Do I need a Tachograph fitted

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

14 Comments so far

  1. jim w added on  October 2nd, 2008 at 6:47 pm

    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

  2. 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/

  3. C Swan added on  January 21st, 2009 at 2:58 pm

    Do I need a Tacograph for towing my trailer which is 3.5 tonnes gross towing weight for social domestic and pleasure

  4. No, it’s only needed for the commercial carriage of goods or for hire & reward.

  5. harry smith added on  May 29th, 2009 at 5:11 pm

    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

  6. Alec added on  May 29th, 2009 at 5:17 pm

    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.

  7. you know who... added on  June 29th, 2009 at 10:53 am

    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)

  8. Dale added on  June 16th, 2010 at 9:56 am

    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

  9. Alec added on  June 16th, 2010 at 10:42 am

    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.

  10. john cameron added on  July 4th, 2010 at 11:39 am

    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

  11. andy added on  July 7th, 2010 at 1:21 pm

    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.

  12. dale added on  August 2nd, 2010 at 4:20 pm

    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?

  13. james gale added on  September 6th, 2010 at 4:39 pm

    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.

  14. As long as the unladen weight of the trailer is less than 1020kg then you won’t need an O licence.

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