Biscuits:
Went for an assessment last week and whilst signing the usual reams of declarations the assessor comes out with “…and now VOSA will not only do you for having a satnav in the window, but if they see that the sucker ring is within the swept area of the wipers they will do you for having had one there.” I think this is clearly a load of Jane Horrocks, anybody got any actual experience of this? Considering all the wagons I see with various mascots, football emblems, pennants, etc etc etc all cluttering up the window, and if I can see them then so can VOSA, it seems unlikely that VOSA are so concerned with a satnav unless it’s put somewhere really stupid (like right in front of your face).
Has this industry always been like this, so full of barrack room lawyers? When I was a motorbike courier I got randomly stopped by the Met traffic plod so many times we almost got on first name terms (the same for all the other riders). We knew what would be enforced because the enforcers would regularly tell us. In 6 years of having a HGV license I’ve never been stopped by VOSA, and I’ve met very few who have. But seems that the VOSA man is some kind of bogeyman for drivers, a mythical beast who will strip you of your wealth and license for the slightest of a whole bunch of unlikely and illogical infractions. What’s the truth of it?
And how is it with a Laptop,loaded with Software and GPS router connected?
thinking of buying such from Handtec.co.uk in Petersbourgh.
Pat Hasler:
The ‘sucker ring’ could be caused by anything, even a stick on note pad etc.
The law however in the UK actually prohibits having ANY screen device such as TV, etc within visual range of the driver and as a sat nav is such a device then tachnically it is ilegal but then every damm car driver needs booking also.
The specific offence is; ‘Television within sight of driver’ £30 non endorsable fixed penalty - sat-navs etc do not come under this
There is also a catch all offence of; ‘Use vehicle drivers’ vision obscured’ also a £30 NEFPN
Wiretwister:
Our outfit have a COMPANY policy of no satnavs so I wouldn’t be surprised if the assessor is explaining COMPANY policy but is personally embarrassed by it so shifts the blame to VOSA trying to save his embarrassment at being associated with such a COMPANY. Would the company be a 3 letter German outfit by chance?
Yes it is! And that does sound like the real reason.
Well, this is how I usually have mine. Not obstructing the road in front that much and down out of sight. Although it is within the area of the wipers.
i bought my first sat-nav when i was at TransAm, being left handed and driving a left ■■■■■■, it was tucked in the left hand corner on top of the dash where it joins the pillar post, stuck on the window right out of the way of the road.
Now in a right ■■■■■■ FH, it just sits on top of the ‘tray’ on top of the dash, it doesnt obscure my road vision at all, and the sucker is not stuck on the windscreen.
Anything mounted in front of the windscreen is not an MOT fail. Anything attatched to the windscreen can be considered for fail if it restricts drivers vision. Vosa had issues over this as RAC vans were fitted with a large computer screen in the dashboard which covered part of the windscreen. Like the one in this picture:
As the equiptment had been type approved it could not then be an MOT failure.
We have had a pg9 for a table blocking the view, if you want i can scan it and post it here.to prove it, ■■■■■■■ unbeleviable i know, vosa are getting well carried away with there own importance, pg9 put on, then lifted one minute later, whats the bloody point?
Wiretwister:
Our outfit have a COMPANY policy of no satnavs so I wouldn’t be surprised if the assessor is explaining COMPANY policy but is personally embarrassed by it so shifts the blame to VOSA trying to save his embarrassment at being associated with such a COMPANY. Would the company be a 3 letter German outfit by chance?
Yes it is! And that does sound like the real reason.
At the aforementioned big yellow company the trainers tell us the reason for the ban is because the sucker marks on the windscreen could encourage thieves to break in.
Hi, it illegal in france to have a satnav which idetifies speed cameras 11euro fines, plus drivers will now have to carry a breath tester for alcohol or another fine. happy days.
i was told by a vosa man testing a truck in seaforth that you can have a dash table in etc aslong as the truck had the front overhang mirror fitted as this rights off any blindspot caused
Saratoga:
Well, this is how I usually have mine. Not obstructing the road in front that much and down out of sight. Although it is within the area of the wipers.
Judging by the road atlas next to it I’d say you don’t trust the sat nav
I think this is disgusting, my wife who has a wooden leg and has the occasion to swoop legs one of which has a sucker on the end could mean I am prosecuted?
The sucker mark she leaves on the windscreen could very easily be misinterpreted for a sat-nav, I hope vosa are taken to European court for there blatant discriminatory act,
Saratoga:
Well, this is how I usually have mine. Not obstructing the road in front that much and down out of sight. Although it is within the area of the wipers.
If you went for an MOT test with the satnav like that then it would fail because you have an obstruction in what they call the ‘A’ zone of the windscreen which is an area 350mm wide centred on the middle of the steering wheel within the wiper area. Move the satnav over to the left by 175mm and you would have less of a problem, though there are rules about that area as well. So in theory VOSA should be following the same rules.
tallyman:
If you went for an MOT test with the satnav like that then it would fail
I disagree, that’s pretty much exactly where I have mine and it has passed the last two MOTs with it in place. It might technically be a fail but it seems the testers (where I go at least) exercise some discretion and common sense.
And that does sound like the real reason.
Outside the windscreen is ok then?
