PCV Drivers' Hours and Tachographs 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What must a PCV driver do when they take over a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph?
- Nothing - the tachograph records automatically
- Insert their driver card, enter the country of start, and manually record any activities since last card withdrawal (Correct answer)
- Just start driving
- Call the depot to register the changeover
Correct answer: Insert their driver card, enter the country of start, and manually record any activities since last card withdrawal
The driver must insert their personal driver card and manually enter any unrecorded periods of work, rest, or availability.
Insert your driver card into slot 1, enter the country where the working period begins, and use the manual entry function to record any activities since the card was last withdrawn.
Question 2: What are the four mode symbols on a tachograph and what do they represent?
- Drive, Work, Rest, and Eat
- Driving (steering wheel), Other Work (crossed hammers), Availability (square), and Rest (bed) (Correct answer)
- Fast, Slow, Stop, and Park
- Morning, Afternoon, Evening, and Night
Correct answer: Driving (steering wheel), Other Work (crossed hammers), Availability (square), and Rest (bed)
The four tachograph modes are: Driving, Other Work, Period of Availability, and Rest.
Steering Wheel (driving, recorded automatically when moving), Crossed Hammers (other work), Square (period of availability/POA), and Bed (rest/break). Incorrectly recording activities is falsification.
Question 3: How long must a PCV operator retain tachograph records?
- 6 months
- 12 months
- At least 12 months, with driver cards downloaded every 28 days and vehicle units every 90 days (Correct answer)
- 3 years
Correct answer: At least 12 months, with driver cards downloaded every 28 days and vehicle units every 90 days
Tachograph records must be retained for at least 12 months, with regular downloads of driver cards and vehicle units.
Download driver card data at least every 28 days, vehicle unit data at least every 90 days, and retain all records for at least 12 months.
Question 4: What is multi-manning in drivers' hours regulations?
- When multiple drivers share driving duties on the same journey, allowing different break patterns (Correct answer)
- When a bus has multiple conductors
- When two buses run the same route simultaneously
- When a driver works for multiple operators
Correct answer: When multiple drivers share driving duties on the same journey, allowing different break patterns
Multi-manning is when two or more drivers are on the vehicle, allowing modified break and rest requirements.
Multi-manning allows extended daily driving to 10 hours, reduced daily rest to 9 hours taken concurrently, and the co-driver's time counts as a break.
Question 5: What happens if a DVSA officer discovers that a tachograph has been tampered with?
- A verbal warning is given
- It is a criminal offence with prosecution, heavy fines, and potential imprisonment (Correct answer)
- The vehicle must be re-tested within 30 days
- Only the tachograph manufacturer is liable
Correct answer: It is a criminal offence with prosecution, heavy fines, and potential imprisonment
Tachograph tampering is a serious criminal offence that can result in prosecution, imprisonment, and loss of operator licence.
Tampering can result in fines up to 5,000 pounds per offence, imprisonment of up to 2 years, loss of PCV licence and CPC, and the operator may lose their licence.
Question 6: Under which circumstances can a PCV driver exceed the daily driving limit?
- Whenever the depot asks them to
- Only to reach a suitable stopping place for safety, provided road safety is not jeopardised (Correct answer)
- When running more than 30 minutes late
- Under no circumstances
Correct answer: Only to reach a suitable stopping place for safety, provided road safety is not jeopardised
A driver may only exceed limits to reach a safe stopping place, and must record the reason on the tachograph record.
Article 12 of Regulation EC 561/2006 permits departure from rules to reach a suitable stopping place. The reason must be manually recorded. DVSA will scrutinise habitual use.
PCV Drivers' Hours and Tachographs 2
What must a PCV driver do when they take over a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph?