FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Workshops

Does the current authorisation for my calibration centre also cover the checking and calibration of digital tachographs?

No, VOSA requires separate authorisation for Digital Tachograph Centre Approval. The latest VOSA Tachograph manual outlines the requirements for centre approval.

Workshops

Will digital tachograph units still need to be calibrated regularly?

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

Workshops

Can exisiting test equipment be used for DTCO configuration?

VDO offers an upgrade kit for the current service diagnostic systems (MTC, ATC) so that DTCO inspections can be carried out. A VDO downloadkey is available for downloading mass memory data. Also VDO is providing KIPAS 2.0 an electronic database for transferring, evaluating and displaying workshop card data.

Workshops

What happens to mass memory data when a DTCO is replaced?

The calibration centre should download all data from the mass memory of the system being replaced and provide it on request to the fleet operator on a suitable data storage medium. VDO provides KIPAS 2.0 calibration centre software to do this. The VOSA Tachograph Manual specifies the procedure for Calibration Centres.

Workshops

What is a workshop card?

The workshop card is a smart card, which allows authorised calibration centres to carry out checking and calibration of digital tachographs . It is inserted during digital tachograph test drives and allows testing and programming via the interface on the digital tachograph. It is also used to store the calibration data.

Workshops

What data is stored on the workshop card?

• Identifying data (information about the calibration centre, card number, issuing authority, validity)
• Test drive data (vehicles used, driver activities, events, faults)
• Calibration data from up to 88 tachograph checks (when calibration took place, vehicle data, DTCO identification, adjustment factors)

Workshops

What happens when my workshop card is full?

The workshop card’s data memory is operated on a rolling system in which the latest data automatically overwrites the oldest stored data. Therefore the workshop card stores the key data from at least the last 88 tests.

Workshops

Can I display the information stored on the workshop card?

Yes KIPAS 2.0 software from VDO is a module for transferring, evaluation and displaying workshop card data.

Workshops

Who gets a workshop card?

Only trained technicians at calibration centres, which are VOSA authorised to check digital tachographs will get workshop cards.

Workshops

Can our Calibration Centre obtain more than one workshop card?

Only trained technicians at authorised workshops will be issued with workshop cards. VOSA will only issue one workshop card per trained technician. The number of workshop cards for an authorised calibration centre will therefore depend on the number of employees trained to test digital tachographs.

Workshops

How do I get a workshop card?

VOSA will inform you how and where to apply for a workshop card.

Workshops

Does the workshop card have unlimited validity?

No, the EU has decided that the workshop card will no longer be valid after a maximum of 1 year and must then be replaced.

Workshops

Can the information stored on the workshop card be evaluated?

Yes, VDO offers KIPAS 2.0 workshop software for downloading, evaluation and archiving workshop card data. This software enables the processing and management of calibrations/inspections/minor repair, customer and vehicle data - with KIPAS you simply enter customer data once, including details of the associated vehicles and can then access the information whenever you need it.