FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General

What is a digital tachograph (DTCO 1381)?

A digital tachograph is an electronic system for recording driving and rest times for drivers and co-drivers of large goods and passenger vehicles. In addition the vehicle speed, distance travelled and other system-related parameters are also to be recorded. Data is stored in a memory (mass memory) inside the unit and on driver-specific smart cards (driver cards). The legal basis for the digital tachograph are Regulations (EC) No. 2135/98,No. 1360/2002 and 561/2006.

General

Why is a digital unit replacing the analogue tachograph?

The EU is committed to improving compliance with mandatory driving and rest times. For this reason Regulation (EC) 2135/98 and 561/2006 was enacted, according to which all new vehicles within the EU which are required to have tachographs must be fitted with digital tachographs from 1st May 2006.

General

Will there only be digital tachographs in the future?

In the European Union, as from 1st May 2006 all new large goods and passenger vehicles which are in-scope must be fitted with digital tachographs. As there is no general obligation to convert existing vehicles, for a number of years fleets will operate a mixture of both digital and analogue tachograph equipped vehicles. Outside the European Union, analogue tachographs will continue to be installed in commercial vehicles for the foreseeable future.

General

When will new commercial vehicles be fitted with digital tachographs (DTCO)?

From 1st May 2006 all  new in-scope vehicles (put into service for the first time) must be fitted with a digital tachograph.

General

Must all vehicles with analogue tachographs be converted?

No. There is no general obligation to convert existing vehicles. But the EC Regulation requires that when replacing recording equipment of commercial vehicles over 12 tonnes and passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats and over 10 tonnes first registered after 1/1/1996, a digital tachograph must be fitted. Detailed investigations carried out by tachograph and vehicle manufacturers show that it is not technically possible in every case to convert existing vehicles so that they correspond to legal requirements and meet the safety standards of vehicle manufacturers. It will be very difficult to ensure that calibration centres and vehicle owners comply with these regulations. At this moment in time, "recording equipment" within the regulations has been interpreted by most member states as meaning all components of the recording equipment system (Tachograph head, wiring loom, motion sensor and speedometer where fitted). Therefore in the UK under circumstances where the entire system is to be replaced due to the above requirement, it must be replaced by a digital system. In the UK retrofits must be carried out in accordance with the written instructions and guidance provided by the vehicle manufacturer and the tachograph manufacturer whose products are being combined.

General

When can digital tachographs be bought?

Digital tachographs are only mandatory for newly registered vehicles as from 1st May 2006. Digital tachographs can be retrofitted on a voluntary basis and VDO are offering retrofit kits for digital tachographs for retrofitting.

General

Is approval required for digital tachographs?

Yes. The approval process is a security test in which it must be shown that it is not possible to tamper with the unit, a functional test that proves that the digital tachograph fulfils all the functions required in Annex 1B and an interoperability test that ensures that different types of unit are compatible with each other.

General

How are unauthorised persons prevented from accessing the data stored in the DTCO?

Access to the mass memory data is only possible using an appropriate tachograph card. Company-related data in the mass memory of the DTCO may only be downloaded by the fleet operator using an authorisation key, the so-called company card. The enforcement authorities (VOSA and Police) are issued with a control card which permits access to all mass memory data.

General

Does the DTCO also need to be calibrated regularly?

Yes, tachograph units must be calibrated by an authorised calibration Centre every 2 years. This requirement applies throughout the EU.  

General

What should a driver produce to the enforcement authorities during mixed tachograph operation?

When using a vehicle with an analogue tachograph a driver must be able to produce: the record sheets for the current day and those used by the driver in the previous 28 days, the driver card if he holds one, and any manual record and printout made during the current day and the previous 28 days as required (i.e. when a drivers card has been lost, stolen or malfunctions).

When using a vehicle with a digital tachograph a driver must be able to produce: the driver card of which he is a holder, any manual record and printout made during the current day and the previous 28 days as required (i.e. when a drivers card has been lost, stolen or malfunctions), the record sheets for the current day and those used by the driver in the previous 28 days during when he drove a vehicle fitted with analogue recording equipment 

General

Where can I find information on solving hardware and software problems relating to Data Management solutions?

We have a special FAQ site dedicated to providing information to solve common hardware and software problems relating to our Data Management Solutions.

The site can be found via the following link www.dtco-user.com/faq/