Understanding Tachograph Requirements for Landscaping Operations
The requirement for using a tachograph to record driving activities depends on several factors, including:
- The weight of the vehicle
- The type of work for which the vehicle is used
In general, tachograph regulations apply to all vehicles, or combinations of a vehicle and trailer, where the maximum permissible mass exceeds 3.5 tonnes. It is important to note the use of the term "maximum permissible mass," which refers to the potential weight of the vehicle and trailer, as defined by their individual limitations specified by the manufacturer.
Checking Vehicle Weights
Association members should verify the maximum permissible mass of their vehicles and trailers. The addition of a trailer can bring a vehicle—whose maximum permissible mass alone may be less than 3.5 tonnes—into the scope of tachograph regulations.
Exemptions for Vehicles Between 3.5 and 7.5 Tonnes
If the maximum permissible mass of the vehicle, or the combination of vehicle and trailer, exceeds 3.5 tonnes but does not exceed 7.5 tonnes, an exemption from tachograph use may apply, provided the following conditions are met:
- The vehicle (and trailer, if applicable) is carrying materials, equipment, or machinery for the driver’s use in the course of their work.
- The vehicle is operated within a 100km radius of the business’s base.
- Driving does not constitute the driver’s main activity.
Applicability to Landscaping Operations
The exemption criteria are highly relevant to landscaping activities. For instance:
- “Materials, equipment, or machinery” can include items such as sand, aggregates, cement, plants, mulch, planting media, cement mixers, hand tools, lawn mowers, brush cutters, leaf blowers, and ride-on equipment.
Vehicles Exceeding 7.5 Tonnes
If the maximum permissible mass of the vehicle, or the combination of vehicle and trailer, exceeds 7.5 tonnes, and the vehicle is being used for landscape construction purposes, or if any of the exemption conditions are not met, the following rules apply:
- A tachograph must be installed.
- The driver must adhere to EU drivers’ hours rules.
Additional Requirements for EU Drivers’ Hours Rules
For vehicles within the scope of EU drivers’ hours rules, businesses must comply with the following:
- Tachograph data from the driver must be downloaded at least every 28 days.
- Tachograph data from the vehicle must be downloaded at least every 90 days.
- The data must be analysed to ensure compliance.
Drivers who fall within the scope, including occasional drivers, are required to maintain a complete set of records for the current day and the previous 28 days.
Key Takeaways for Association Members
Association members are advised to:
- Regularly check the maximum permissible mass of their vehicles and trailers.
- Understand whether exemptions apply to their operations.
- Ensure compliance with tachograph regulations and EU drivers’ hours rules where applicable.
Further Reading