…just what is their function in this ever-changing world?
Yes, I have just checked the DVSA website for the dictionary definition, but has anyone run into them at all please?
Not sure that was well-worded, don’t take that literally 
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos, weighing vehicles, Operator Licensing, Dangerous Goods transportation, Driver Licences & dCPC and Cabortage. They also prosecute in Magistrates Court if alleged offences go that far. They also perform Tacho Centre visits in much the same way as the VEs check MOT centres. Both types of examiner will be involved with ‘insecure loads’ and giving evidence in Courts (Magistrates, Crown, High and Coroners) and before the Traffic Commissioners at Public Inquiries.
geebee45:
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos,
Had a phone from a number not in my address book, but tbf I get a few calls like this, due to the nature of the work we sometimes do. So I answered “Hello, this is me, is that you?” not wanting to being rude, expecting the caller to introduce themselves… especially if they hold an official position as a civil servant…
And then being asked to identify myself really got my goat for some reason, so I declined to answer and asked who they were and what they wanted. As far as I’m concerned, if someone calls me in any kind of official capacity then they should be willing to explain a little about themselves and not just say that they are a Traffic Examiner. Guess I’ll just wait for a letter then…
Sumsmeister:
geebee45:
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos,Had a phone from a number not in my address book, but tbf I get a few calls like this, due to the nature of the work we sometimes do. So I answered “Hello, this is me, is that you?” not wanting to being rude, expecting the caller to introduce themselves… especially if they hold an official position as a civil servant…
And then being asked to identify myself really got my goat for some reason, so I declined to answer and asked who they were and what they wanted. As far as I’m concerned, if someone calls me in any kind of official capacity then they should be willing to explain a little about themselves and not just say that they are a Traffic Examiner. Guess I’ll just wait for a letter then…
If somebody calls me, and introduces themselves as" a traffic examiner", I’ll introduce myself as “an HGV Driver”.
I love unsolicited calls. I can practice my German, swear in Dutch,.self identify as a female, play absolutely dumb. Pretend to be hard of hearing (they love repeating themselves, repeatedly 
). I also like to turn the tables, ask them to confirm their identity.
Mind you, I can be an arse with genuine calls too.
My latest entertainment is talking to estate agents. I am in the market to buy a property, but not desperate. I love arguing about the price, explains that what they describe as “a charming period property needing some tlc to make your own for ever home”, is in fact a run down old hovel, needing a full rewire and plumbing, and is vastly overpriced. They are not enjoying my price negotiations, I go in low (very low, you ask to much, I offer to little…), and if they bite, but not accept, I’ll offer what I’m prepared to pay. If they try to haggle me up, I tell them I’m not interested anymore.
It’s great fun, and one of these days I’ll bag a bargain in the process.
Sumsmeister:
geebee45:
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos,Had a phone from a number not in my address book, but tbf I get a few calls like this, due to the nature of the work we sometimes do. So I answered “Hello, this is me, is that you?” not wanting to being rude, expecting the caller to introduce themselves… especially if they hold an official position as a civil servant…
And then being asked to identify myself really got my goat for some reason, so I declined to answer and asked who they were and what they wanted. As far as I’m concerned, if someone calls me in any kind of official capacity then they should be willing to explain a little about themselves and not just say that they are a Traffic Examiner. Guess I’ll just wait for a letter then…
Official position or not anyone who rings me has to be willing to identify themselves or it will be a very short phone call
drover:
Sumsmeister:
geebee45:
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos,Had a phone from a number not in my address book, but tbf I get a few calls like this, due to the nature of the work we sometimes do. So I answered “Hello, this is me, is that you?” not wanting to being rude, expecting the caller to introduce themselves… especially if they hold an official position as a civil servant…
And then being asked to identify myself really got my goat for some reason, so I declined to answer and asked who they were and what they wanted. As far as I’m concerned, if someone calls me in any kind of official capacity then they should be willing to explain a little about themselves and not just say that they are a Traffic Examiner. Guess I’ll just wait for a letter then…Official position or not anyone who rings me has to be willing to identify themselves or it will be a very short phone call
So would you be happy for someone to go into your details with a colleague or partner that picked up your phone? “Hello this is the STD clinic calling with your test results, is that you Mr Drover?” [emoji6]
stu675:
drover:
Sumsmeister:
geebee45:
Whilst the Vehicle Examiners are tasked with ensuring the vehicle/trailer complies with the legislation concerning Construction & Use. The Traffic Examiners cover all the other stuff; Drivers Hours & Tachos,Had a phone from a number not in my address book, but tbf I get a few calls like this, due to the nature of the work we sometimes do. So I answered “Hello, this is me, is that you?” not wanting to being rude, expecting the caller to introduce themselves… especially if they hold an official position as a civil servant…
And then being asked to identify myself really got my goat for some reason, so I declined to answer and asked who they were and what they wanted. As far as I’m concerned, if someone calls me in any kind of official capacity then they should be willing to explain a little about themselves and not just say that they are a Traffic Examiner. Guess I’ll just wait for a letter then…Official position or not anyone who rings me has to be willing to identify themselves or it will be a very short phone call
So would you be happy for someone to go into your details with a colleague or partner that picked up your phone? “Hello this is the STD clinic calling with your test results, is that you Mr Drover?” [emoji6]
You’re pregnant. 
I struggle to believe a real TE would ever phone a driver up, and I’d be sceptical if someone phoned me making such a claim, despite me knowing that the TC has it in his records and theoretically DVSA could get it from him if a TE wanted to say something about one of my drivers - it’s all too outlandish to be true
One of my drivers has been stopped twice since Xmas, he’s never said anything about a TE asking for his phone number.
I’d take it as a potential scam.
I have a spare mobile phone that I sometimes use to give a number for a specific reason. At least I know that my main number isn’t getting entered in any system or directory for more calls in the future. Spare mobile then gets switched off until the next time I need it.
Noremac:
At least I know that my main number isn’t getting entered in any system or directory for more calls in the future.
As soon as it’s issued it already is on a system and directory. If you don’t think anyone has your number because you’ve not told anyone it I don’t know what to say to you. Unless you got the SIM for your phone through dodgy means the government most definitely have your mobile number.
Conor:
Noremac:
At least I know that my main number isn’t getting entered in any system or directory for more calls in the future.As soon as it’s issued it already is on a system and directory. If you don’t think anyone has your number because you’ve not told anyone it I don’t know what to say to you. Unless you got the SIM for your phone through dodgy means the government most definitely have your mobile number.
Oh no, GCHQ must be on to me then. Right, I’m going on the run…
On a serious note, I can confirm that the government is not phoning me, so no issues to report there.
If you are an operator you can get a call from them for a site visit if a dvsa stop has pulled up something, had one, well 3 actually after a postponed visit & then a follow up on some items after the visit.
Zac_A:
I struggle to believe a real TE would ever phone a driver up, and I’d be sceptical if someone phoned me making such a claim, despite me knowing that the TC has it in his records and theoretically DVSA could get it from him if a TE wanted to say something about one of my drivers - it’s all too outlandish to be trueOne of my drivers has been stopped twice since Xmas, he’s never said anything about a TE asking for his phone number.
I’d take it as a potential scam.
I DID take it as a scam, but I got the letter and basically got told to produce my tacho card at a time and place not of my choosing, although I had the option of rearranging (and the threat of a fine if I don’t as it’s a Law). I’m agency and defo not busy (1-3 days a week), but with a full-time job starting mid-March. As there is one day booked this week I risked it for a biscuit and chucked the card in the post along with a return stamped envelope. No-brainer considering it’s £1.90 for stamps and just over £8 for fuel. And I had a textation (like a conversation but no talking…) with the TE today. The agency I work for discovered that one of the companies I did a few days for just before Christmas are not sending their records through…and the TE confirmed that was why they wanted my card.
I feel for the company a little as they were moving and were really pushed and we all make mistakes, as the Dalek said, crawling off the dustbin…
Sumsmeister:
I DID take it as a scam, but I got the letter and basically got told to produce my tacho card at a time and place not of my choosing, although I had the option of rearranging (and the threat of a fine if I don’t as it’s a Law).
Interesting, first time I’ve heard of that, useful to know
“Textation” Love it, I’m going to steal that, I’d vote for that to go in the OED asap.