Professional Drivers Hours. PSV. PCV. HGV. LGV. White Van Man/Woman. Trailer Towing for Hire or Reward (none personal).
Driving 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. This is now December 2009, and some rules still change, thus pages change, and drivers hours conditions are changing yet again. We need to keep pace with professional drivers hours needs.
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 (or considerably more than a 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!
The Davey Drivers hours guard is 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 (see link at bottom of this page) and look for the hours guard link.
I suggest you print some of the 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
DRIVERS HOURS & TACHOGRAPH RULES for PASSENGER (PSV PCV) & (HGV LGV) GOODS VEHICLES in the UK and Europe (PROBABLY THE BEST PAGE VOSA HAS HAD FOR ALL DRIVERS (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 LINK ABOVE AS IT OFFERS GOOD FACILITIES AND EASY TO SEE INFORMATION, 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, NOR DO I BELIEVE IT TO HAVE CHANGED. I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE WEBMASTER OF THAT SITE AND ASKED HIM/HER WHY IT HAS BEEN REMOVED. IT WOULD BE INCUMBENT OF THEM TO REPLACE IT WITH A WARNING IF THE DATA HAD CHANGED. NO REPLY WAS EVER FORTHCOMING, WHAT A SURPRISE! HOWEVER THE LINK ABOVE THIS ONE IS NOW 100% RECOMMENDED AND IS THE BEST PAGE EVER FOR DRIVERS.
Operators information regards digital Tachographs. All the Smart Card info regards Digital Tachograph.
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.
Many of the below pages are also updated.
MOBILE WORKERS ON INLAND WATERWAYS
INLAND WATERS SMALL PASSENGER BOAT CODE
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. PLEASE NOTE THESE EU AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES WITHDRAW PAGES, CHANGE THEIR PAGE ADDRESS WITHOUT KNOWING OR CARING THAT AN ADDRESS IS AN ADDRESS. THEY CAN PUT A FORWARDING CONNECTION IF THE PAGE MOVES,,, BUT THAT'S RARE COS THEY DON'T CARE, SITTING IN AN OFFICE, UNTRAINED STAFF PAID CHEAP WAGES WHO THEN DON'T GIVE A DAM,, WHILE HIGHER UP SO CALLED EXECUTIVES RUN HIGH POWERED CARS AND HAVE WIVES WITH CHELSEA TRACTORS (4WD) RUNNING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND VISITING COFFEE SHOPS... ME! WELL i AM ON MY TROLLEY! AGAIN,, I'll WATCH THIS PAGE AND CHANGE IT IF IT DOESN'T RETURN PDQ!
APPLICATION ONLINE FOR EUROPEAN HEALTH INSURANCE CARD from the Department of Health. OR PHONE 08456 062 030 IF YOU PREFER.PLEASE NOTE THESE EU AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES WITHDRAW PAGES, CHANGE THEIR PAGE ADDRESS WITHOUT KNOWING OR CARING THAT AN ADDRESS IS AN ADDRESS. THEY CAN PUT A FORWARDING CONNECTION IF THE PAGE MOVES,,, BUT THATS RARE COS THEY DON'T CARE, SITTING IN AN OFFICE, UNTRAINED STAFF PAID CHEAP WAGES WHO THEN DON'T GIVE A DAM,, WHILE HIGHER UP SO CALLED EXECUTIVES RUN HIGH POWERED CARS AND HAVE WIVES WITH CHELSEA TRACTORS (4WD) RUNNING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND VISITING COFFEE SHOPS... ME! WELL i AM ON MY TROLLEY! AGAIN,, I'll WATCH THIS PAGE AND CHANGE IT IF IT DOESN'T RETURN PDQ!
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,, the above is a EU Region access point!) AND GOVERNMENT WEBSITES WITHDRAW PAGES, CHANGE THEIR PAGE ADDRESS WITHOUT KNOWING OR CARING THAT AN ADDRESS IS AN ADDRESS. THEY CAN PUT A FORWARDING CONNECTION IF THE PAGE MOVES,,, BUT THAT'S RARE COS THEY DON'T CARE, SITTING IN AN OFFICE, UNTRAINED STAFF PAID CHEAP WAGES WHO THEN DON'T GIVE A DAM,, WHILE HIGHER UP SO CALLED EXECUTIVES RUN HIGH POWERED CARS AND HAVE WIVES WITH CHELSEA TRACTORS (4WD) RUNNING KIDS TO SCHOOL AND VISITING COFFEE SHOPS... ME! WELL i AM ON MY TROLLY! AGAIN,, I'LL WATCH THIS PAGE AND CHANGE IT IF IT DOESN'T RETURN PDQ!
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'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!
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.
Railway Booking service for the UK. I suggest you select a railway station to collect your ticket/s from as this saves a £5.00 postal fee. Also you can reserve a seat when booking online. Please note,,, if you need to book a train use this link as the government department responsible for the link above this one has not updated the software allowing booking links to be made (AT LEAST FOR TRAINS). They have been informed, alas! they have not bothered to replace the link telling you it doesn't work,, it just fails to complete! I think its repaired and updated, but none of the so called cheap fares are obtainable vie this site now (July 2009) Use the below link.
BEST Railway Booking service for the UK. Dated July 2009 this was the only booking service that I was able to get cheap fares from,, the others above promised but did not deliver,, of course they have updated the site and I guess they need to make more money? So use this website for your train bookings, but book well ahead 3 months if possible great savings can be made. First class ticket posting is also free at the time of posting this text!
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.