pork_chop:
Alright ta mate. So taking a realistic example, I put my digicard in at 6am, do my walkaround, leave the yard at 6.30am, then hit traffic in London on and off from 8am through til 9am (so that between 8am and 9am I am on ‘driving’ for 30mins and ‘cross-hammers’ for 30mins). I then spend 20mins unloading at 9.30am through to 9.50am. Based on this I can drive for another 2 hours before I need to take a 45min break (so at 11.50am). (?)
That’s right.
06:00 to 06:30 = 30 minutes other work.
06:30 to 08:00 = 1.5 hr driving.
08:00 to 09:00 = 30 minutes driving + 30 minutes other work.
09:00 to 09:30 = 30 minutes driving.
09:30 to 09:50 = 20 minutes other work.
You’ve done 2.5 hours driving so have 2 hours driving time left before having to stop for a 45 minute break.
However, realistically unless you know the area well and are sure of getting to a particular parking place on time you would stop well before reaching 4.5 hours driving time, that applies especially to places like London where the traffic and red routes can cause problems finding somewhere to park.
tachograph:
pork_chop:
Alright ta mate. So taking a realistic example, I put my digicard in at 6am, do my walkaround, leave the yard at 6.30am, then hit traffic in London on and off from 8am through til 9am (so that between 8am and 9am I am on ‘driving’ for 30mins and ‘cross-hammers’ for 30mins). I then spend 20mins unloading at 9.30am through to 9.50am. Based on this I can drive for another 2 hours before I need to take a 45min break (so at 11.50am). (?)
That’s right.
06:00 to 06:30 = 30 minutes other work.
06:30 to 08:00 = 1.5 hr driving.
08:00 to 09:00 = 30 minutes driving + 30 minutes other work.
09:00 to 09:30 = 30 minutes driving.
09:30 to 09:50 = 20 minutes other work.
You’ve done 2.5 hours driving so have 2 hours driving time left before having to stop for a 45 minute break.
However, realistically unless you know the area well and are sure of getting to a particular parking place on time you would stop well before reaching 4.5 hours driving time, that applies especially to places like London where the traffic and red routes can cause problems finding somewhere to park.
Cheers for that, is a huge help. And from what you are saying even if I still hadn’t done 4.5 hours driving I’d have to take a break at midday anyway as I’d be up to 6 hours on duty and per European law have to take a break?
One more question, from reading the law it looks like there is a difference between ‘driving’, ‘on duty’, and ‘working’. Am I right?
pork_chop:
Cheers for that, is a huge help. And from what you are saying even if I still hadn’t done 4.5 hours driving I’d have to take a break at midday anyway as I’d be up to 6 hours on duty and per European law have to take a break?
That’s correct, legally you should not exceed 6 hours working time without a break, the break for the 6 hour rule can be just 15 minutes.
As driving breaks also count for the working time regulations and WTD breaks where appropriate count as driving breaks the 15 minute break for the 6 hour rule can also be used as the first part of a 45 minute driving break, that’s obviously assuming you’ve done some driving but less than 4.5 hours.
pork_chop:
One more question, from reading the law it looks like there is a difference between ‘driving’, ‘on duty’, and ‘working’. Am I right?
On Duty isn’t actually mentioned in the EU regulations though it is in the UK domestic regulations, anyway people generally refer to duty time as any time you’re at work.
As far as “Driving time” “Working time” and “Other work” is concerned, for the EU regulations:
- “Driving” is when the wheels are turning. (Driving is a mode that the tachograph automatically selects)
- “Other Work” is any work except driving. (Other work is a mode the tachograph can be set to)
- “Working Time” is only mentioned in the working time regulations not the drivers tachograph regulations and is all time that you are actually working, that equates to driving and other work. (Working Time is not a mode the tachograph can be set to)
tachograph:
pork_chop:
Cheers for that, is a huge help. And from what you are saying even if I still hadn’t done 4.5 hours driving I’d have to take a break at midday anyway as I’d be up to 6 hours on duty and per European law have to take a break?
That’s correct, legally you should not exceed 6 hours working time without a break, the break for the 6 hour rule can be just 15 minutes.
As driving breaks also count for the working time regulations and WTD breaks where appropriate count as driving breaks the 15 minute break for the 6 hour rule can also be used as the first part of a 45 minute driving break, that’s obviously assuming you’ve done some driving but less than 4.5 hours.
pork_chop:
One more question, from reading the law it looks like there is a difference between ‘driving’, ‘on duty’, and ‘working’. Am I right?
On Duty isn’t actually mentioned in the EU regulations though it is in the UK domestic regulations, anyway people generally refer to duty time as any time you’re at work.
As far as “Driving time” “Working time” and “Other work” is concerned, for the EU regulations:
- “Driving” is when the wheels are turning. (Driving is a mode that the tachograph automatically selects)
- “Other Work” is any work except driving. (Other work is a mode the tachograph can be set to)
- “Working Time” is only mentioned in the working time regulations not the drivers tachograph regulations and is all time that you are actually working, that equates to driving and other work. (Working Time is not a mode the tachograph can be set to)
Again, thanks loads for your help, is really appreciated.