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Tachographs
Any horsebox over 7.5 tonne gross (if towing a trailer add weight of horsebox and trailer together) including those registered as a private HGV must have a tachograph fitted. Horseboxes not exceeding 7.5 tonne and registered after 1st April 2007 must also have a tachograph fitted. The tacho must be checked every 2 years and calibrated every sixth. The tacho must be used with a card inserted on every journey. EU regulations concerning Drivers Hours* must then be followed.
Privately owned horseboxes not exceeding 7.5 tonnes used for non-commercial personal carriage and registered before 1st April 2007 are exempt from having a tachograph fitted. If one is already fitted as a speedometer it will be exempt from the two and six yearly inspections as long as the seals remain intact.
In order to declare exemption, the following form may be downloaded in an Adobe pdf file here (see “Useful Links” page for Adobe download for pdf file reading and printing). It should be completed and handed in at the time of your test. A photocopy of the declaration will be returned to you for your files.
*To download the VOSA guide that provides advice to drivers and operators of goods vehicles, whether used privately or commercially, please click anywhere on this paragraph.. The guide explains the rules for drivers’ hours and the keeping of records, and it replaces publication GV 262 (dated December 2006).
New Tachograph Inspections
- Tachograph scale marking in kilometers per hour, (additional mph marking is allowed)
- Presence of tachograph serial number and appropriate "e" marking.
- Tachograph installation / calibration plaque, presence, condition & calibration date.
- "K factor" plaque for presence, condition and "K factor" clearly visible (advisory until 1 September 2002).
- Condition and presence of seals (checking for evidence of interference).
- Tachograph exempt vehicles using a tachograph as a speedometer
- A vehicle must have a tachograph fitted unless the presenter claims it is exempt from tachograph regulations.
- If a tachgraph is fitted on an exempt vehicle and used in place of a speedometer, the tachograph must be calibrated and sealed in accordance with the Community Recording Equipment Regulations.
- Providing the seals remain intact there will not be a requirement to have 2 yearly inspections or further calibration.
- If the above vehicle legally requires a speed limiter and has the speed signal operating the limiter transmitted from the tachograph head, then all seals including the gearbox sender unit must remain intact to avoid the requirement for re-calibration
- If the vehicle does not legally require a speed limiter (or the speed limiter does receive the speed signal from the tachograph head) then the tachograph head seals (excluding the gearbox sender unit seal) must remain intact to avoid the requirement for re-calibration.
An electronic device will be used during the test to check the function and the setting of the speed limiter
Some Common Questions
Q. My vehicle is tachograph exempt, but it has one fitted as speedometer. Why does it need to be calibrated and sealed?
A. The tachograph head must be calibrated to show the correct road speed. Once sealed it will not require 2 and 6 yearly checks as long as the seals remain intact.
Q. Why check tachograph head calibration and sealing?
A. There is substantial evidence that tachograph seals have been interfered with and settings altered. This in turn can affect speed limiter settings (if fitted) enabling the vehicle to travel at greater speeds than legally required. In a recent VI trial (using these additional checks), results showed that the majority of vehicle which failed the teat did so on a sealing related item.
Q. Does a minor repair count as a 2 year check?
A. An authorised tachograph repairer will not carry out a 2 year check as part of a minor repair. If you wish to have the 2 year check undertaken at the same time, you must request it.
Q. My vehicle is maintained under a contract maintenance agreement with a franchised vehicle main agent, does he check the operation of my limiter as part of the service?
A. No major manufacture has the operational check of the speed limiter as part of the vehicles maintenance schedule. Most franchised dealers, however have the equipment to check set speed operation if you specifically request this check as part of the service agreement.
Specific calibration and sealing requirements can be obtained from your local tachograph calibration centre or speed limiter authorised dealer
Further Information
Should you require additional information on the changes to the annual test please contact the VI on: 0870 60 60 440. There is also a VOSA “Horsebox Plating Guide” about horsebox plating in general. This can be downloaded in Adobe pdf format here. Please also see our “Useful Links” page for the Adobe reader download if you do not already have it.
THE ORGANISATION OF HORSEBOX & TRAILER OWNERS
Whitehill Farm, Hamstead Marshall, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 0HP
Tel: 01488 657651 Fax: 01488 657652
E-mail: info@horsebox-rescue.co.uk
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