Digital tachograph questions

Questions

General Information

1. What Parts Make Up A Digital Tachograph System?

2. How Many Types Of Smart Cards Are There For The Digital Tachograph?

3. How Much Memory Space Does The Digital Tachograph Have?

4. Can The Data On The Digital Tachograph Memory Be Checked?

5. What Will The Digital Tachograph Print Out's Look Like?

6. What Will The Standard Display Look Like?

7. What Will The Menu Look Like?

8. What Are The Different Ways Data Can Be Downloaded To An External Storage Medium (ESM)?

9. What Is The Data Download Procedure?

10. Does The Digital Tachograph Give Any Warnings?

11. What Is A Speedometer?

12. What Is A Speed Sensor?

13. What Does "UTC" Mean?

Drivers

1. What Is A Driver Smart Card?

2. What Data Is Stored On A Driver Smart Card?

3. How Can One Apply For A Driver Smart Card?

4. The Driver Card Gets Lost – What Needs To Be Done?

5. The Driver Card Stops Working Or Gets Damaged – What Happens Then?

6. Where Can ‘Driver Cards’ Be Obtained?

7. How Much Will They Cost?

8. What Records Need To Be Kept If Driving With A Conventional Tachograph Than A Digital Tachograph?

9. Are There Any Benefits For The Driver?

10. How Much Memory Does The Driver Smart Card Have?

11. What Happens When The Driver Card Memory Is Full?

Company

1. What Is A Company Smart Card?

2. What Data Is Stored On A Company Smart Card?

3. How Can One Apply For A Company Smart Card?

4. What Is A Workshop Smart Card?

5. What Data Is Stored On A Workshop Smart Card?

6. What Is A Control Smart Card?

7. What Data Is Stored On A Control Smart Card?

8. Will Digital Tachographs Have To Be Fitted To Existing Vehicles?

9. The Current Conventional Tachograph Breaks Down – Must It Be Replaced With A Digital Tachograph?

10. The Digital Tachograph – Are There Any Benefits For The Operator?

11. How Can The Driver And The Operator Analyse Driver Card And Digital Tachograph Details?

 What Parts Make Up A Digital Tachograph System?            

The digital tachograph consists of a vehicle unit, motion sensor and smart card.

Vehicle Unit : The vehicle unit is the main part of the system. It consists of a printer, display, user interface buttons and 2 smart card slots. It holds the driver data (driving that vehicle), driving and duty periods over the last 365 days, faults data, calibration details and over speed and excessive drive times.

Motion Sensor : The motion sensor provides a signal representation of vehicle speed and/or distance travelled to the vehicle unit in an encrypted form.

Smart Card : This smart card is a white plastic card similar to a credit card in size and shape. It has a microchip on it and records activity and other details, similar to those now recorded on a conventional tachograph chart.

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How Many Types Of Cards Are There

There are four types of smart cards in total :

• Driver Card

• Company Card

• Workshop Card

• Control Card

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How Much Memory Space Does The Digital Tachograph Have?

At any one time the driver card holds typically 28 days of information about driver activities (the average activity of a driver is defined as 93 activity changes per day).

The digital tachograph vehicle unit is designed to hold data for 365 days with average use. It will also hold detailed speed data for the last 24 hours of actual driving time.

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Can The Data On The Digital Tachograph Memory Be Checked?

Yes, data can be checked on the screen, by downloading to an external storage medium (an authorisation card is necessary for access) or by printing out through the integral printer in the digital tachograph.

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What Will The Digital Tachograph Print Out's Look Like?

The vehicle unit will provide six different types of print out's via the menu, as follows :

Given below is what a sample print out will look like :

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What Will The Standard Display Look Like?

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What Will The Menu Look Like?

The menu has Up / Down, OK and Cancel buttons. The Up / Down buttons are used to scroll through various menu options or to increase, decrease displayed values e.g. hours. The OK button is used to enter and / or confirm options displayed on the menu and manual duty entry screens. The Cancel button is used for returning to the main menu.

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What Are The Different Ways Data Can Be Downloaded To An External Storage Medium (ESM)?

Regulation (EC) n o 1360/2002 defines downloading as :

"Copy of a part or of a complete set of data stored in the data memory of the vehicle or in the memory of the driver card. Downloading may not alter or delete any stored data. Downloaded data are protected in such a way as to make attempts to data manipulation detectable; origin of downloaded data must be authenticable. Downloaded data are kept in a format that can be used by any authorised person".

Data download can only be authorised by a company or control card. Data may be downloaded to an ESM (e.g. PC or laptop) in one of the following ways:

• From a tachograph card using a smart card reader.

• From a vehicle unit by connecting a IDE (Intelligent Dedicated Equipment : the equipment used to perform data downloading to the ESM.

• From a tachograph card via a vehicle unit by an IDE.

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What Is The Data Download Procedure?

In order to carry out data download on the vehicle unit, the operator must perform the following operations : 

• Insert a control card or a company card in the vehicle unit,

• Connect the IDE to the vehicle unit,

• Establish the connection between the vehicle unit and the IDE,

• Select on the IDE the data to download and send the request to the vehicle unit,

• Close the download session.

Four choices are presented for the operator to select on the IDE :

• Download driver activities between two dates typed by the operator,

• Download events and faults data,

• Download detailed speed over 24-hour data,

• Download technical data.

The result of one download session is one physical file in the IDE. Once the chosen data has been downloaded, the operator may reselect another choice of data to download or close the download session.

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Does The Digital Tachograph Give Any Warnings?

Yes. The Digital Tachograph warns the driver if any event or fault is detected or when a power supply interruption has occurred. The equipment also warns the driver 15 minutes before the permitted continuous driving time of 4 hours and 30 minutes is exceeded. Warnings are visual and audible. The cause of the warning is displayed on the equipment display and will remain visible until it is acknowledged by the user.

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What Is A Speedometer?

This is an instrument cluster that can optionally be used as an external display connected to the digital tachograph. It displays the speed and distance using information passed from a vehicle unit. However, speed and distance are also available on the vehicle unit display.

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What Is A Speed Sensor?

The speed sensor takes information from the vehicle and the digital tachograph converts it to speed and distance information. Each sensor has a specific code that the digital tachograph is set up to communicate with. If the sensor is changed to a new one, and the new code is not entered in the digital tachograph, the digital tachograph will not communicate with the new sensor, helping to prevent tampering.

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What Does "UTC" Mean?

UTC is the time system used by vehicles using digital tachographs. It stands for "Universal Time Co-Ordinated". All information recorded by the vehicle unit and on the driver card is in UTC time. Also, all printouts are in UTC time.

 

UTC time and “local time” can vary and both times are not always the same. In UK, in the Winter, UTC time is the same as local time. In UK, in the Summer, UTC time is local time (– 1 hour) e.g. 10:00 am local time would be 9:00 am UTC time. Below is a conversion table from “local” time to "UTC" time.

 

 

 

Conversion Table – Local Time To UTC Time
 

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What Is A Driver Smart Card?

In the new digital tachograph, the current paper chart is replaced with an electronic ‘smart card’. This smart card or ‘driver card’ is a white plastic card similar to a credit card in size and shape. It records activity and other details, similar to those now recorded on a conventional tachograph chart.

Driver Smart Card Front:                            Driver Smart Card Back:

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What Data Is Stored On A Driver Smart Card?

The driver card stores :

• Card identification data such as card no., issuing member state, card validity information e.t.c.

• Card holder identification such as name of driver, date of birth e.t.c.

• Driver licence information such as driving licence no., issuing authority name e.t.c.

• Vehicles used data such as date and time vehicle used, vehicle registration number e.t.c.

• Driver activity data such as date, total distance, driver status (Crew, Single), activity (Driving, Availability, Work, Break) e.t.c.

• Places where daily work periods start / end such as date and time of entry, type of entry, country, region e.t.c.

• Events and faults data such as time overlap, power supply interruption, security breach attempts, card faults e.t.c.

• Control activity data such as date and time of control, control card no. e.t.c.

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How Can One Apply For A Driver Smart Card?

Digital tachograph smart cards, driver cards, are now available. Application packs for driver cards can be ordered from DVLA by calling 0870 850 1074. They can also be obtained from local DVLA offices and VOSA testing stations.

There are two methods of ordering an application form, either by following the automated system which records your details, or by holding and speaking to a call centre operator.

From the day of ordering, the application form is currently being received within a few days. (This may increase, however, when the number of applications increases.)

For driver cards applications, for drivers with a current photo driving licence, the application is quite simple. Only a minimal amount of information is required – the form can be filled in, in a matter of minutes. Applications are currently being turned round in about seven days, though it can take up to 15 days.

For driver card applications, for drivers with non-photo driving licences, the application processes is a little more involved, as proof of identity is required. This “proof of identity” is in the form of a passport photograph which requires authentication, unless the applicant already possesses a digital UK passport. It is possible to apply for a photo driving licence at the same time by completing a driving licence application form D1.

Application packs for driver cards contain detailed information as to what is required, by whom, and how to complete the forms. (If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the help line at TAC on 0151 531 1004).

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The Driver Card Gets Lost – What Needs To Be Done?

Loss of a driver card is a serious issue. Driver cards can only be obtained from a special "Issuing Authority" - in the UK the DVLA. If the driver card gets lost, an application would have to be made to the Issuing Authority, who would provide the replacement driver card.

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The Driver Card Stops Working Or Gets Damaged – What Happens Then?

Continue to work normally, though record activity details manually. Apply to the Issuing Authority (DVLA) for a new driver card.

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Where Can ‘Driver Cards’ Be Obtained?

Driver cards can be obtained from the DVLA. They are currently available and can be applied for now.

A photocard licence will not be needed to get a Driver Card. However, DVLA suggest the application process may be quicker if a photocard licence is used for the application.

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How Much Will They Cost?

Driver cards obtained from the DVLA will cost £38. If a card is lost or stolen, the replacement fee will be £19.

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What Records Need To Be Kept If Driving With A Conventional Tachograph Then A Digital Tachograph?

Tachograph charts must be kept for each day a vehicle is used that has a conventional tachograph. When a vehicle with a digital tachograph is used, a print out will need to be taken from the digital tachograph at the end of the day and stored safely.

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Are There Any Benefits For The Driver?

The new system is electronic. There will be no need to complete centre field entries on a tachograph chart. If using a digital tachograph all the time, there will be no need to use tachograph charts whatsoever. The digital tachograph will also provide (by pressing buttons on the face of the instrument) details about driving, duty and break times etc.

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How Much Memory Does The Driver Smart Card Have?

At any one time the driver card holds typically 28 days of information about driver activities (the average activity of a driver is defined as 93 activity changes per day).

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What Happens When The Driver Card Memory Is Full?

The driver card holds typically 28 days of information about driver activities. This a "rolling" 28 days of information: information about the activities on day 29 would be recorded over the activity information for day 1; activity information for day 30 would be recorded over activity information for day 2, and so on.

Earlier data is lost and hence should be backed up on an external storage media.

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What Is A Company Smart Card?

This card is a “key” that enables access to the company details stored in the digital tachograph itself. It will enable operators to download information from digital tachographs.

Company cards will be available from the DVLA and cost £38.

Company Smart Card Front:                       Company Smart Card Back:

 

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What Data Is Stored On A Company Smart Card?

The company card stores :

• Card identification data such as card no., issuing member state, card validity information e.t.c.

• Card holder identification such as company name, company address

• Company activity data such as date and time of activity, type of activity, period downloaded, vehicle registration number e.t.c.

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How Can One Apply For A Company Smart Card?

Digital tachograph smart cards, company cards, are now available. Application packs for company cards can be ordered from DVLA by calling 0870 850 1074. They can also be obtained from local DVLA offices and VOSA testing stations.

There are two methods of ordering an application form, either by following the automated system which records your details, or by holding and speaking to a call centre operator.

From the day of ordering, the application form is currently being received within a few days. (This may increase, however, when the number of applications increases.)

Applications are currently being turned round in about seven days, though it can take up to 15 days.

Application packs for company cards contain detailed information as to what is required, by whom, and how to complete the forms. (If there are any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact the help line at TAC on 0151 531 1004).

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What Is A Workshop Smart Card?

Used by authorised workshops, this card allows calibration of the digital tachograph itself. It can also used to undertake checking of the digital tachograph.

These cards will be free-of-charge.

Workshop Smart Card Front:                       Workshop Smart Card Back:

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What Data Is Stored On A Workshop Smart Card?

The workshop smart card stores security elements, card identification, card holder information such as workshop name, address e.t.c., events and faults data, driver activity data, control activity data, calibration and time adjustment data.

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What Is A Control Smart Card?

Enforcement Authorities will use this card to access both company and workshop details stored in the digital tachograph.

These cards will be free-of-charge.

Control Smart Card Front:                           Control Smart Card Back:

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What Data Is Stored On A Control Smart Card?

This card holds the card identification data, card holder identification, control activity data such as date and time of the control, type of the control, period downloaded e.t.c.

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Will Digital Tachographs Have To Be Fitted To Existing Vehicles?

No. The new legislation does not require the automatic and mandatory replacement of a conventional tachograph with a digital tachograph.

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The Current Conventional Tachograph Breaks Down – Must It Be Replaced With A Digital Tachograph?

This is dependant on the age of the vehicle:

• If the vehicle was registered before 1st January 1996, the original conventional tachograph can be replaced with another conventional tachograph;

• If the vehicle was registered on, or after 1st January 1996, a digital tachograph must be used to replace the original conventional tachograph.

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The Digital Tachograph – Are There Any Benefits For The Operator?

As the system is totally electronic, details about the driver and the vehicle can be available virtually instantaneously. This can help driver and vehicle schedule planning on a daily basis in "real time". Over a period of time, these details can be used for long term planning of driver workloads and vehicle utilisation.

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How Can The Driver And The Operator Analyse Driver Card And Digital Tachograph Details?

Driver cards can be analysed using a special driver card reader. The Nemesis™ Driver Card reader will be obtained from TAC. Digital tachograph details can then be analysed with a personal computer using the specially designed Nemesis™ Digital Tachograph analysis software.

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