Drivers and analogue tachographs

Managing your analogue tachograph charts and records

As a commercial driver, you must operate your analogue tachograph accurately to completely record all your activities. You must:
  • Make sure that the tachograph is correctly calibrated before you operate it.
  • Carry enough charts for your journey, including spares.
  • Use a second chart if the first one becomes damaged while in use.
  • Ensure that the correct type of chart is used for the specific model of tachograph.
  • Not use the chart for longer than 24 hours.
  • Enter details in the centrefield area of the chart when you first use it, when you change vehicles and when you have finished using the chart.
  • Correctly operate the mode switch to record your activities. The tachograph will automatically record activity as driving when the vehicle is moving and defaults to the mode switch setting when the vehicle stops. You will need to set the mode switch to record your other activities such as availability, rest or break, and other work.
  • Make manual entries on the chart if the tachograph malfunctions.
  • Report any malfunctions to your operator or employer.
  • Return used charts to your employer within 42 days.
  • Allow a police officer or Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) examiner to examine your tachograph and charts when asked.
  • Not remove the chart before the end of your work period unless authorised to do so examples of this may include a change of vehicle, making manual entries in the event of an emergency or equipment malfunction.
  • Be able to produce charts and any legally required manual records for the current day and the previous 28 calendar days at the roadside.

Centrefield entries

Each time you use an analogue tachograph to record your activities, you will need to make entries in the centre of the tachograph chart, known as the 'centrefield area'. These include:
  • your surname and first name
  • the dates and places you start and stop using the chart
  • registration number(s) of the vehicle(s) driven
  • the time when any vehicle change takes place
  • odometer readings at the start, end and at any vehicle changes, recording the readings from both vehicles you have used
Your written entries should not extend outside the centrefield area since they may interfere with chart recordings. If your name or a place name is so long that it must be abbreviated to fit, you should note the full name on the back of the chart. Must put the information on the back

What is a digital tachograph?

Digital tachographs work by digitally storing data on the driver and vehicle in its memory, and also on a credit card-sized plastic card. This is known as the 'driver smart card'. Transport operators must periodically download this data from the digital tachograph - known as the vehicle unit (VU) - and from driver cards. They must then analyse the information to ensure that the drivers' hours rules have been followed. The VU is located in the driver's area of the vehicle cab. It can hold up to 12 months' data on drivers of the vehicle, including their periods of driving and duty. The VU stores information relating to system faults, attempts to tamper with the system, over-speeding, and calibration details. It also records when data has been accessed by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) staff or police. The VU works by sending a signal to the speedometer/odometer unit, which can be clearly viewed from the driver's seat. The VU receives a signal from the vehicle - usually from the gearbox - throug

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