What changes have
occurred due to the
introduction of digital
tachographs?
Since May of 006, all newly licensed HGV’s of more than 3.5 t and vehicles
for the conveyance of more than 9 passengers including the driver must be
equipped with a digital tachograph, in accordance with Regulation (EC) No.
561 / 006.
Data that was recorded on tachograph charts in the past is now electronically stored in the mass memory of
the digital tachograph and on the driver card. To fulfil your legal obligations as a fleet owner, you must regularly
download and archive the data from your digital tachographs and driver cards.
The following table shows you the tasks and new responsibilities which have been
compulsory since the introduction of digital tachographs.
Analogue tachograph
Digital tachograph
Company preparations
A sufficient number of the relevant tachograph
charts must be on hand in each vehicle.
The digital tachograph is activated before the
vehicle is commissioned. An authorised workshop
must then calibrate the digital tachograph for the
vehicle within 14 days and enter the vehicle registra-
tion number.
A secure filing location on company premises must
be made available for the tachograph charts.
Every company must have at least one company
card.
A person who drives a digital tachograph-equipped
HGV must possess a valid driver card.
Printing paper must be inserted in the digital tacho-
graph. We recommend that you keep sufficient
replacement rolls of printing paper in the vehicle.
Archiving data
Tachograph charts must be stored for at least two
years*.
Driver card data must be downloaded and elec-
tronically archived every 28 days* at the latest.
Digital tachograph data must be downloaded and
electronically archived every 3 months* at the latest.
Archived data must be stored for at least 1 year*.
Backup copies of data must also be made.
In accordance with the pertinent regulation for driving
crews, the data must be deleted upon expiry of the
data storage time limit.
* Legislation may be country-specific and must be adhered to accordingly.
