Professional Drivers Hours (Driving Hours). PSV. PCV. HGV. LGV. White Van Man/Woman. Trailer Towing for Hire or Reward (none personal).
Driving Hours (a professional drivers hours) and Tachograph Rules for commercial drivers or long distance drivers, also the White Van Man, can be with complication. The government under EU rules strictly controls the hours drivers can be on duty and or at the wheel. These rules allow for domestic rules in some cases and exceptions in some cases. Digital Tachograph's have now entered the drivers cab and the old tacho is destined for that great bin.
This page was first placed here in 1996 and then 2000, it has changed over the years and it is now January 2011, and some rules still change, thus pages change, and drivers driving hours conditions are often on the change. We need to keep pace with professional drivers hours needs.
In 2011 roads have more and more accidents which hold up traffic and throw a drivers driving hours into shambles at times, what can a driver do, he or she want to stay legal and you must but there is latitude allowing you to get to safe place and your transport manager must help you here, and he or she must understand that while the job must be done the law must not be broken. VOSA are human beings and having a conversation with them is not a bad idea for your transport manager. He or she has a legal duty to see that you can do your job LEGALLY without causing a problem for any drivers driving hours.
If you are really unhappy about something you can call me and I will talk to VOSA and get some answers while you remain anonymous but you can do it yourself and call yourself Fred!" The point is you don't want to break any law, what driver does!
Downloads are now being placed on http://www.transportcafe.co.uk (this website) which allow you to get the latest information from Her Majesties Government websites. You can see also other downloads that are useful to allow you to get the information you require.
Professional Drivers certificate of Competency CPC information.
Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (Driver CPC) introduces a new Initial Qualification for drivers entering the lorry and bus industries, which they must complete in order to drive professionally. All professional / vocational bus, coach and lorry drivers must undertake periodic training in order to maintain their Driver CPC. Driver CPC - the Official DSA Guide for Professional Bus and Coach Drivers is available from the DSA Bookshop for about £10.00 .. Please see the link further down taking you to the government website where you can obtain all the details you need.
It can take hours for those requiring information, to find all the information that they need from the various agencies, which is why we have supplied all the information you could need in this one place. Even if you are putting in the right search words to reach your objective you can fail, again another reason for this important page. If you find that the information you require is not easily obtainable from this page or you find a dead link please e-mail the Webmaster AT VUNCE! (see front page).
On this page I have tried to assist by looking over the web and acquiring everything that I can find to assist you in your task. This includes the Highway Code to Medical information apart from work time directives or any other directive. I have more than ten years experience from this website alone and the mails I receive asking questions.
Such has been the volume of mails that on a bad day it has taken me 6 hours to answer all the mails or deal with them passing complicated ones on to the Expert. The Expert has become himself so busy that he is now unable to give the time.
So far we peak at 100,000 actual visitors arriving on these pages each month (and peaked at 2.5 million hits) dated March 2008, updated February 2010 so you can get an idea of the workload for one person,,,, Phewwwwwwwwww!! .
As a final resort, should you be in urgent need then a Traffic Commissioner can be e-mailed or telephoned in your region. The reason for keeping to your home region is to spread the task evenly over the UK rather than have one Traffic commissioner answering questions for all the uk, he or she would never get their daily duties done, so please use your regional office. You may find the office will not ask you for your name and address, or you may decline it if asked, or you can say its the proverbial " Fred". The important thing is that we don't break the law, and if you think you may have,,, you can correct the situation without fear. I do suggest using the phone to ask a question, as in my experience this department pays no attention to E Mails, they say they do but in practice they DUNA!
New rules for Coach drivers are (were and still might be) being considered dated May 2010 which combine the different lengths of coach's into one set of max 65mph speed restrictions.
New rules are also being considered dated May 2010 for 7500kg vehicles which at present can use the outside lane of motorways and travel up to 70mph. This MAY reduce to 60 MPH to the same as HGV's above 7500kg
The speeds limits proposals mentioned in the last two paragraphs are approximate and may equate to km.
The Davey Drivers hours guard was again available in April 2008 in its new format. Davey has spent many years on this subject and can be reasonably be considered an expert. You can see details on this device for keeping you legal on another page on this website. Please return to the front or home page and look for the hours guard link which is in position (about) 27 down the row of links on the left hand side of the page UPDATE OCTOBER 2011. The Drivers Hours Guard comes in three versions available to purchase via a link at the bottom of the aforementioned page.
I suggest you print some of the DRIVERS HOURS downloads and take them with you in your cab for reference on your nights away or square wheel periods on motorway accidents.
My wish for you is safe driving, remember someone loves you, Mums, dads, wives, children, girlfriend, close family, also others on the road have someone loving them. Take care for everyone's sake and your own!
Links to Her Majesties Government & EU Commission Websites where printable downloads can be obtained
READ ME IMPORTANT!
EACH LINK OPENS A NEW WINDOW
WHEN YOU HAVE EXPLORED THE LINK
CLOSE THE PAGE DOWN
YOU WILL THEN FIND THIS LINKS PAGE READY FOR YOU TO EXPLORE THE OTHER LINKS
DRIVERS HOURS (see VAN DRIVERS HOURS below the next three links)
DRIVERS HOURS & TACHOGRAPH RULES PRINTABLE DOWNLOADS for PASSENGER (PSV PCV) & (HGV LGV) GOODS VEHICLES in the UK and Europe (PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST PAGE VOSA HAS HAD FOR ALL DRIVERS). (GOOD Printable downloads)
DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE THESE NEW PAGES/LINKS DOWN WHEN FINISHED!
DRIVERS HOURS & TACHOGRAPH RULES (TRY THE ABOVE LINK FIRST FOR VOSA DRIVERS HOURS DOWNLOADS) INFORMATION ON THE BUSINESS WEBSITE for PASSENGER (PSV PCV) & (HGV LGV) GOODS VEHICLES in the UK and Europe (GOOD Printable downloads)
DON'T FORGET TO CLOSE THESE NEW PAGES/LINKS DOWN WHEN FINISHED!
DOWNLOAD OF the new RULES that started on APRIL 11TH 2007. You can print this document out and take it in your cab, I DO NOW ADVISE THE TOP VOSA LINK AS IT OFFERS GOOD FACILITIES AND EASY TO SEE INFORMATION AND PRINTABLE DOWNLOADS. its well laid out and easy to appreciate. Please note that this doc is a copy of that shown on the governments website,,, but that doc has been removed. It was a 100% correct copy from that site on March 15th 2007, AND INTO MAY 2008,,, updated October 2009 which is your correct and authoritative source. I AM NOT AWARE THAT THIS INFORMATION HAS CHANGED.
Operators information regards digital Tachographs. All the Smart Card info regards Digital Tachograph.
WVM Van drivers hours for under 3.5 tons IN THE UK ARE CONTROLLED BY THE WORK TIME DIRECTIVE which requires all van drivers to obey the GB Domestic Drivers Hours Rules & Health & Safety Executive Rules regards drivers of vans.
You don't have to keep records BUT BUT BUT if you don't and have an accident you will be questioned.
The police may go to great lengths checking traffic cameras you would have passed through on that day or any other day.
You CAN'T TELL PORK PIES they will find out and you are in the great Pooh Pooh!
You should drive for a maximum of ten hours per day and work for a maximum of eleven hours.
You should take your breaks in your daily driving hours as per GB Domestic (none EU) HGV driver.
You should take your rest periods and time off as per a Domestic HGV driver.
If you do keep a log book record it will assist you greatly if you have an accident, in that it will show you care!
ALL DRIVERS ARE ALSO CONTROLED BY THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE WHICH REQUIRE REGULAR BREAKS FOR VAN DRIVERS, THESE ARE 15/20 MINS EVERY 2 HOURS AT LEAST (NOTE AT LEAST).
The documents available for download after this section ALSO cover the legal requirements for ALL employers. They must NOT require YOU to undertake tasks that would cause you to break the law. They MUST responsibly plan your daily van rounds and be competent to do so. IF THEY DONT AND YOU HAVE AN ACCIDENT CAUSING DEATH THEY MAY BE SENT TO PRISON, SIMPLY SPEAKING IF THEY HAVE NOT COMPLIED IT IS A NEAR DEAD CERT THEY WOULD BE SENT TO PRISON,,,, UNABLE PAY THE MORTGAGE THEY MAY LOOSE THEIR HOME,, THEIR JOB,,, AND HAVE SERIOUS FAMILY PROBLEMS. ALL THIS IS A REPEAT OF OTHER TEXT ON THIS PAGE BUT I HAVE SAID IT AGAIN.
Just remember the trouble comes for an under 3.5 ton van driver if he or she has an accident, especially a serious accident. Please take this seriously. If your hours have not been considerate as per above you can consider yourself in that great bucket of Pooh! Right up to your neck, thick, thin or any other shape,,,,,,,,,, and here is the crunchy bit,,,,,,,,,,, you can end up in jail for YEARS with free bed and breakfast and overnight stays plus all day,,, all free! no need to be concerned about where to park for years, all that hard worry has been removed from your shoulders,,, but you may well have to keep a sharp lookout in your MIRROR!
The law says you must have adequate rest,, and that really means like an HGV driver,,,,,,,,,,, ignore this at your peril,,, and also your employer and directors who may be deemed complicit in manslaughter if you kill someone,,, and proper supervision was not administered over you or you were given too much work to do in your hours,, you could all go to the slammer together,,, I joke not! BEWARE!
On a lighter matter be aware if you drive a commercial van of over 2 tons you are limited in speed on all A Class roads to 50MPH (NOT 60MPH), so if you are caught doing 65 in a 60 area you have committed a bad speeding offence (15 MPH over the limit). I have clocked a few speed detection vans travelling at 60MPH plus,,, they obviously feel safe from cameras! You aint!
I know you fellows have a hard job, most people don't have a clue how hard it is,, more drops than Santa and all that! I did it long before you did,, and it was hard, even then,, also get hands free for your mobile phone if you must use it, use the facility legally,, it really is a KILLER if you dont, if anyone reading wants to add their sad story to convince other drivers not to read delivery sheets or use a phone while driving,,, Write me,, NOW! Office then spaced with the usual at symbol followed by transportmail then a co and uk ending.
Be aware that if you are pulling a trailer that takes the vehicle gross train weight to over 3.5 tonnes, you will then need a tachograph and be subject to more stringent restrictions on your driving hours, including detailed record keeping. You should also look at your licence because you may not be qualified to drive with a TRAILER. If you don't and are stopped by the police then you are driving without a licence and subject to the serious results of so doing,,, Oh dear! If your boss asks you to hook up the trailer tell him or her if you don't have a licence, in truth he/she is also responsible for checking you have one,, and to do so visually,,, so you would both be in that great Pooh! No Escape. Don't say you didn't know! they have heard it all before.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PROVIDED AS A RESULT OF MANY VAN DRIVERS FINDING THEMSELVES BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE. The following links to downloads contain data supporting the above but writen by HMG and scattered about in different places making it more than difficult for the WVM (and woman) to find. However if you go through these downloads just below you will find sections where it says you should keep best practice and have AT LEAST 15 mins break avery 2 hours in 6 hours of driving. The work time directive for mobile workers is also there. So here we go these are the links, download them if you can and print them out. BOTH YOU AND YOUR BOSS MUST READ THEM ALL ALL ALL ALL ALL!
HEALTH & SAFETY DOCUMENT VAN DRIVERS HOURS
SAFE VAN DRIVERS HOURS
EFFICIENT VANS
VAN DRIVERS INFORMATION
FUEL GUIDE FOR EFFICIENT VANS
END OF SPECIAL VAN DRIVERS SECTION. OTHER PARTS OF THIS PAGE MAY STILL APPLY
WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE TO BREAK DRIVERS HOURS RULES
What happens if you have to break EU drivers' hours rules due to unforeseen events
You can break the European Union (EU) drivers' hours rules if it is necessary to reach a suitable stopping place to ensure the safety of people, your vehicle or its load - provided road safety is not put at risk. Don't forget to have your full rest periods/breaks after an over run.
Examples of when this might happen could include:
Driving a goods vehicle carrying an abnormal load, being under instructions given by a police escort.
Delays to your journey caused by severe weather, road traffic accidents or other events that are likely to cause danger to the life or health of people or animals.
You must note all the reasons for breaking EU rules on the back of your tachograph record sheet - if you are using an analogue tachograph - or on a printout or temporary sheet if you are using a digital tachograph. This must be done as soon as you reach a suitable stopping place.
If there are repeated and regular breaches, enforcement officers may well think quite reasonably that an operator is not organising work so drivers can follow the rules. Beware VOSA are not silly but they are fair. Operators beware,,,,,,,,,,, you are legally liable also, drivers could blow the whistle on you and get protection from VOSA, so be warned keep your drivers legal or they might Dob You deservingly in it!
UPDATES
Professional Drivers certificate of Competency CPC information. this will take you to the route page for CPC information concerning Coach Drivers and HGV drivers. IT IS WORTH MENTIONING THAT YOU SHOULD CLAIM ANY COSTS HERE AGAINST TAX UNLESS YOUR COMPANY PAYS FOR ALL THE COSTS AND EXPENSES YOU INCUR. After all it may be possible for drivers to use the same book,, unless the law says otherwise,, if you all don't have to take the test at the same time, which would seem logically unlikely,, but check this out,, 3 or 4 books might be enough for 10 or 20 drivers,, its worth looking into if you!
This covers drivers and companies who break the law with regards to breaches of drivers hours rules This should cover the subject regarding whistle blowing facilities. It means any driver or worker involved in having to break the law can approach a Traffic Commissioner in confidence and get protected by gathering evidence against the offender. There is job protection involved in this facility. First a phone call to a Traffic commissioner in anon status to find out all current rules. Withholding your number is not uncommon in the first instance.
TOWING TRAILERS and do you need a Tachograph. (Printable downloads) This is a very good page with much of the text linked so be aware and use your curser to hover over the item or questions you are reading. Remember that working with a 50km radius you can be exempt depending on what you do so look at the exceptions in the EU drivers hours. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THIS PAGE IS ARCHIVED BY HMG CIVIL SERVANTS BECAUSE OF A NEW GOVERNMENT ,,, BUT NO DIRECT OR REAL REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE AND THE LAW HAS NOT YET BEEN CHANGED DATED JANUARY 10TH 2011
Many of the below pages are also updated.
ALL Driving and motorcycle instructors information
INLAND WATERS SMALL PASSENGER BOAT CODE
MORE ABOUT WORKERS ON INLAND WATERWAYS
INLAND WATERWAYS & BOATMASTERS LICENCE
HEALTH INSURANCE COVER AND ADVICE IF YOU ARE TRAVELLING ABROAD.
Information on Travel from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office for EUROPE & GLOBAL
Information on HEALTH REQUIREMENTS if you Travel. NHS page.
Information on Health cover from each different country of our Continental neighbours. GOVERNMENT WEBSITES HAVE IMPROVED FROM 2009 AND THEY NOW SEEM NOT TO REMOVE A PAGE ADDRESS WITHOUT FORWARDING INFORMATION, THIS MEANS THIS LINK SHOULD WORK 99.9 PER CENT OF THE TIME. I WILL WATCH THIS PAGE AND CORRECT THE LINK IF IT DOES CHANGE.
GET YOUR APPLICATION ONLINE FOR EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD from the Department of Health. OR PHONE 08456 062 030 IF YOU PREFER.PLEASE NOTE THESE EU (this is a UK access point,,) GOVERNMENT WEBSITES HAVE IMPROVED FROM 2009 AND THEY NOW SEEM NOT TO REMOVE A PAGE ADDRESS WITHOUT FORWARDING INFORMATION, THIS MEANS THIS LINK SHOULD WORK 99.9 PER CENT OF THE TIME. I WILL WATCH THIS PAGE AND CORRECT THE LINK IF IT DOES CHANGE.
Information on Travel if you find yourself in difficulty from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office
VOSA MANUALS regarding Drivers' Hours and Tachograph Rules from the Traffic Commissioners
You can download these and print them yourself or contact VOSA for a manual free of charge. These are a must for Transport Managers and Drivers.
DIGITAL TACHOGRAPH OR DRIVER SMART CARDS RENEWAL OR APPLICATION FORM
There are two forms that can be used to apply for A DRIVERS DIGITAL TACHOGRAPH OR SMART CARD Renewal or first time application.
Form D777B (active download link) for original or renewal of a drivers digital tachograph card, also known as a Smart Card
Form D786B
The DVLA will accept either form and I have supplied a download link here for the D777B form so print it out fill it in and send it off.
DO NOT SEND YOUR CURRENT CARD AWAY, YOU NEED IT, AND YOU MUST KEEP IT ,,,WITH YOU,,, FOR 28 DAYS AFTER THE NEW CARD STARTS IN CASE VOSA OR THE Police ask for it (did you see that nice VOSA lady on TV),,,
Digital Tachograph's for Passenger Vehicles in the UK and Europe.
VOSA Links page where you can get all information for vehicle testing, rules, regulations, E Mail addresses, phone numbers. You can phone and ask drivers hours questions.
Operators Licence for Lorries & Coaches, Specialist Loads information. PLUS as follows,,, Operating Abroad, International Trade, Vehicle Tests. Applying for a Van operating Licence information, Dangerous Goods Transportation and more!
THE HIGHWAY CODE for the United Kingdom, Great Britain. For those outside the UK (and quite a few inside|) who think the Highway Code is not obligatory or need not be adhered to, you are wrong! The police can make various charges against you for failure to comply, so treat it as to be obeyed or else!
DRIVERS MEDICAL INFORMATION SECTION. VARIOUS LINKS TO VARIOUS PAGES COLLECTED HERE!
Professional Drivers Medical Information This Government page has many links to informative pages on this subject.
HGV or LGV DRIVERS LICENCE Large goods vehicles and Passenger vehicles licence information. PLEASE NOTE. The term HGV & LGV can mean different things to different government departments. One department uses the term LGV to mean large goods vehicle, which means a 44 toner or HGV as we all know it. I regret that another department uses, did use, still at times does use dated 2009, the term LGV to mean over 3.5 tons and up to 7.5 tones. This however may have changed as I write this. In 2009 different government departments still have some confusion depending on whom you talk to or what you read. Please be aware of this when reading any government information,,, I know its a pain! But life is like that,,, to make this even nicer! Each government office knows about the mess up between them,,, and each is or was waiting for the other to change! This is where public servants dont serve the public only themselves. If the cap fits wear it!
Medical Practitioners guide to a Drivers Medical condition for driving. A PDF downloadable book for computer use or printing out.
All and any UK drivers information page regards licence data. This is a general page for all drivers, professional or otherwise.
BUYING A NEW CAR ... Domestic private cars MPG ,,
all the technical data you could need.
UK Government data on all private cars being sold For example what do they do to the gallon,,, one medium car does 74.3MPG on a run,,, can you afford not to afford it!
European Information - Book your travel ticket road rail air sea - Highway code information uk.
European Commission UK Representation Office Transport & Energy All types of Energy & Transport in the EU region many links from Canal boats to HGV and Satellites in Orbit.
European Commission (actual Office) This is the Main EU website home page with links to transport and everything else. I suggest if its transport information you seek that you try both this and the above link ALSO!
European Commission Lisbon Treaty THe Lisbon Treaty can be found here but,,,,, The above link is the Main EU website home page with links to transport and everything else. I suggest if its transport information you seek that you try both this and the above link ALSO!
Public Transport Booking Service for the UK This website once worked well for me, it is however easy to follow. Go by coach, Train, or Fly, and from my experience using this site all the discounts are available,,, but remember I cannot cover it all 100%, this was just my experience. Note! when you start your search for transport,,,, click the little COST button first.
BEST ONLINE RAILWAY BOOKING SITE IN JUNE 2011 Railway Booking service for the UK. I suggest you select a railway station to collect your ticket/s from as this saves POUNDS AND IS FREE. Whilst this site starts at default as if its ONLY one person booking,,,, you do get the chance to change this as you proceed,,, you can select any discounts like SENIORS or STUDENT and how many of each,, its a back to front way and ok if you are aware you can change the numbers later on,, but if your new to the site and we can all be new because these sites change their presentation which is to the disadvantage of the customer,, (what's new :) :) :)) its off putting and may cause you to go elsewhere for your ticket. --- ANOTHER MATTER TO NOTE AND IMPORTANT is that to select collecting your ticket from the station before you travel it does more than suggest you cant do this except on the day ot travel,,, in FACT if you read the small print info link you can really collect the ticket anytime 2 hours after booking, the 2 hour gap will be to ensure the system has time to install your booking. (IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN SO,, SO FEAR NOT ) I always collect mine days before to be sure I have them and all is ok. I WONDER WHY!
All this said this east coast is and has been generally the best online service which as explained can be improved with good English (grammar) and allowing you to select the number of seats you require AND for whom and if with rail cards,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, FIRST.
SOUTHERN RAILWAY BOOKING SERVICE DATED JUNE 2011
SPEED CAMERA LOCATIONS.
Fixed & Mobile Speed Camera Locations in the UK. UPDATED DECEMBER 16th 2009 Where will they be tomorrow or next week? Find out here! click the map when you arrive on the page.
Mobile Phones & Mobile Ham Radio from your Vehicle (The Law).
The Radio Society of Great Britain made representations to HMG whilst this legislation was being formed. AS a result Ham Radio is exempt and can be operated whilst driving,, as it always has been,, but,, it is subject the law as it has always been applied. Responsible operation is required, for example your hands must be free and on the steering wheel when negotiating a roundabout,, or any other movements that a police officer would expect a driver to have full vehicle control. I will update this when I have more information. Other users like CB Radio have the same special consideration.
The booklet on this (the above link) can be obtained from this link for a few pounds. The Statutory Instrument No. 2695 can be viewed at:
The Road Vehicles (Construction and Use) (Amendment) (No.4) Regulations 2003 Statutory Instrument 2003 No 2695. this lays out clearly the exemptions under the new law. This Law applies to CB Radio, and other hand held radios used in vehicles. Please read the Statutory Instrument in this regard,, my word on this or any other person means nothing, as it is my appreciation of the law, which may be incorrect, even if I believe it to be correct, Got That! Just trying to be accurate.