n As our firm is short of staff in the office
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we find that it is difficult to spare time to check all the drivers' log sheets when they are handed in. We do make sure that drivers fill their sheets in and they have written instructions which state that they must complete a sheet every day. Is it necessary for all the sheets to be checked when they come in or would it be sufficient just to make random checks now and again to make sure that they are being filled in correctly?
AThe regulations are quite clear and specific on this point. "The Drivers Hours' (Goods Vehicles) (Keeping of Records) Regulations 1970, paragraph 5 (8), states that an employed driver must deliver his record sheet to his employer . . . and that employer shall examine and sign such sheet within seven days of receipt thereof. . ." The paragraph goes on to say that a person shall not be guilty of an offence under this sub-paragraph ". . . if he shows that it was not reasonably practical for such sheet to be so delivered or so examined and signed, by the employer within the prescribed periods and that the sheet was so de
livered, examined or signed as soon as reasonably practicable".
From this it can be seen that it is necessary to examine and sign every sheet, within seven days or as soon as possible after that.