Fleet operators must be able to show evidence of drivers’ timetables – both during and outside of working hours – for the past 28 days.

The rules were introduced in August 2020, as part of the EU Mobility Package, but TruTac says the changes have not been publicised.

It applies to every driver undertaking any EU-regulated driving (both HGV and PSV) and requires operators to provide, at the roadside, 24/7 record of drivers’ activities for the previous 28 days, which must be documented via a tachograph chart, the driver’s digital card or a printout from the digital device. This is the case even if they only undertook one EU Regulated driving duty in the prior 28 days.

“Operators really need to know about this regulation because, based on feedback from our customers, we know the DVSA are actively enforcing it,” says TruTac’s managing director, Jemma James. “However, there has been absolutely no publicity about it whatsoever, so it is incredibly easy for even the most diligent commercial vehicle business to inadvertently contravene the rules.”

Reporting requirements are not limited to the time behind the wheel or even engaged in other activities for the business. The regulation requires operators to show complete evidence of drivers’ entire calendars for the period, including daily rest, days off and sick leave.

TruTac says this is an “onerous task” particularly for part-time, agency or drivers who work a mix of EU regulated driving and non-EU.

The DVSA has begun enforcing the regulations during roadside stops and when investigating operators. Traffic Commissioners are also reportedly scrutinising operators’ facilities to find out if they have systems in place to document drivers’ timetables in sufficient detail.

James added: “This regulation is a real headache for operators, and it’s worth remembering that it applies to any driver undertaking EU-regulated journeys – even an occasional agency driver. Drivers and operators will be expected to produce these records when stopped, so it’s vital that they have a solid and dependable way of capturing and presenting the data.”

TruTac’s TruControl fleet management portal comprises a suite of software applications for all-round compliance management and includes tools such as TruAnalysis – a full tachograph management system, with driver de-briefing, risk scores and automatic compliance reporting.