Digital Tachographs

Digital tachographs work by storing data digitally on its memory and on the driver’s data card. The data must periodically be downloaded from the digital tachograph and driver’s cards to ensure all rules have been complied with.

To make sure you are complying with all digital tachograph rules, please read below:

It is a legal requirement for a digital tachograph-equipped vehicle driven in scope of EU rules that the driver must use a driver card. If the vehicle is used without a card being inserted, the system will not prevent the vehicle from being driven, but the VU will record the fact that the vehicle has been used without a card.

Drivers may only be in possession of one driver’s smart card, and must never use anyone else’s card or allow another driver to use their card.

When driving a vehicle that is equipped with a digital tachograph, drivers should:

• ensure that the instrument is calibrated by inspecting the calibration plaque or interrogating the instrument
• ensure that their driver card is inserted into the correct slot (driver in slot 1, second driver in slot 2) from the moment they take over the vehicle, and that it is ready for use, before the vehicle is moved
• record the country in which they begin and end their daily work period. This must always be carried out at the time of the start or end of the period, even if the card is not to be withdrawn or inserted (for example if the card is left in overnight)
• carry sufficient supplies of type-approved print roll on board the vehicle so that a printout can be produced at an enforcement officer’s request
• ensure that all duties conducted since the driver card was last removed from a tachograph are manually entered onto the card record, using the manual entry facility on the tachograph
• ensure that the tachograph is working properly;
• ensure that through the daily working period the mode button is used correctly to record other work, periods of availability, and rest and breaks
• take reasonable steps to protect their card from dirt and damage
• use only their own personalised driver card to record driving and other activities they undertake
• ensure that the card is not removed from the tachograph during the working day unless otherwise authorised. The rules are not specific on who can authorise removal of the card, but cases where cards can be removed include a change of vehicle, or where another driver will be using the vehicle during a break or rest period
• on multi-manning operations ensure that their driver card is placed in the correct slot (slot 1 when they are acting as driver and slot 2 when co-driver on a double-manned journey), when they take over driving
• make their cards available for downloading by their employer
• 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.

To apply for a driver card, please contact the DVLA.  You must not drive a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph without a driver card.

Manual records

It may be necessary to keep a manual record of your activities if:

• An instrument malfunctions
• You have to breach driver rules due to an unforeseen event
• An entry needs correcting

Manual records should be made on the reverse of the corresponding print roll.

The Mode Switch

It is important that the mode of the tachograph is in the correct position according to the work/rest being undertaken.

Symbol	Use	Explanation
	Driving	This will automatically record on most tachographs
	Other work	Includes all ‘other work’ as defined under EC driving rules for the same or different employer