Tachographs

[grumpy]

Two and a half years ago we bought a Merc Sprinter double rear wheeler van with a Priestman, (boom lift), mounted on the back for street lighting repair. I understand that it weighs in at around 2.5 tons.
It has to go for a "HGV" mot, (class 7 or is it 4, I'm never sure?). It passed the last twice without problems.
Anyway this year it fails because the tachograph doesnt work.
Now, firstly it has never worked, secondly we don't know how to use it,
and thirdly every who drives the van does so on an ordinary licence.
So, are we braking the law driving it on an "ordinary" licence?
If not then why are we required to have a working "tacho" in the vehicle?

[andmole]

As far as I know, 3.5 tonnes or under does not require a tacho, (I've driven an 07 reg sprinter a lot lately and it doesn't have one), but I suspect if it's fitted it is supposed to work. Remove the tacho perhaps?

[EDLT]

Take it to another testing station. A startling number of MOT testers don't know what they are looking at most of the time.

[Vixpy1]

EDLT said:

A startling number of MOT testers don't know what they are looking at most of the time.

I know, excellent is'nt it

[Dwight VanDriver]

I used to have some knowledge on this subject and to me if GV under 3500kgms mpw then no Tachograph is required.

However UK legislation is intertwinned with EEC regs i.e.

Transport Act 1968
EEc Regs 3821/85 (as amended by 3314/90,3688/92, 2479/95, 1056/97, 2135/98, 1360/02,1882/03,432/04,561/06)
Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Community Recording Equipment) Regs 2006
Community Drivers Hours and Recording Equipment Regs 2007 and
various other am ending S.I's

which sort of makes it a specialist subject unless dealing with it on a day to day basis so the horses mouth has to be VOSA who I would suggest you address the question to.

There is some info on the Web at the Transport office
http://tinyurl.com/326dvm
is a publication that may assist ( these used to be free)

Also
http://www.transportcafe.co.uk/drivers_hours.html

So far just spent 35 minutes in my books etc to get a definitive answer as to why you were refused by the black hand gang .....I'd continue but nurse is coming with straight jacket and the syringe....

...........................E MAIL VOSA.....ahhhhh

dvd