What is a Tachograph?

What is a tachograph?

A tachograph is a device used to record information about driving time, speed, and distance. They’re used to track and enforce the rules on drivers’ hours. Many commercial vehicles, HGVs and buses are already equipped with tachographs, but some vehicles will require installation. Tachographs are primarily used in Europe.

Tachograph analysis is a way to measure how drivers are performing. The tachograph data provides fleet managers with reports of speed, odometer readings, distance, and other vehicle data. When combined with an integrated telematics system, fleet managers can get an accurate, real-time view of driver productivity and road safety.

The different kinds of tachographs

There are three different kinds of tachographs: analog, digital, and smart.

• Analog tachographs (or analogue tachographs) use wax paper sheets to record driver data. Drivers must manually write their details on the paper sheet, insert it into the tachograph device, and select their mode. The tachograph then records driving hours’ data onto the paper. 

• Digital tachographs record driver data on internal device storage and a driver card. This card allows drivers to track their driving data wherever they go and no matter what tachograph they use.

• Smart tachographs are the new generation of digital tachographs. As of June 2019, the European Union (EU) requires companies to use a smart tachograph. These devices include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), allowing for automatic location recording. The tachograph records the driver’s location at the start and the end of the journey, with an update recorded every three hours during the drive.

Tachograph cards

There are four kinds of smart cards used with digital tachographs.

• Driver card. This card stores driver data, including driving times, breaks, and rest times.

• Company card. These cards are used for protecting and downloading data stored in tachographs.

• Workshop card. This card allows calibration of the tachograph itself by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and EU-authorized workshops.

• Control card. These cards are only available to enforcement officers (police and transport officers), giving them unlimited access to all the information stored on the tachograph to carry out inspections.

How do drivers use tachographs?

In tachograph management, data is collected through a tachograph vehicle unit (VU). These units are installed and calibrated by authorized tachograph centers. Tachographs need to be accurately calibrated and sealed to prevent tampering and falsifying tachograph records.

At the start of the day, drivers must place a new tachograph disc (analog) or driver’s card (digital) in the VU to record drivers’ hours rules. They must leave it in the tachograph the entire time they work, only moving it if they switch vehicles. 

During the day, drivers must record their activities by operating the tachograph switches. There are usually four switch options: 

• Driving. Indicates when the driver is behind the wheel, even if the engine is idling.

• Other work. Shows when a driver is logged in and doing work other than driving. For example, loading or unloading goods.

• Availability. This mode accounts for periods when the engine isn’t on, but the driver is available to resume driving or take calls. This often accounts for time spent on a ferry or waiting for loading or unloading.

• Break or rest. This indicates when a driver is on a break or resting. It includes daily rest periods or weekly rest periods.

Tachograph regulations

The tachograph originally documented irregularities for the railway industry. It was invented by Max Maria von Weber, a German civil engineer.

In 1952, it became mandatory for 7.5 tonne vehicles and above to use a tachograph to record driving data in Germany. In 1986, tachographs became mandatory through the EU to record commercial activities.

EU regulations made digital tachographs mandatory in 2002 for all relevant commercial vehicles manufactured after August 1, 2005. Further, digital tachographs are required as of May 1, 2006, for all new vehicles subject to Eurogroup Working Group (EWG) regulation. The EU also adopted a common set of EU rules for maximum driving and rest times for professional drivers. Employers, enforcement officers, and other authorities can verify these times with a tachograph.

The EU updated its regulations in 2016 to pave the way for SMART tachographs. All vehicles registered on or after June 15, 2019, will need to include SMART tachographs.

In general, if you drive a goods vehicle regulated by the United Kingdom, EU, or AETR, you need to use a tachograph. Typically, this refers to a goods vehicle with a maximum weight of over 3.5 tonnes or a passenger-carrying vehicle.

Tachograph rules

Similar to North America’s hours of service regulations, tachograph rules can be complicated to understand. Here is a brief overview of the main tachograph rules.

Note: The rules below apply to the EU. (See Great Britain domestic rules and AETR rules)

Maximum driving hours

Drivers must not drive more than:

• 9 hours in a day. This can be extended to 10 hours twice a week

• 56 hours in a week

• 90 hours in any 2 consecutive weeks

Breaks

Drivers must take at least 45 minutes of break time after every 4.5 hours of driving time, unless the driver takes a rest period. The 45-minute break period can be either a single 45-minute break or a single 15-minute break followed by a 30-minute break.

Daily rest

A driver must take at least 11 consecutive hours of rest every day. They may split the rest into two periods: one of at least three hours followed by another of at least nine hours. Up to 3 times per week, this daily rest may be shortened to nine total hours. All daily rests must be completed within 24 hours of the end of the previous daily or weekly rest.

If the driver’s vehicle has a compliant sleeper berth, they may take some of all of the rest in the vehicle if it’s stationary. 

Weekly rest

Each week, a driver must take an unbroken rest period of 45 hours (regular weekly rest), or a reduced 24 hours (reduced weekly rest) every other week. This weekly rest must begin after six consecutive 24-hour periods of working, starting from the end of the last weekly rest period.