GAYNEMORE Tachograph Chart Rules.

Tachograph Chart Rules - Charts and Records.

TO COMPLY WITH TACHOGRAPH CHART RULES, A DRIVERS RESPONSIBILITIES ARE......

Drivers are responsible for operating the tachograph correctly in order to record their activities accurately.
Drivers must:
* make sure the time is set correctly.
* carry enough charts for the entire journey, including some spare charts.
* use a second chart if a chart is damaged in use and attach them together at the end of the day.
* use the correct type of chart.
* do not use a chart to cover a period of more than 24 hours.
* enter centerfield details at the first use of chart, when changing vehicles and when completing the chart at the end of the day.
* correctly operate the mode switch to record their activities accurately.
* make manual entries on the chart to record their activities away from the vehicle.
* make manual entries when equipment fails and report failure to employer or operator.
* retain the current days tachograph chart plus previous 28 calendar days charts.
* return used charts to their employer or the operator within 42 days.
* allow an authorised examiner or police officer to examine charts and tachograph equipment.
* not remove the chart before the end of their duty period unless authorised to do so.
--- or to change a vehicle
--- or to make manual entries in the event of an emergency, equipment failure etc.
* be able to produce at the roadside
--- charts and any legally required manual records for the current day and the previous 28 calendar days, and
--- a drivers digital card if they hold one ( Even if they only drive analogue tachograph equiped vehicles ).
* not drive a digital tachograph equiped vehicle if they have never been issued with a digital drivers card.

CENTERFIELD ENTRIES.

A driver is required to enter the following information :
* surname and first name - not initials ( It doesn't matter which way round the names are, unless employer has a policy on this ).
* the date when the use of the chart begins and ends - both must be written, no ditto marks.
* the location where the use of the chart begins and ends - both must be written, no ditto marks.
* the registration number of vehicle first driven ( and of subsequent vehicles driven, in the correct place on the rear of the chart ).
* the time when any vehicle change takes place.
* the odometer readings
--- at the start of the first journey
--- at the end of the last journey, and
--- at the time of any vehicle change, recording the readings from both vehicles.
* in entering the required information the driver must not allow the written entries to interfere with any of the traces.
If the drivers name or the location name is too long then it can be abbreviated but the full name should be noted on the rear of the chart.

MANUAL ENTRIES.

Drivers must produce a record of their whole daily working period.
Which means a manual entry for :
--- start and end of day.
--- when working away from vehicle.
--- when recording equipment fails.
--- essentially any time between the manually entered start and finish times that is not covered by traces.

USE OF MODE SWITCH OR BUTTON.

Let's explode a myth here. There is no such thing as a fully automatic tachograph unit.
It cannot distinguish between work, periods of availability or rest/break - it needs telling by selecting the correct mode.
It only knows if the vehicle is moving or not, if the vehicle is moving it automatically records drive time.
So, which is the correct mode to select?
CROSSED HAMMERS - Covers all activities defined as work and for driving ( When the vehicle moves the driving time is automatically recorded ). Including any work for the same or another employer within or outside the transport sector.
RECTANGLE WITH DIAGONAL LINE - Covers periods of waiting time, the duration of which is known about in advance. For example, waiting for someone else to load/unload vehicle
BED - Covers breaks in work and daily or weekly rest periods. During a rest period a driver must be able to freely dispose of their time.

TRAVELLING TIME.

In cases where a vehicle is at a separate location that is neither the driver's home or the employer's operational center where the driver is normally based, the time the driver spends
travelling to or from that location may not be counted as a rest or break, unless the driver is on a ferry or train and has access to a bunk or couchette

RECORDING OTHER WORK - yard or warehouse duties for example.

Drivers must record all other work and periods of availability ( including work for other employers ) on all driving and non-driving days within a week where they have
undertaken driving duties since their last weekly rest.
For non-driving days the record may simply show drivers name, location, date and the start / finish times. These records must be carried in the vehicle by the driver so that they may
be produced to enforcement officers if requested.

DIGITAL TACHOGRAPHS.

Instructions for the correct use of a digital tachograph can be found here
Info about the digital tachograph cards required can be found here

PENALTIES FOR INFRINGEMENTS.

Just an idea of some of the penalties that can be levied :
Failure to observe driving time, break or rest period rules - fine up to £2,500.
Failure to use a tachograph - fine up to £5,000.
False entry or alteration with the intent to deceive - on summary conviction fine of £5,000, on indicment two years imprisonment.
There are others, but you can see it isn't worth it - just stick to the tachograph chart rules.

missed it!