Mick Marshall Isle of Grain, Kent The recent changes to
Page 42
![](http://commercial-motor.sec.cdn.netcopy.thompsonjames.co.uk/issues/13th-september-2007/42.jpg?size=300x450&token=44dcb19a75ab979a077dc8807ae4c609)
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
the drivers hours rules include an extension of the definition of duty time and what can be considered to be rest. You are quite right in that this has caused a problem for people who serve in the Territorial Army or similar organisations.
It is a problem that has been raised in Parliament on a number of occasions.
Currently, TA activities should not be counted as rest; as a driver, you should record a weekend exercise as duty/other work by means of a manual record (either on a tachograph chart or by using the manual input buttons on a digital tachograph). You should then take an appropriate weekly rest before starling to drive again for your employer.
The good news is that the government is aware of the problems this is causing and is trying to negotiate an exemption with the European authorities. Watch the pages of Commercial Motor for more details.
Points of concern
I understand :net a sliding scale of penalty points is being introduced, under which drivers committing less serious offences may receive two pants rather than the current three. When does this come into force? As an owner-driver I'm concerned as I have six points or my licence and drive approximately 70,000 miles a year.