Tachograph for truck

What is a tachograph?

The tachograph records speed, driving time, breaks, and rest. All trucks over 3500 kg total weight used in commercial transport must have a tachograph.

Analog and digital tachograph

Digital tachographs are standard today. New trucks from 2023 have smart tachograph version 2 which also records location and border crossings.

The driver card

• Each driver card is personal and linked to the driver’s identity.
• The card stores activity data for the last 28 days.
• You must always insert the card before starting driving.
• In case of a card malfunction, you can drive for up to 15 days, but must print and sign the printouts daily.

Symbols and Activity Categories

Select the correct symbol manually when performing other work, waiting, or resting. Driving is recorded automatically.

Reading and Storage

• Driver card data must be downloaded at least every 28 days.
• Tachograph data from the device must be downloaded at least every 90 days.
• The transport company is responsible for downloading and storing data for at least one year.
• Printouts from an analog tachograph must be kept for at least one year.

Consequences of violations

• Failure or incorrect use of the tachograph results in fines and points.
• Manipulating the tachograph is punishable and can result in imprisonment.

Further reading

• Read about driving and rest times documented by the tachograph.
• See requirements for driver’s license class C .
• Practice with a free theory test for trucks.