Do you need to use a tachograph when driving a bus on a Schools Contract?

Answer 1

Like Tris said, if one is fitted it must be used, however most pcv's don't have them fitted yet, although this will change very soon as all the EU crappy legislation comes in.

Answer 2

You need to go back to a European Community Regulation of 1969 which defines the types of service are covered by the European driving hours regulations.

These regulations (which include the use of tachographs) do NOT apply on a "Regular Service" of route length less than 50Km (which is 31.06 miles). This Regulation was intended to cover "conventional" bus services open to the general public.

But another Regulation defined "Special Regular Service" as a regular service restricted to a certain type of passenger, and both schools and works services are specifically mentioned therein.

Now a schools contract, by its very nature, is a regular service. So the test is "how long?". If the single route distance is less than 50km, it is exempt from the European Regulations, and, hence, from the need for tachograph use.

DO NOT confuse European law with UK Domestic law. The fact that the schools contract may not be a Registered Bus Service in terms of Section 1 of the Transport Act 1985 (as amended), is irrelevant. The test is the USE to which the vehicle is being used.

IGNORE the response from George D - HGV law is different from PCV law. His response is partially correct for HGV operations, but seriously flawed for PCV. [Sorry, PCV stands for Passenger Carrying Vehicles, the sucessor to the now-outdated PSV]

IGNORE the response from Phillip B - there are no longer "stage carraige services". These were abolished on 26 October 1986. Your question is about 2007, not a situation a quarter of a century ago. Even then, his answer is seriously flawed.

Answer 3

The exemption from the EC driver's hours Regulation is for buses on stage carriage with routes less than 50 miles (or thereabouts). The timetable takes the place of the tachograph, with the operator being responsible for devising shifts that comply.

A school run isn't a bus, even though the vehicle might look like one - it is actually a coach for the purposes of driver's hours. This is also why park and ride buses have tachographs.

Ensuring that drivers are fresh enough to drive safely is important regardless of vehicle size, so I can fully understand that the complex legislation for large vehicles is unpopular, but bear in mind that, for example, bus drivers in America also have to log their time usage. For them it's a manual sheet, not even an analogue tacho.

Answer 4

It does not matter if it is on short runs, or distance work. If a tachograph recorder is fitted to any vehicle you must record all driving, other work ( including waiting times + periods of availability) and breaks,under the EU regs. The same regs cover both HGVs & Coaches (buses) which have already been 'retro-fitted'. Currently 'Mini Buses' are not fitted with tachos but moves are underway to have them installed from new & retro fitted later.

Answer 5

If it is fitted with a tacho, it must be used

Answer 6

it should not have only for bus or lorrys that go long places not for school runs