Watch out for those tachograph sharks
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3PERATORS are pressing the Government to act quickly over :achograph calibration centres which are charging more than :he statutory £10 calibration fee, writes ALAN MILLAR.
There is a strong feeling hroughout the industry that he three-year-old £10 fee is .00 low.
But the two trade associa.ions are immediately con;erned with centres adhering .o the law.
For the Freight Transport kssociation, Bill Mills told CM bat he has had "a good hand'ul" of complaints from nembers who have been wercharged.
He has written to the Deaartment of Transport, 4uoting such examples as an aperator who was charged ?,15.75 plus vat because the :entre could not undertake the pork for £10. Another centre :harged £32 plus vat, because t charged £9 an hour for the work.
Road Haulage Association .echnicai officer Mike Qneen :old CM that he is aware of ;ome examples of overcharging. In one, a calibration cen:re told him that "it always :harged £14".
Both Associations have told :heir members to insist upon aaying the £10 and no more, ind to raise any disputes with FTA or RHA.
And FTA, in its letter to the Department, said: "We are concerned that the practice of overcharging may become widespread. The maximum fee of £10 is laid down by DTp and had to be accepted by those seeking approval as tachograph centres."
It wants a reminder notice to be sent out by DTp stressing the level of fee permitted. A DTp spokesman told CM that the letter is receiving consideration.
There is a strong feeling that the fault lies largely at DTp's door, as the £10 fee has long since ceased to be relevant. Tachograph centres find it difficult to cover overheads.
The fee was based on the use of class 2B mechanics, but many centres use skilled fitters and electricians for the work, and the time element was based on chassis /cabs rather than bodied vehicles which form the bulk of retrofits.
Opinions vary on what the new fee should be. The barest acceptable minimum would be £15, and at least one industry representative hinted that even £18 might be too low.
But DTp may be making a noose for its own neck. By leaving the need for an increase until such a late date, it runs the risk of incurring considerable wrath if it raises the fee at a time when around 15,000 vehicles a month are passing through centres.