With the amount of trailer movements we do at our place the yard would grind to a halt if we spent 20 minutes checking a trailer over.
Conor:
Anyone who doesn’t do a proper walk round check at the start of a shift is a fool.
What brought it home to me was going on 15 years ago now. Parked up at Sara Lee on the night time, got to my wagon in the morning. Nobody else had it and like you I took the keys home. Doing my walk round check which you don’t see the point of doing I noticed a lump of tread missing from a drive axle tyre. When the tyre fitter came and removed it, the tread I had seen around this missing lump was actually the only tread on the tyre. All of it was missing barring about a 1ft square patch. And there had been no indication of a problem on the drive back to the yard the day before.
If I were some of you I’d not have bothered checking and would have gone out on that tyre and knowing my luck it would have been on the S bends at the bottom of Garrowby Hill where it decided to let you.
Did you not check the vehicle over before you err abandoned it on the night? Surely a driver of your capabilities would figure that a quick walk around check prior to leaving the vehicle might highlight potential problems and maybe save you a lot of bother in the morning?
Or did the tread “fall off” during the night?
I’m normally up well before my time is up. Get dressed, walk round check and have a pish. Then if my 9/11 hours is up out it on other work. If not have a coffee. Then make another. I once had as much as 7 minutes other work. Usually it’s less than 3.
No way do I put it on other work before checking for flat tyres. Flat means back to bed for a couple of hours them start and save spread over.
the maoster:
Conor:
Anyone who doesn’t do a proper walk round check at the start of a shift is a fool.
What brought it home to me was going on 15 years ago now. Parked up at Sara Lee on the night time, got to my wagon in the morning. Nobody else had it and like you I took the keys home. Doing my walk round check which you don’t see the point of doing I noticed a lump of tread missing from a drive axle tyre. When the tyre fitter came and removed it, the tread I had seen around this missing lump was actually the only tread on the tyre. All of it was missing barring about a 1ft square patch. And there had been no indication of a problem on the drive back to the yard the day before.
If I were some of you I’d not have bothered checking and would have gone out on that tyre and knowing my luck it would have been on the S bends at the bottom of Garrowby Hill where it decided to let you.
Did you not check the vehicle over before you err abandoned it on the night? Surely a driver of your capabilities would figure that a quick walk around check prior to leaving the vehicle might highlight potential problems and maybe save you a lot of bother in the morning?
Or did the tread “fall off” during the night?
I didn’t know conor needed tyres. I thought he was that good he was in fact God.
The-Snowman:
shep532:
Here’s a great idea. How about get to work, put your card in as soon as you take over the vehicle and then record how long it actually takes you to check your vehicle?
I can’t believe the stupid question or some of the stupid responses.
And what exactly is so stupid about the question? Seemed perfectly legit to me. And everyone else’s response’s for that matter. This response is what is wrong with forums. Every “expert” has a platform to ridicule someone for asking a question. OP didn’t know if it was a legal time or if just his company so he asked on a forum. How does that make it stupid? That is what forums are for. I can understand why he wouldnt trust a TM 100%. Plus did you ever think that maybe he was doing his checks in half the companies requirement and was wondering if he was doing it too quickly and missing stuff?
If he only does 6 minutes,gets pulled up for it and says “shep532 on trucknet said I only need to record how long it actually takes and it was stupid of me to ask what is an industry accepted time” im guessing that wont cut a lot of ice with anyone. Are you going to take the fall for him since you have insulted him for asking about something he didn’t know?
I always put my card in first. Before ANYTHING else. Others say they do a walk-round first then back time the start time when they put their card in(and to be fair this is probably a better way in case of a VOR defect). Some guys take 15 minutes,some take 10,some trampers only take 3. And there is nothing wrong with any of that. As long as driver is satisfied the vehicle is safe.
shep532:
get to work, put your card in as soon as you take over the vehicle and then record how long it actually takes you to check your vehicle?
Plus Im not seeing how this answer is actually any different from anyone elses. Apart from the dripping sarcasm from an expert know it all of course
Yep you’re right - I apologise 
I normally stay out of it but on this occasion …
I do have a slight defence/reason. I have been delivering DCPC today and had two in the group arguing this exact point that one of them had been fined £70 for only 12 minutes work at the start of the shift. It disrupted the whole morning and we just couldn’t seem to get moved on from it - they were spouting all kinds of crap then I sat down and read the first post on this thread and … I was wound up - sorry
You have to admit though - some of the replies on here aren’t exactly correct are they?
When i was at DHL was told the 20mins policy was brought in because of action by VOSA at one of their sites specifically on one contract, where the drivers where seen by VOSA stationed outside, starting a shift spending 15-30mins doing all their checks, having a coffee chat etc… then driving round to security hut, then putting their card in and driving off. Plus as well seen driving back in pulling card as soon as in the gates, then fueling up etc…
Thats why the 20min rule, they want you to start a shift manual entry to when you entered the site then show 20mins worth of checks on vehicle, load and do paperwork on the card before you leave. At the end of the shift, they want 20mins showing as well, thats kinda misunderstood cause it didnt mean as many thought sit in the truck for 20mins, just meant finish up give vehicle quick check over, lights, tyres etc… do paperwork, then leave, didnt have to show 20mins sitting, could spend 5-10mins, then add 10mins in a manual entry start of next shift to show time for handing in paperwork and leaving the site. As long as card showed, last bit of driving then 20mins of other work rather than just end of shift.
shep532:
You have to admit though - some of the replies on here aren’t exactly correct are they?
Ok I’ll admit that. Some of them have been a bit bizarre. And worrying 
Kenny1975:
When i was at DHL was told the 20mins policy was brought in because of action by VOSA at one of their sites specifically on one contract, where the drivers where seen by VOSA stationed outside, starting a shift spending 15-30mins doing all their checks, having a coffee chat etc… then driving round to security hut, then putting their card in and driving off. Plus as well seen driving back in pulling card as soon as in the gates, then fueling up etc…
Thats why the 20min rule, they want you to start a shift manual entry to when you entered the site then show 20mins worth of checks on vehicle, load and do paperwork on the card before you leave. At the end of the shift, they want 20mins showing as well, thats kinda misunderstood cause it didnt mean as many thought sit in the truck for 20mins, just meant finish up give vehicle quick check over, lights, tyres etc… do paperwork, then leave, didnt have to show 20mins sitting, could spend 5-10mins, then add 10mins in a manual entry start of next shift to show time for handing in paperwork and leaving the site. As long as card showed, last bit of driving then 20mins of other work rather than just end of shift.
Record exactly X on this and that. It looks as false as rod hull’s right arm. Some places do know how to complicate things.
Freight Dog:
Kenny1975:
When i was at DHL was told the 20mins policy was brought in because of action by VOSA at one of their sites specifically on one contract, where the drivers where seen by VOSA stationed outside, starting a shift spending 15-30mins doing all their checks, having a coffee chat etc… then driving round to security hut, then putting their card in and driving off. Plus as well seen driving back in pulling card as soon as in the gates, then fueling up etc…
Thats why the 20min rule, they want you to start a shift manual entry to when you entered the site then show 20mins worth of checks on vehicle, load and do paperwork on the card before you leave. At the end of the shift, they want 20mins showing as well, thats kinda misunderstood cause it didnt mean as many thought sit in the truck for 20mins, just meant finish up give vehicle quick check over, lights, tyres etc… do paperwork, then leave, didnt have to show 20mins sitting, could spend 5-10mins, then add 10mins in a manual entry start of next shift to show time for handing in paperwork and leaving the site. As long as card showed, last bit of driving then 20mins of other work rather than just end of shift.
Record exactly X on this and that. It looks as false as rod hull’s right arm. Some places do know how to complicate things.
Worse than that, did a shift at DHL run Sainsburys they ask a guy to move class 2 from ambient to chill, about 1/2 mile was told to put in digicard plus do his 20min lead in before moving it, then 20mins after he put it on the chill bay. Don’t know if they still do that was when they started the 20min thing.