Most fleet managers expect the Government’s review of driver hours to result in tachographs being fitted to vans.

Currently, tachographs are only mandatory if the vehicle being driven is covered by European Union regulations, such as heavy goods vehicles.

But 60% of respondents to the Fleet News poll believe that the review will lead to tachographs being introduced in vans.

Van fleets are being urged to take part in the review of the rules, which set daily driving and duty limits and, in some instances, break and rest requirements for drivers of vans below 3.5 tonnes.

Ann Dukanovic, fleet manager at Kaba Door Systems, believes tachographs will become mandatory.

“These are still by and large 'goods vehicles' and as such should be treated as per the 7.5-tonne vans,” she said.

“I also feel this is a sector of employment where drivers are often carrying out a job other than driving, but still completing as many miles per day as a full-time delivery driver would. This, I feel, leads to excessive fatigue, a major factor in a large number of accidents.”

But Daniel McKeown, fleet manager at MJ Quinn Integrated Services, disagrees.

“I think the review will result in an annual driver training programme being implemented and guidance on driver hours and taking breaks from driving,” explained McKeown. “Anyway, it would be impossible to fit tachographs into most LCVs as the vehicles are too small.”

Copies of the consultation, which will close on October 13, are available at www.dft.gov.uk/consultations.