Q. I am due to take delivery of a brand new vehicle fitted with a generation 2 “smart” tachograph; will I need to update my existing downloading equipment?
A. The answer to this question is ‘maybe’. Most hardware providers are expected to offer a free firmware update on downloading units bought within a certain time-frame in order to make them “smart” compatible. It is worth checking with the vendor that supplied you with the equipment for terms and conditions.
Q. If a tachograph fails in one of my vehicles, will it need to be replaced with a Gen 2 smart-tacho?
A.No, tachographs are replaced on a like-for-like basis which means the tachograph can be replaced with one of the same version.
After the biggest changes in tachograph legislation in 12 years happened in June this year when a new generation of mandatory digital recorders was introduced, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger compliance picture while concentrating on these new details.
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Q. Can I use my driver card to record activity which falls under GB Domestic Rules?
A.Yes, a driver can put any digital tachograph into “Out Of Scope” mode which will flag all duty recorded thereafter as being undertaken under GB Domestic Rules. This can certainly be beneficial in cases where the driver also runs under EU Drivers’ Hours from time to time as all the data is recorded in one place
Q. If I interrupt a Daily Rest undertaken under Ferry/Train Rules, is any driving included in my daily driving total.
A. No, it is not included in the driving total for a 24 hour period, but it is included in the accumulated driving time for the fixed week/ fortnight.
Q. Is the GNSS transponder in the new ‘smart’ tachograph, a tool for enforcement bodies to spy on a vehicle’s movement?
A.The GNSS (global navigation satellite system) is a significant development for the new Gen 2 Tacho, which will take a GPS reading of a vehicle’s position at the start and end of duty to an accuracy of 200 metres, and again after every three hours of accumulated driving. If the satellite is obscured, then this will also be recorded by the tachograph. The enforcement bodies will have no remote access to this information, but if a vehicle is stopped the information can be accessed as part of a routine check.
Q. I’m still driving vehicles with both digital and analogue tachographs – what records do I need to keep
A. For analogue, you are required to carry charts and any legally required printouts relating to the current week, as well as the previous fifteen days. All the data stored on your driver card should be sufficient for the digital journeys.