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.
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.
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.
When will new commercial vehicles be fitted with digital tachographs
(DTCO)?
Based on EU regulations and the
statements made by the EU Commission, it can be assumed that from
August 2005 new commercial vehicles in EU member states for which
tachographs are mandatory will have to be fitted with digital
tachographs.
The introduction of digital tachographs involves, among other
things, putting in place arrangements for the issue and
personalisation of cards, as well as the creation of a network of
qualified, authorised workshops.
To date the national regulations required for this have not been
passed in many EU member states. Because digital tachographs are
safety-related systems, vehicle manufacturers must carry out
detailed tests which have not been completed as yet.
Experts are therefore advising that introduction be postponed to
2006.
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.
When can digital tachographs be
bought?
It is to be expected that approved
series units for vehicle manufacturers will be available from
October 2004.
However, installation or retrofitting of these systems will only
be advisable when the necessary infrastructure for issuing cards
and authorising workshops has been set up in EU member states. In
many countries this is not likely to happen before May 2005.
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.
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.
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.
Can the DTCO be connected to an external display?
Yes, an electronic speedometer or
instrument cluster can be connected to the DTCO.
What does a digital tachograph cost?
The price of the digital tachograph has
not yet been fixed.
Can the DTCO also be retrofitted?
Yes, Siemens VDO is planning to provide
solutions for retrofitting to all mainstream vehicles.
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.
Does the DTCO also need to be tested regularly?
Yes, tachograph units must be checked by
an authorised workshop every 2 years. This requirement applies
throughout the EU.
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