GB Tachopak Ltd: Blog – Page 3 – Supplying Tachograph Stationery for over 35 years.

Proposed 90 day period for Tachograph Data Downloads

The Department for Transport planning to consult on tachograph data downloads…

According to “Commercial Motor” magazine website the UK Government want to extend the period allowed for Transport Operators to download Digital Tachograph data from 56 days to 90 days.

These proposed plans to extend the time required between tachograph data downloads is an effort to ease the regulatory burden on UK hauliers and operators and remove barriers for industry growth.

The current regulations state that operators must download tacho’ data from vehicle units at least every 56 days, but the government is proposing to increase this to 90 days.

The idea was proposed in a DfT Logistics Growth Review published last year, but was thought to have been originally suggested in the Red Tape Challenge earlier in 2011.

However, the Freight Transport Association said it wasn’t aware of members raising time limits as a problem.

For more information on storage, download and analysis of digital tachograph data and card readers please check out our free “Guide to Digital Tachographs” or visit or website.

Operators Licence Revoked – Unsafe Loading Practices

Reporting accidents is extremely important in the Transport Industry.

A car crusher / scrap car company recently had its O licence for nine trucks and nine trailers revoked, by the Scottish Traffic Commissioner. (STC) The company directors were disqualified for five years.

» Get Help with Compliance and Driver Regulations

The STC’s decision follows an incident when boxes of acid-filled batteries were shed from one of its trucks on the A96. The scrap car business, had been in trouble with the STC before as it was reported that police had previously stopped one of its timber lorries on the A9 in 2009. There was also a previous warning to directors about maintenance issues in 2007.

» Information about Accident Reports Forms and Kits for Transport Operators

CPC Training for Professional Drivers

To keep your Driver CPC and drive for a living, you need to complete at least 35 hours periodic training every five years. Driver CPC is a qualification for professional bus, coach and lorry drivers. It has been introduced across Europe with the aim of improving road safety. You can find out the full background in directive 2003/59/EC of the European Parliament.

The Driving Standards Agency have put together a video overview of Driver CPC .

Digital Tachograph Card Reader

202 digital tachograph smart card reader — Digital Tachograph Card Reader.

USB Smartcard Reader [Code 202] : Enables you to easily download recorded tacho’ data such as speed, distance and driver activities from any driver card. These driver cards are personal to the driver, and are issued by the local country’s licensing authority (DVLA)

Software [Code 206] is also needed. The reader simply connects to a PC via a USB lead. The data will be is in an un-analysed format. That means these files are not ‘human readable’ as they contain the activity data in a special, tamper-proof, electronic format. The extra SoloPlus software will read, format and report on the saved data.

Tacho Data Analysis

Driver Data Cards MUST be downloaded and saved at least every 28 Days before any data on the card is overwritten. A vehicle operator will want to view and analyse their drivers’ activity to ensure that they are complying with various driving laws such as the Working Time Directive and Driver Hours law.

» View a Digital Tacho Smartcard Reader

Digital Tacho Simulator

Demo: Digital Tachograph Simulator:

We recently stumbled on this simulator (click image) for various Digital Tacho systems. We cannot vouch for how good or up-to-date it is but it looks the best we have seen so far. However, it should give anyone new to digital tachos a reasonable idea of how they operate.

Audio Visual Interactive Guide

This audio/visual guide offers Lorry or Bus tuition in the various modes. And shows the Actia, Siemens and Stoneridge models. Have a look here… Digital Tacho Simulator

NEED MORE HELP with Digital Tachgraphs?

If you need more help with tachographs or need to purchase tacho’ charts / accessories such as a card reader or SmartAnalysis services please call us or visit our main website or call our GB Tachopak experts TEL: 01472 210102.

» Website: GB Tachopak for Digital Tachograph Accessories

RHA Support for a Custodial Sentences

Recently a driver was jailed after falsifying his hours records 79 times. The RHA chief executive Geoff Dunning expressed his support for the custodial sentence of eight months handed to the truck driver who pleaded guilty to 79 offenses of creating false driving hours records.

Ipswich Crown Court had heard from VOSA that Jasvinder Arora, from Feltham, driving for Ocean Xpress Logistics, had driven for 24 hours without taking proper rest. VOSA had already warned the driver.

RHA Policy for “Safer operation and fairer competition in road haulage”

The RHA had previously called for mandatory prison sentences for those found guilty of falsifying their tachograph records as part of a broader compliance strategy paper, Safer operation and fairer competition in road haulage:

» Download 2012 RHA.Policy Document (PDF)

» More about the Working Time Directive (Drivers Hours)

Electric Vans and Trucks

I though we could share this with you… Smith Electric Vehicles !!

Smith-Electric-Truck

Smith Electric Vehicles manufactures and sell zero-emission commercial electric vehicles and durable all-electric trucks. They are now available worldwide.

There are some amazing examples on their website which also explains the benefits such as its “green” credentials, lower costs to own an run, performance in urban areas.

See what you think, read the details here

> Digital Tachograph for Drivers

Important Highways Agency Reminder: Weight limit at Boston Manor, M4

A 7.5 tonne weight restriction remains in place on the M4 between Junctions 1 and 3 in both directions as a result of ongoing repair work at the Boston Manor Viaduct.

It is very important that drivers of vehicles of 7.5 tonnes or more comply with this restriction.

If you operate vehicles weighing 7.5 tonnes or more and use the M4 between junctions 1 and 3, please ensure your drivers follow the clearly signed diversion route using the dual carriageways of the A312 and A4. This applies to both eastbound and westbound traffic.

VOSA is working closely with the Met Police and the Highways Agency to identify and take action against road users who do not comply. This action includes the issuing of fixed penalties for vehicles not complying with the weight restriction and reporting repeat offenders to the Traffic Commissioner.

France orders breathalyser for motorists

France introduced new laws that state drivers MUST carry their own breathalyzer kits in their vehicle. This BBC article explains more…
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here is a summary…

A new law has come into force in France making it compulsory for drivers to carry a breathalyser kit in their vehicles or risk an on-the-spot fine.

It is the latest move by the government aimed at bringing down the number of road deaths caused by alcohol. All motorists must also have with them a high-visibility safety vest and a warning triangle. Foreign drivers are included in the new rule, however there is a grace period until November.

Some 4,000 people are killed on French roads every year, with drink-driving being the main factor in accidents ahead even of speeding.

The French government hopes that with breathalysers in every car, drivers who suspect they may be over the limit can test themselves and if necessary refrain from taking the wheel.

Where can I buy them ? Approved French Breathalyzer Kits can be ordered online via Amazon UK who have quite a few different models. Average price is £6 for two in box.

Changes to the OCRS scheme

The OCRS scheme was due to be rolled out on 30^th April 2012. But due to technical errors the roll out never took place. VOSA are now seeking views from within industry, before a new date for implementation is announced.

***AUGUST UPDATE : OCRS will change 1 Oct 2012
In April we informed you that the introduction of improvements to the current Operator Compliance Risk Score (OCRS) system was delayed due to some technical issues discovered during a system test.

These issues have been resolved and a full round of rigorous system-testing has now been completed. Improvements to OCRS will be introduced on 1 October 2012