Chart shock for dealers
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• Truck dealers may have to start using tachograph charts after Manchester police successfully prosecuted a used dealer for running a vehicle without one. Until now most dealers have believed they did not need to use tachos because they are not hauling loads.
But at Oldham Magistrates court last week Ian Varey of Chapman Commercials was fined £200 plus costs for driving a vehicle without a tacho chart being used.
Neil Chapman, managing director of Chapman Commercials, says in 28 years in the trade he has never heard of a dealer using a tachograph chart. Mike Mudie, chairman of the national truck committee of the Retail Motor Industry Federation adds that he is confused and disturbed by the Oldham decision.
The Vehicle Inspectorate says that while there is no exemption for dealers, prosecution is not normally considered.
But Greater Manchester Police remain unrepentant. A senior officer says: -The lesson to be learned by vehicle dealers is not to circumvent their legal responsibilities."