Digital Tachos Imminent
Tacho discs to become a thing of the past
The SMMT is warning commercial drivers that digital tachographs will be law from May this year, according to a letter this week from Jacques Barrot, EU transport commissioner.
M Barrot has just written to all EU transport ministers to say that the Commission accepts May 2006 as the latest deadline for the mandatory introduction of digital tachographs for ‘in scope’ vehicles. In practice this means almost all commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle weight.
‘This is good news in that it narrows the scale to May,’ said Robin Dickeson, manager, commercial vehicle affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. ‘But sadly and typically, there is still an element of uncertainty, as no-one seems able to put a date on the publication of the Official Journal and that determines the precise date for the new law.’
‘Manufacturers, dealers and operators will be relieved that we have at least got a pretty clear idea of a date to aim for. For those with new vehicles due for delivery from April onwards, this is a wake-up call and probably last chance to change the specification to include a digitach. Once the deadline is passed, you won’t be able to register a new van, truck, bus or coach with an analogue tacho and someone will need to fork out over £1,000 a vehicle to get each one converted.’
‘And of course, operators need to ensure that drivers get the necessary Driver Cards in good time.’
Any particular reason why? (Not that it affects me in any way at all, even if I did start driving a truck, given I'm not living in the EU) but it seems a tad odd to me.
Ali.
Despite what many people think, I, who drives for an agency and uses tachos all the time think this is a GOOD thing. One of the many reasons driver's wages are kept so low is the abuse of the current paper tacho regulations by unscrupulous firms AND drivers.
Anyway, it will only be law for NEW vehicles. Old ones can continue to use analogue ones until they break or an end date of 2008? (stand to be corrected)
The introduction of tachos for vehicles 3 1/2 to 7 1/2 tons will happen but not for a few years yet. This will cause complete havoc with multi-drop drivers.
People who drive LGV vehicles to shows, etc. and NOT for commercial use do not need tachos, but be aware that only people who passed their driving test before Jan 1st 1997 can drive over 3 1/2 ton vehicles anyway. Anyone since will have had to take a C1 test for 3 1/2 to 7 1/2 tons.
FestivAli said:
Found out that digital tachos apparently take down hours spent driving constantly and other stuff, on trucks at least, so it means they will get done for driving too much (at possible fatigued states etc) and hence I'm thinking its a good idea, though it will undoubtedly hurt the industr7y.
Ummm. That is what analog ones do as well. The digital ones are well, just digital...and should be more tamperproof and reliable.
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