The EU has finally addressed the issue of rounding up on digital tachographs, in order to provide equal treatment for drivers involved in frequent-stop or multi-drop operations, regardless of the recording instrument used. A 'tolerance' can now be applied by enforcement bodies - this will last only for the transitional period during which both analogue and digital tachographs coexist.
This transitional tolerance will apply to vehicles involved in frequent-stop or multi-stop journeys and
equipped with digital tachographs.
Enforcement officers can allow up to a 15-minute tolerance over a four-and-a-half-hour block of driving time for vehicles involved in frequent-stop or multi-stop journeys, provided such claims can be supported by evidence and do not detract from the proper application of the Drivers' Hours Rules.
For example, a deduction of one minute per driving time block, between stops, with a maximum of 15 minutes per four-and-a-half-hour block of driving time can be applied.
It is good to see this issue addressed, but one vital question remains: what is the definition of frequent- or multi-drop operations? To ensure a consistent approach to enforcement, this must be clearly defined and not left open to interpr-etation by the enforcement bodies or the operator. Karen Crispe, director of Tachodisc.
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