Rules on Driver’s Hours and Tachographs
“Vehicles used for the carriage of goods by road and with a maximum permissible weight (including any trailer or semi-trailer) of over 3.5 tonnes are in scope of the EU rules. ‘Carriage by road’ is defined as any journey entirely or in part made on roads open to the public of a vehicle, laden or unladen, used for the carriage of passengers or goods.”
That means ANY vehicle or vehicle and trailer combination, including 4X4 ‘cars’ towing trailers, are subject to EU drivers’ hours rules if they are used for the carriage of goods for commercial purposes and have a total permissable weight of over 3.5 tonnes.
Any vehicle subject to EU drivers’ hours must have a tachograph fitted.
Any employed driver who regularly drives a vehicle which is covered by the EU driver’s hours rules is also likely to be subject to the compulsory working hours limits and record-keeping requirements of the Road Transport Directive, even when not driving vehicles under EU rules.
Posted under Keeping It Legal
Posted by Alec at 1:47 pm, March 31, 2008
if you are a small busines, do you also need an o- licence as well as a tacograph if you run a van between 3.5 and 7.5 tons
Yes, if you use a goods vehicle with a GVW of over 3500kg in connection with a business then you need and O Licence.
There’s a simple, brief explanation at http://www.tams-ltd.co.uk/o-licence-checklist/
Do I need a Tacograph for towing my trailer which is 3.5 tonnes gross towing weight for social domestic and pleasure
No, it’s only needed for the commercial carriage of goods or for hire & reward.
doi need a tacograph in my mini bus which is under 3.5 tonnes and is only used for school runs, taking children to and from school.
thank you
I know nothing about tacho rules for passenger vehicles. I know it depends on the number of seats and what the vehicle is used for – whether it’s used on a voluntary basis or for paying passengers.
The information you need will be in this document.
For “Harry”, only vehicles over 8 passenger seats require a tachograph, 8-16 seats will require one AND a D101 (full) licence and a COIF, if you are a taxi operator you can run 2 “minibuses” (9-16 seats) without a CPC/full O-licence)
Do i need a Tacho fitted for this combination.To be used for our own business use non payment or rental.
Trailer Gross Capacity 3500Kg
Load Capacity 2480Kg
Vehicle to go in trailer
SLS Kerb weight 1620Kg GVW 1935kg
Towing vehicle
Mercedes-Benz GL
Towing capacity 3500kg
I believe you would. The requirement for a tacho is triggered by the combination being used for the commercial carriage of goods. This includes anything carried for use by your own business, whether or not payment is received for the carriage. The only possible exemption I can think of which might apply depending on your circumstances is for equipment carried for the driver’s use within 50km of his base.
i am a self employed landscaper. i own an l200 pick up, which i regularly tow a 1.5t mini digger. how do i stand on this regulation? is it just a digi tacho required. tanks
We have a scaffold trailer, operating on a refinery. When it goes off the refinery does it need to have a taco in, it is 7.5 ton GVW. I was told that we dont need to put a tacho in within 50 miles of the operating depot.
hi, I work for a car main dealer, we are looking at running our own delivery service for new and used cars using one of our vehicles and trailer. Please can anyone advise on the best way to go about finding information regarding the supply-fitment of tacho’s?
Hi,do i need an o licence if i occasionally tow a trailer with an 3.5t van,i no i need a tachograph fitting,and my gross weight would be 5 tons,thanks.
As long as the unladen weight of the trailer is less than 1020kg then you won’t need an O licence.