Laws On Driving 3.5 Tonne Vehicles

[jesmond]

thought I would ask here before checking out vosa site, if you drove this vehicle for 17 hours and had your allotted breaks during this time would you have to have at least 11 hours break before driving the same weight vehicle again

[EDDIE51]

Is this a private vehicle or registered as a goods vehicle? If it is private then there are no restrictions on driving.

[douglas9401]

Is the van fitted with a tachograph?.

[jesmond]

3.5 tonne vehicle don't need tachographs, goods delivery company, so would be owned by them

[douglas9401]

I know that jesmond, but some have them fitted anyway.

If there's no checkable record of driver hours then the driver would be able to work any length of time they liked. It's how same day couriers can do what they do.

[EDDIE51]

Then there is no law just common sense , you can drive as many hours as you want but it is sensible to take a break when you feel too tired and not drive again until you are properly rested. I would say this is like any other work, after 12 hours on duty you should have 12 hours rest. I know this is often abused and there is no way of checking , but no one should be expected to drive 17 hours and then drive again until they have had a full 12 hours rest.

[jesmond]

would totally agrees eddie51 but as has also been said its down to the individual, so they are either totally stupid or totally exploited, things only come to light/change after an accident, many thanx for your replies