Q I drive a heavy goods vehicle for a local
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authority and the log book with which I am .issued is endorsed "do not use for hgv". Jam told that I do not need to keep a log book because the vehicle is not operated more than 25 miles from base and the record which I keep .is .for internal use only. I also act as an attendant on a gritting lorry from time to time.
Could you tell me if the log book position is as stated and is my time acting as gritting attendant counted as driving time?
AThe records which a driver must keep are provided for in the Drivers' Hours (Goods Vehicles) (Keeping of Records) Regulations 1970. Regulation (2) provides an exemption from keeping a log book for drivers who, in any period of 24 hours beginning at midnight, do not drive an hgv for more than four hours and not outside a radius of 25 miles from the operating centre of the vehicle. Note that both conditions must be fulfilled in order to qualify for the exemption.
You should obtain the Department of the Environment's free booklet entitled "A guide to domestic goods vehicle drivers' hours and records-. It is available from any area traffic office.
In this booklet, driving is described as being at the controls of a vehicle for the purpose of controlling its movement whether it is in motion or stationary with its engine running. In that case, your duty as an attendant on a gritting lorry does not count as driving time.