Q One of my drivers was stopped by the police laet
Page 63
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
week and told that his calibration plate on the tachograph was out of date and that he would be reported for the offence. How can this be so, as the vehicle is only three years old? AN, Solihull AThere is a great deal of confusion in many operators' minds over the various plates on a tachograph. Firstly, the tachograph only has to be "calibrated" once every six years unless some alteration to the gearbox or tyres is made. The tachograph has to be "inspected" once every two years and when this happens, the authorised testing station will affix a two-yearly inspection sticker. Perhaps this is what the police meant.
The two-yearly inspection only covers the following: O that the equipment is working correctly O that the equipment canies the Type Approval mark O that the installation plaque is affixed O that the seals on the equipment and on the other parts of the installation are intact O the actual circumference of the tyres This inspection can be carried out in conjunction with roadworthiness tests of vehicles (MOTs) but this rarely happens. There is no defence in saying that you thought it took place at the time of the MOT unless the sticker is affixed.