Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Fleet managers

Must I convert all vehicles with analogue tachographs?

There is no general obligation to retrofit existing vehicles.  However, upgrade to digital tachographs can be done voluntarily at any time.

Fleet managers

Can fleets evaluate DTCO data?

Yes, for this purpose the VDO TIS-Web Analysis and Archiving solution includes modules for the combined analysis of vehicle unit mass memory, Driver Card and tachograph chart data.

Fleet managers

How are company checks carried out?

There is a mandatory requirement for companies to download and archive data on a regular basis:

• download data from the Vehicle Unit and Drivers' Cards as frequently as stipulated in national law.  (In the UK Driver Cards must be downloaded at least every 28 days and VU's to be downloaded every 56 days, but often enough to ensure that no data is lost).
• make regular checks of charts and digital data to ensure compliance;
• be able to produce records to enforcement officers for 12 months; and take all reasonable steps to prevent beaches of the rules.

Fleet managers

How are road side checks carried out? 

Where a driver drives a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph he must be able to produce, whenever an enforcement officer (VOSA or Police) so requests;

• his Driver Card
• the chart for the current day and those used by the driver during the previous 28 calendar days and
• any manual records and print-outs made during the above period (i.e. if the Driver Card has been lost or stolen)

Where a driver drives a vehicle fitted with an analogue tachograph he must be able to product, whenever an enforcement office (VOSA or Police) so requests:

• the chart for the current day and those used by the driver during the previous 28 calendar days and
• the Driver Card if he holds one, and
• any manual records and legal print-outs made during the above period (i.e. if the Driver Card has been lost or stolen)

Fleet managers

What is a Company Card?

The company card is an electronic smart card similar in size to a photo driving licence/credit card and will be issued (upon application) by DVLA.  The company card ensures only authorised persons have access to company-related data held on the Digital Tachograph.  For example the inserted Company Card allows displaying, downloading and printing of the data stored in the vehicle unit or from the Driver Card.  The Company Card can also be used to "lock in" and "lock out" the data so that the data will be accessible to that company but inaccessible to any other company, which may use the vehicle in the future.

In the UK, fleet and vehicle operators can apply to DVLA for a Company Card and this can be done on either a national or regional office basis (application form is D779B and the fee is £38.00)

The Company Card is valid for 5 years and Companies can apply to DVLA for more than one Company Card (maximum per company is 2232 cards).

The Company Card is designed for data management of the Company only and must not be used for driving!

Fleet managers

What data is stored on the Company Card?

The card identification details and information about the company are stored on the company card. The last 230 activities perfomed using the company card are also stored on it (details of data transfer).  Mass memory data cannot be stored on the Company Card. 

Fleet managers

Who gets a Company Card?

In the UK fleet and vehicle operators are able to apply to DVLA for Company Cards. 

Fleet managers

Can our company also obtain more than one Company Card?

Companies can apply to DVLA for more than one Company Card (Maximum per Company is 2232 cards). 

Fleet managers

How do I get a Company Card?

In the UK, Tachograph Card application packs (Company D779B and Driver D777B) are available from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) including regional centres and also at VOSA Test Centres.

Fleet managers

What type of training packages are available on Digital Tachographs?

VDO offers  variety of training soluions including Train-the-Trainer packages (City and Guilds Courses) and special Training Packages (including demonstration units and Digital Tachograph simulators for you and your drivers).