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 commercial vehicles. Vehicle speed, distance travelled and other system-related parameters are also logged. Data is stored in a memory (mass memory) inside the unit and on driver-specific smart cards (driver cards). The EU Commission has decided that digital tachograph systems will replace existing EC tachographs using paper charts in the next few years. The legal basis for this is Regulation (EC) No. 2135/98 and No. 1360/2002.

General

Why is an electronic unit replacing the proven paper-based tachograph?

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

General

Will there only be digital tachographs in the future?

In the European Union, as soon as the legal regulations come into force, new commercial vehicles can only 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 tachograph and analogue tachograph equipped commercial vehicles. Outside the European Union, traditional 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)?

Based on EU regulations and the statements made by the EU , it can be assumed that from May 2006 new commercial vehicles in EU member states for which tachographs are mandatory will have to be fitted with digital tachographs. Furthermore, digital tachographs can be fitted on a voluntary basis from August 2005 onwards.

General

When will new large goods and passenger vehicles be fitted with digital tachographs (DTCO)?

European legislation which was introduced in August 2002, required all vehicles first put into service after August 5th 2004 to be equipped with digital tachographs and EU MemberStates were required to issue smart cards by May 5th 2004. The date of introduction was determined by the date of publication of Annex 1B (1360/2002) in the EU Official Journal, the successful type approval of a "digital tachograph" and the availability of tachograph smart cards. Changes to Council Regulation (EEC) No. 3821/85 on Recording Equipment in Road Transport, which support the introduction of digital tachographs, are contained in Council Regulation (EC) 2135/98 and Council Regulation 1360/2002. However the Council of the Ministers of Transport reached a political agreement on 11th June 2004 regarding the introduction date of the digital tachograph: All ministers of the EU Member States decided on 5th Aug. 2005 as the deadline for the compulsory fitment of digital tachographs. The decision by the Council of Ministers regarding the introduction date was made within the framework of the amendment of the Regulation (3820/85) on driving and resting times. On April 14th 2005, during the second reading of the new Drivers Hours Regulations, the European Parliament voted for a further delay of the mandatory date of introduction of digital tachographs: 1) All vehicles manufactured after 5 August 2006 shall be fitted with recording equipment in accordance with the requirements of Annex IB of Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85. 2) After 5 August 2007, all vehicles put into service for the first time shall be fitted with recording equipment in accordance with the requirements of Annex IB of Regulation (EEC) No 3821/85. As the European Council of Ministers and the European Parliament have voted for different positions regarding the mandatory fitment, a compromise has to be found within a conciliation process between the Council of Ministers and European Parliament. It is expected that this legal process will not be finished before Autumn of 2005. On Tuesday 22nd March 2005 the Minister, David Jamieson, released a statement confirming that GB would support the introduction and use of digital tachographs from August this year, but would not require mandatory fitment until such time as it was clear that industry could support this.

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 the tachograph of commercial vehicles over 12 t and buses with more than 8 seats and over 10 t 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 also be very difficult to ensure that workshops and vehicle owners comply with these regulations. Information should be obtained from the relevant authorities in EU member states as to whether the EU requirements will be implemented within national legislation and what form this will take.

General

When can digital tachographs be bought?

Digital tachographs will be mandatory only for newly registered vehicles probably from May 2006. Digital tachographs can be retrofitted on a voluntary basis. We will offer digital tachographs for retrofitting with immediate effect.

General

Does the DTCO provide information on the current driving and rest times in relation to complying with EU social regulations?

Yes, the DTCO issues a warning 15 minutes before the permitted driving time of 4.5 hours is exceeded. The recorded driving and rest times and their totals can be displayed and printed out.

General

Is approval required for digital tachographs?

Yes. The approval process includes a security check in which it must be shown that it is not possible to tamper with the unit, a compliance 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. Control authorities are issued with a control card which permits access to all mass memory data.

General

Can the DTCO be connected to an external display?

Yes, an electronic speedometer or instrument cluster can be connected to the DTCO.

General

Can the DTCO also be retrofitted?

Yes, we are planning to provide solutions for retrofitting to all mainstream vehicles.

General

Will there be an obligation to archive DTCO data?

EU member states are currently planning legal regulations making it mandatory to archive driver card and mass memory data on a regular basis. Additional archiving/downloads can be made on a voluntary basis at any time.

General

Does the DTCO also need to be calibrated regularly?

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