I have just got a job as a multi drop milkman delivering to shops hotels and restaurants. History first, I passed my LGV test about 9 years ago through the fire brigade. Since the fire brigade is exempt from working regs and tracko’s what little knowledge I needed to pass the test has long since gone. I read some postings and the vosa leaflet and been left a little confused. Can any one help me with these questions?.
I work 6 days on, 2 days off and am starting work at 2.30am. I load up the wagon for 30 mins, then I am on the road. Sometimes, the round takes more than 6 hours, so I know that I need to take a 30 min break, or 2 x 15 min breaks, but what is the minimum time you can work between each break?
How long do I need to work (driving or other work) before I can take a break? I know you can’t take a break at the end of your shift but how long do you need to work after a rest break?
Milky Mike:
I passed my LGV test about 9 years ago through the fire brigade
Another commercial advanced driver - nice one
Milky Mike:
I work 6 days on, 2 days off
This can get interesting as there must be a weekly rest in every week
A week is Mon 0000 to sun 2400
A weekly rest that covers each side of sunday midnight can be in either week but not both.
There must be at least a 45 hour weekly rest every other week and a 24 hour weekly rest every week
Milky Mike:
starting work at 2.30am.
That puts you under the RT(WTD)R night time regs unless you have a COLLECTIVE workforce opt out in place
Milky Mike:
How long do I need to work (driving or other work) before I can take a break?
For the RT(WTD)R - 6 hours max - 15 min break required at or before that point
How much actual driving under EU regs do you do in a shift
I start about 2.30 am load which takes 30min to 45 min then start the round. The first 10- 20 drops are just drive to shop ect and drop the milk outside. but then there is a garage which doesn’t open to 6.30, so I stop there. Then carry on delivering. Get back to the yard, part reload for next round, sort paperwork ect and finish hopefully no later than 10.00am. So is that 7 1/2 hours driving and other work less 1/2 break a 7 hour day? Sundays are a small round hopefully should finish within 6 hours!!!
so 42 hour week?
So if start 2.30 am and load which may take 30mins but can’t start the round because the bread lorry hasn’t turned up (can be has late as 4.00 am) can I take a break then? Then drive / work for 6 hours before next break?
Milky Mike:
if start 2.30 am and load which may take 30mins but can’t start the round because the bread lorry hasn’t turned up (can be has late as 4.00 am) can I take a break then? Then drive / work for 6 hours before next break?
As long as you do some work (at least a minute), then you can take a break (15 mins at least) followed by a mix of driving/other work of 6 hours before another 15 min break needs to be taken for the RT(WTD)R
The EU tacho regs have the higher priority over the RT(WTD)R so if a driving time break is required then that must be taken
Breaks for the tacho and the RT(WTD)R can count for both but remember that if the tacho break is split then it must be at least 15 mins followed by at least 30 mins.
If you never get to 4.5 hours of actual driving in a shift then all you need to concentrate on are the breaks for the RT(WTD)R.
I am still assuming that you drive a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes that comes under the EU regs
Milky Mike:
but then there is a garage which doesn’t open to 6.30, so I stop there. Then carry on delivering.
So is that 7 1/2 hours driving and other work less 1/2 break a 7 hour day? Sundays are a small round hopefully should finish within 6 hours!!!
so 42 hour week?
So if start 2.30 am and load which may take 30mins but can’t start the round because the bread lorry hasn’t turned up (can be has late as 4.00 am) can I take a break then? Then drive / work for 6 hours before next break?
Don’t forget your break before 4.5hrs driving is 45 minutes and not 30. If you do split your break it can only be 15 + 30, no other combination is allowed
