keebs26uk:
I have had the infringemet sheets shown to me by my company and every month I seem to have about 3 I could of got fined for, so my guess is I’m still not fully understanding this
If I start work at 8:00am stick my card in and do both other work and only 2hours driving I always assumed I still had to take my 1st 45min break at 12:30pm that same day ?
I must admit I’m still not fully getting this, I do believe its because I and alot of others was ever trained on it
No that’s not correct.
Working time is any time other than driving, POA or break, driving time is when you’re sat at the controls of the vehicle and the wheels are turning, the 45 minute driving break is exclusively for driving time so you must not exceed 4.5 hours driving time before having a break of 45 minutes.
The driving break can be split into two parts, the first part must be no less than 15 minutes and the second part must be no less than 30 minutes, both parts of a split driving break must be taken in that order 15 minutes then 30 minutes not the other way round.
For the RT(WT)R you should have a break of at-least 15 minutes before exceeding 6 hours working time (6 hour rule), this break can also count as the first part of a split driving break.
If you start work at 08:00 you should have a 15 minute break no later than 14:00 (WTD 6 hour rule), you must have the 45 minute driving break before exceeding 4.5 hours driving time if you reach that before reaching 6 hours working time.
None of this explains why you’re getting infringements every month, when you’re given an infringement sheet to sign it should have the reason for the infringement on the paper you’re asked to sign, also your TM is supposed to make sure you know what the infringement is for.
If you don’t know what the infringements are for I strongly advise you to find out next time you get one, if you don’t know what you’re doing wrong you’re never going to be able to correct your working practices.
If you have questions about drivers hours / tachograph regulations or the working time regulations I suggest you ask in the Safety and Working Time Directive Forum.
Here’s a link to the Rules on Drivers Hours and Tachographs which may help.
HTH