Philip Baker AJ Baker & Son Hastings, East Sussex
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Owner-driver Philip Baker is resigned to the fact that digital tachographs will, at some point, change his way of working. Despite this he has no short-term plans to renew his vehicle in order to avoid the new technology.
"I'm not thinking of changing my vehicle at the moment, but when I do, I might consider opting for a nearly new truck without a digital tachograph, rather than a new one that has it installed," he says.
But if training costs of around £600 per driver are correct, then that's a lot of money. It's very much like when I got a Hiab licence. You pay 2300 or £400 for it and it has to be renewed every five years. It was a rip-off.
"The problem is the same with digital tachographs," says Baker, who has 35 years in the business. They will be fitted in all new vehicles so we'll have to like it or lump it."
Philip Baker