As someone who temps, and therefore don’t necessarily drive every week, can I opt out of WTD at all, or rather how?
Am thinking that I usually go off and do alot of seasonal agricultural work at certain times of the year, when I would say be doing 100 hours/week for 3 or 4 weeks at a time, with no driving during that period.
As a temp driver only, albeit reg with several agencies, what defines whether i’m covered by WTD? Will I still be able to do that, and what would I need to do, e.g. would I need to formally end employment with the agencies for this period, and then restart when I get back? This sounds logical, but then I wonder what happens about 17/24 week average and whether this gets ‘reset’ when I technically cease being a driver for a month?
Sorry, this just dawned on me…
Anybody have any experience?
[Or alternatively is there a VOSA helpline where I could bash this out with them?] Edited to say 'ok, i’m a big girl, i’ll manage to find the phone number!
As long as the agricultural work doesn’t include any HGV driving then you’re not working to the WTD for mobile workers when you’re doing it, You only work to the WTD for (road transport) mobile workers when you’re employed on road transport, but for the record , no you can’t opt out of the WTD for mobile workers.
As far as the general WTD that would presumably cover none HGV driving agricultural work is concerned, yes you can opt out of it.
As far as the agencies are concerned, just tell them that you won’t be available for a while but you’d like to get back in touch when you’re ready to return to driving.
Talulah:
[Or alternatively is there a VOSA helpline where I could bash this out with them?] Edited to say 'ok, i’m a big girl, i’ll manage to find the phone number!
VOSA enquiry unit 01792 454318
Whether they can advise you on the non mobile workers WTD, I don’t know.