Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does the current authorisation for my workshop also cover the testing of digital tachographs?

With the introduction of the digital tachograph all duties and competences of authorised workshops are reegulated. These affect:

• Approval of workshops
• the workshops card an in addtion
• installation
• periodical check and
• calibration of the control device

National regulations can each expand or modified EC-regulations and guidlines. For each questions the national legislation of each country must be taken into account. 

Will digital tachograph units still need to be calibrated regularly?

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

Can existing test equipment be used for DTCO inspections?

We offer an upgrade kit for the current service diagnostic systems (MTC, ATC) so DTCO inspections can be carried out. Special solutions will be required for downloading mass memory data so called Download Tools 

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

The workshop 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. We have upgraded the KIPAS 2.0 workshop software to do this.

What is a workshop card?

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

What data is stored on the workshop card?

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

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.

Can I display the information stored on the workshop card?

Yes, there will be a module for transferring, evaluating and displaying workshop card data on the workshop partner software KIPAS 2.0 from Continental.

Who gets a workshop card?

Only trained technicians at workshops which are authorised to test digital tachographs will get workshop cards.

Can our workshop obtain more than one workshop card?

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

How do I get a workshop card?

The relevant authorities in the member states will inform you how and where to apply for a workshop card.

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.

Can the information stored on the workshop card be evaluated?

Yes, we offer KIPAS 2.0 workshop software for downloading, evaluating and archiving workshop card data.