EU & Tachographs

[antond]

Well, according to VOSA & the EU , ALL plg vehicles (pickups escort vans etc) sold new after 2006 ( I forget the month) MUST be fitted with a tachograph! Seems they havent told any dealers this one! The EU also say it is Illegal to drive any plg fitted with a tacho if you dont have a driver card. What if my wife wants to use our family pickup to go to the shops, what about when we go on holiday with it?
Anyone got any answers or comments as no vosa helpline opperators know anything about it. Two of them even transfered me to DVLA Swansea, who only issue the cards and couldnt help either.

[vonhosen]

The fact the vehicle has a tachograph fitted doesn't mean it has to have a card in it if you are exempt for that use at that time.

[norasport]

You only need to use the tachograph, by using your driver card, when your train weight is over 3500kgs. That will be when your van, assuming its own authorised max weight is under 3500kgs, is towing a trailer and is doing commercial work. If you are just carrying your own goods no tacho is needed.
The law does not require all commercial vehicles to be fitted with tachos, only when the above situation applies.