As a HGV driver, you’re at the heart of a safe and compliant transport operation. Your tachograph records, breaks, and working hours aren’t just about regulations, they’re about protecting your licence, your job, and your safety on the road. Most driver hours infringements happen because of small, easy-to-avoid mistakes. This guide breaks down the common issues and how you can stay compliant every day. Why Staying on Top of Driver Hours Matters When you record your hours correctly, you protect: Your licence – infringements can lead to warnings, penalties, or formal reviews Your safety – proper rest prevents fatigue and accidents Your professionalism – accurate records show you’re in control of your day Your Employer – supporting a compliant, well-run fleet Good habits behind the wheel make a big difference. Common Infringements and How to Avoid Them Below are the issues most drivers see in their tachograph reports — and how to prevent them. 1. Moving the Vehicle Without Your Digi Card Inserted Even a short movement in the yard counts as driving. If the tachograph isn’t recording your time, it becomes an infringement. How to avoid it: Insert your card before you move the vehicle, even a few metres Wait for the tachograph to read your card properly Make it the first thing you do when you get in the cab 2. Not Completing Manual Entries Missing manual entries is one of the biggest causes of incorrect records. Any time you’ve been doing work , rest , or breaks away from the vehicle — and the card wasn’t in — you must add that time manually. How to avoid it: At the start of your shift , record: rest taken any work you did before inserting the card At the end of your shift , enter: any activity after removing the card If your tachograph asks for manual entries — never skip it Manual entries protect you , proving you were compliant even when the truck wasn’t recording. 3. Not Changing the Tachograph Mode Correctly Drivers often forget to switch between: Driving Other work POA Break/rest Incorrect mode = inaccurate records. How to avoid it: Take a second to switch modes whenever you change activity Check the tachograph screen before you start moving Ask for refresher training if you’re unsure 4. Missing Breaks or Cutting Them Too Fine (Driving Hours & WTD Breaks) Breaks aren’t just about the 4.5-hour driving rule. Under the Working Time Directive (WTD) , drivers must also take a break after 6 hours of work , even if they haven’t reached their driving limit. Many infringements happen when drivers only focus on their driving time and forget their WTD obligations — or run too close to the 4.5-hour rule and get caught out by unexpected delays. How to avoid it: Plan your day so you take a break before hitting 4.5 hours of driving Remember: if you reach 6 hours of total work , you must take a break under WTD Don’t leave breaks until the last minute — traffic, queues or delays can quickly push you into an infringement Use tachograph alerts, apps, or planner notes to track both driving time and working time Taking breaks at the right time keeps you compliant under both driving hours rules and WTD — and helps prevent fatigue on the road. 5. Exceeding Daily or Weekly Driving Limits Sometimes this happens because a driver didn’t realise how the day was adding up, especially on long routes or unexpected detours. How to avoid it: Keep an eye on your cumulative driving time Keep a record of your Driving Time and Working time Each week Speak up if the schedule becomes unrealistic 7. Late Digi Card or Vehicle Unit Downloads A simple oversight, but can still cause problems for your employer How to avoid it: Know your operator’s download routine Set reminders Download your card at the end of every shift or at the end of the week if you’re tramping 8. Ending the Shift Incorrectly Removing the card while still moving or before confirming your manual entries causes errors in the record. How to avoid it: Always stop fully before removing your card Complete manual entries before getting out of the cab Double-check the tachograph confirms end of duty How These Mistakes Affect Drivers Infringements can lead to: formal meetings retraining written warnings impact on your employment record issues with DVSA if repeatedly non-compliant And most importantly, they can put your licence and livelihood at risk . Good tachograph habits protect you every single day. Practical Tips for Staying Compliant ✔ Create a start-of-shift routine (insert card → manual entry → mode check) ✔ Review your tachograph regularly to spot patterns ✔ Plan your break locations early ✔ Add manual entries whenever the tachograph didn’t record your activity ✔ Ask for help if you’re unsure — don’t guess ✔ Build buffer time into your day ✔ Keep your Digi Card clean and undamaged Final Thoughts: Professional Drivers Stay in Control Most infringements aren’t caused by deliberate rule-breaking, they’re caused by simple things drivers forget on busy days. But with the right habits, tachograph compliance becomes second nature. By taking a few extra seconds to: ✔ Insert your card ✔ Complete manual entries ✔ Switch modes correctly ✔ Plan your breaks ✔ End the shift properly You keep yourself safe, legal, and respected as a professional driver.
Why Transport & Logistics Businesses Benefit From Working With an Accredited Recruitment Agency The transport and logistics sector works under constant pressure with fast turnarounds, changing regulations, and the need for reliable people every single day. Having the right recruitment partner can make all the difference. Choosing an agency that holds respected industry accreditation's, such as : British Institute of Recruiters (BIOR) Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) Association of Labour Providers The Responsible Recruitment Toolkit is one of the smartest ways to protect your business, your compliance, and your reputation and here’s why - 1. Accreditation's Give You Confidence in Full Legal & Regulatory Compliance Transport & logistics is one of the most face-paced sectors so working with an accredited agency gives you reassurance that the people you’re hiring have been sourced, checked, and managed to the highest professional standards. This reduces the risk of non-compliance, penalties, or reputational damage—protecting your business where it matters. 2. Reliable, Pre-Vetted Staff Who Understand Transport Demands Accredited agencies must demonstrate: robust vetting transparent processes consistent quality standards This means the workers you receive are not only compliant, but also better prepared for the fast-paced, safety-critical environment of transport & logistics . You get fewer no-shows, fewer issues on shift, and a more dependable workforce across driving, warehousing, and logistics roles. 3. Improved Risk Management Across Your Entire Supply Chain Transport and logistics businesses are under increasing scrutiny to show ethical labour practices, especially when supplying into food, retail, or regulated industries. A fully accredited agency helps you: strengthen your supply chain integrity demonstrate responsible recruitment to customers meet audit expectations reduce exposure to labour exploitation risks This is especially important for businesses that undergo regular compliance checks or external audits from major retailers. 4. Better Worker Welfare = Stronger Performance on the Road and in the Warehouse A well-accredited agency commits to ethical treatment of workers, fair pay, and responsible recruitment. This leads to: better engagement higher motivation stronger productivity improved retention Happy workers = more reliable operations. In a sector where delays cost money, this matters. 5. A Partner You Can Trust Through Peak Periods Accredited agencies are held to higher operational and service standards. As a result, they are typically better equipped to: scale up quickly support seasonal peaks ensure rapid compliance checks deliver safe, legal staffing solutions at volume Whether you’re gearing up for Easter, Summer Peaks, Black Friday or sudden spikes in demand, you have a partner who won’t cut corners and won’t let you down. 6. Protecting Your Brand and Reputation Customers, auditors, and regulators look closely at how labour is sourced. Working with an accredited agency sends a clear message: “We take compliance, safety, and worker welfare seriously.” This strengthens: your brand reputation your customer relationships your audit outcomes your long-term commercial opportunities It’s a strategic advantage and not just a hiring preference. Final Thoughts: Accreditation Isn’t a Badge, It’s a Business Benefit For transport and logistics companies, choosing an accredited recruitment partner means: safer staffing stronger compliance reduced operational risk better workforce reliability enhanced brand protection In a sector where the smallest mistake can have the biggest impact, an accredited agency provides the assurance, stability, and professionalism you need to keep your operation running smoothly. Be Compliant, Be Protected, Be Elite
Temporary vs Permanent Recruitment – Which One Is Right for Your Operation? In the logistics and transport industry, staffing isn’t just about filling roles, it’s about keeping your entire operation moving safely, efficiently, and compliantly. But when demand shifts, peaks hit, or long-term growth kicks in, it’s not always clear whether you need temporary cover , a permanent hire , or a mix of both. At Elite, we support clients across transport, logistics, and freight with both solutions — and each comes with its own strengths. Here’s a clear, honest breakdown to help you determine what’s right for your business. When Temporary Recruitment Makes Sense Temporary recruitment is ideal when your operation needs speed, flexibility, and short-term cover without long-term commitment. Best for: Peak season increases Sickness or holiday cover Unpredictable workloads Launching new contracts Filling urgent shifts at short notice Key Benefits: 1. Rapid Response Need drivers for tonight? A warehouse team for tomorrow? Temps deliver immediate cover, keeping your operation running while you manage demand. 2. Total Flexibility Scale up or down based on real-time needs — no long-term overheads. 3. Cost Control You pay only for the hours worked. No permanent commitments, no hidden costs. 4. Guaranteed Compliance When done properly, temporary recruitment offers full vetting, licence checks, references, WTD compliance, and shift management. (And at Elite — this is our foundation.) When Permanent Recruitment Is the Better Fit Permanent hires strengthen your long-term stability, culture, and operational leadership. Best for: Transport office & planning roles Management or leadership hires Customer-facing or sales roles Building continuity and retention Growing your structure or expanding regionally Key Benefits: 1. Long-Term Stability Permanent staff offer consistency, reliability, and a deeper commitment to your business. 2. Cultural Fit They become part of your team — improving morale, communication, and ownership. 3. Future-Proofing Your Operation Strategic hires bring expertise that supports long-term performance, compliance, and growth. 4. Higher Retention = Lower Costs A strong perm hire reduces turnover and training costs over time. Which Option Should You Choose? Both models add value — the key is matching them to the right scenarios . Temporary is right if: Your workflow changes from day to day You need speed or last-minute cover You want flexible staffing for Peak You want to test a worker before committing Permanent is right if: You’re building your team for the long term You need consistency in key roles You want to strengthen culture and capability You’re planning growth in new regions What Most Successful Operators Do The strongest logistics businesses don’t choose one or the other —they use both strategically . Temps keep your operation reactive and flexible. Permanents build your foundation and future. At Elite, we help clients balance both — ensuring every hire (temporary or permanent) is: Fully vetted, Compliance-checked, Culture-matched, And capable of representing your brand. How Elite Helps You Make the Right Choice With over a decade supporting the logistics sector, we give clients clarity on: The true cost of each option How workload patterns impact staffing needs Where temps can protect your operation Where perms can strengthen it Compliance requirements for both models And because we offer both temp and perm recruitment , our advice is always unbiased — based on what’s best for your operation. Let’s Build a Workforce Strategy That Works for You Whether you need fast, flexible cover or a long-term hire who will grow with your business, Elite is here to help. - Speak to our team on 0151 420 1219 - Jobs@elite-employ.com - elite-employ.com Elite — The Recruitment Partner You Want to Work With.
