Analogue tachographs

Analogue tachograph recordings are made by a stylus cutting traces into a wax-coated chart. Three separate styluses mark recordings of speed, distance travelled and the driver’s activity (known as the ‘mode’).

The inner part of the tachograph is used by the driver to write details of his name, location of start of journey, end location, date and odometer readings.
The reverse of a tachograph chart normally contains an area for recording manual entries and details of other vehicles driven during the period covered.

 

Analogue charts and records

Drivers are responsible for correctly operating their tachograph in order to accurately and fully record their activities. Specifically, drivers must:

• verify, before using an instrument, that it is correctly calibrated via the attached plaques and ensure that the time displayed is set to the official time of the country in which the vehicle is registered
• carry enough charts for the whole journey, including spare charts in case any become damaged or dirty. You must carry one for every 24 hour period.
• use a second chart if a chart is damaged while in use and attach this one to the first chart on completion
• ensure that the correct type of chart is being used for the specific model of tachograph in use and that enough spare charts are carried
• not use the charts to cover longer than 24 hours
• enter centrefield details at the first use of the chart, when changing vehicles and when completing the use of the chart
• correctly operate the mode switch in order to accurately record their activities
• make manual entries on the chart in respect of their activities away from the vehicle, where the rules have been exceeded in an emergency, or to correct a recording
• make manual entries when the equipment malfunctions and report any such malfunctions to the operator or employer
• return used charts to the operator within 42 days. This requirement must be complied with even when a driver changes employer
• permit an Authorised Examiner or police officer to examine the tachograph instrument
• not remove the chart from the instrument before the end of their duty period unless authorized to do so. The rules are not specific on who can authorise removal of the chart, but cases where charts can be removed include:
  – a change of vehicle;
  – to make manual entries in the event of an emergency, equipment malfunction etc
• be able to produce at the roadside:
  – charts and any legally required manual records for the current ‘fixed’ week and the previous 28 calendar days
  – the driver’s digital smart card if they hold one
   

Centrefield Entries

• Drivers are required to enter the following information on the centrefield of a tachograph chart that he/she is using to record his activities:
• surname and first name
• the date and place where the use of the record sheet begins and ends. The year may be written in full or abbreviated – so both ‘2010’ and ‘10’ are acceptable. If the start and finish places are the same, both must be written on the chart – ditto marks are not acceptable
• the registration numbers(s) of vehicle(s) driven (which should be entered before departing on a new vehicle)
• the time at which any change of vehicle takes place
• the odometer readings:
  – at the start of the first journey;
  – at the end of the last journey; and
  – at the time of any change of vehicle, recording the readings from both vehicles.
  The ‘total kms’ field does not have to be completed.

It is not acceptable for written entries to extend outside the centrefield area if they might interfere with chart recordings. If, for example, the driver’s name or a place name is so long it must be abbreviated in order to avoid any possible interference with the recordings, the full name should be noted on the reverse of the chart.

Manual Entries

Drivers must provide a record of their whole working day. Analogue charts have space on the reverse for reverse side to make manual entries. Manual entries can be made anywhere so long as they do not interfere with or obliterate other tachograph recordings.