a l am an owner-driver of a 32-ton artic unit which
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was fitted with a tachograph when I bought it. I have never used this instrument and have completed the manual logbook as was required by British law. However, it is obvious that I would prefer to use my tachograph because it eliminates the need for me to remember to fill in the logsheet at regular intervals during the day, with dirty hands and occasionally being unable to find my ballpoint pen. Moreover. I would be able to prove to my customers that delays did occur when and where I say they do. I understand that the new regulations which came into effect on August 1 allow me to begin using the instrument but that there are still some snags. What are these?
AThe Passenger and Goods Vehicles (Recording Equipment) Regulations 1977 (SI No. 777) which came into operation on August 1 is available, price 25p, from HMSO or through any bookseller. In brief, it allows the records produced by a tachograph to be used for law enforcement, sets out the conditions of issue and retention of these records and the penalties for non-compliance, provides for the inspection of records by Authorised persons, provides for the approval by the Dip of fitters and workshops for tachograph installation and repair, and exempts drivers who use the instrument from the requirement to keep driver's record books.
The snag lies in the last two provisions.
In order to use the tachograph strictly legally without the necessity to complete a logsheet, the instrument should be calibrated and sealed with a special seal in a number of places between the recording head and the vehicle transmission. The seal, should bear a special mark identifying the fitter undertaking the calibration. No fitters or workshops have yet received Dip approval to undertake this work and it is likely to take some time yet for the Dip to inspect and approve sufficient to both to get the work done.
However, the tachograph manufacturers have been preparing for some time for this eventuality and it should be possible for you go get the instrument calibrated, at least, by asking the maker of your tachograph where this can be undertaken. Obviously, it will not be possible yet for it to be sealed officially.
Though the use of a tachograph to compile daily records in place of the manual logsheet cannot be officially sanctioned till the calibration and sealing procedure is finalised, there are operators who have already adopted this method without being prosecuted.