tachographs, tachograph analysis, tachograph chart analysis, tachograph analysis software, digital tachograph analysis, drivers card analysis, drivers hours, drivers hours legislation, tachograph charts and supplies, tachograph law.

We are a one stop site for tachograph chart analysis and digital tachograph analysis, drivers hours legislation, tachograph charts and supplies, and tachograph legislation. 

Reading Charts

There are no data entry keys on the reader, all chart entry is completed by using the number pad on the PC keyboard, for which a simple template is supplied.

 

If you are using a Laptop computer or non-standard keyboard then you will not be able to use the keyboard template supplied, however the keys used are still the same as described here.

To Add a New Chart

Log on to your account and click on Chart Analyser, which will bring up the centrefield screen. 

Load the chart onto the reader and close the plastic cursor over it. You are ready to enter the basic centrefield details that will uniquely identify the chart.
1 Select Driver
2 Enter Start Location
3 Enter Finish Location
4 Enter chart start date
5 Select Vehicle
6 Enter the finish odometer
7 Enter the start odometer
 
Check around the chart to see that all three traces are working correctly, check for overspeeds and any unusual traces.

Press Next at the bottom of the page, then next again
1. Turn the chart and turntable so that the charts midnight marker (24) is aligned with the line engraved on the plastic cursor.

Press the "HOME" key on the PC keyboard. The PC speaker will beep and the LED at the rear of the reader will illuminate.

 2. Turn the chart anti-clockwise until the start (Left hand edge) of the first work activity is aligned with the line on the plastic cursor.

Now press a key on the PC keyboard to record the first activity. If this is driving press the "NUM LOCK" key or "D".

3. Turn the chart anti-clockwise until the start of the next change of duty.

In this case it is other duty so you would press " * " or 

" P."

Move through the chart pressing the key relative to each mode change.

 4. To record the end of the chart turn the chart and turntable anti-clockwise until the the end of the last activity (Right hand edge) is aligned with the line on the plastic cursor, then press "END" on the PC Keyboard. 5. Click on the "Save" button on the chart entry control.

If you have noticed any faults, or need to amend times enter them before clicking save.

Click on images for larger view.

Rest at the beginning or end of chart

The program will not accept rest at the beginning or end of a chart.  If this duty is read as rest it will be included in the daily rest, before the start of the chart or after the finish.  

To count this rest you must read 1 minute of other duty before or after the rest period to start or end the analysis.  

If the first activity recorded on the chart is a rest mode press "*" or "P", (other duty),  move the chart turntable slightly to record about 1 minute other duty, then select rest "-" or "R" and continue to analyse the chart.   The same applies to rest at the end of the chart.  Continue almost to the end of the traces and about 1 minute from the end record about 1 minute of other duty, "*" or "P".  

Use the table below for a full list of the keys to use with the reader.

Driving Activity On Chart Numeric Key Alpha Key
Drive

Num Lock D
Active / A
Passive * P
Rest - R

For very short activities take care not to move the turntable backwards (Clockwise). As the chart is rotated and work activities are recorded the reader will calculate the duration of the activities and transmit them to your PC. These will appear in the activity list.

Once you've analysed a chart, always check distance trace between the chart you have just analysed and the one that you are about to analyse.


The service is now ready for you to either add another tachograph chart or to run reports against the chart just entered. The total time required to enter an average tachograph chart with between 15 and 25 working activities will not normally exceed 1 to 2 minutes.

REMEMBER - ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED ANALYSING CHARTS YOU MUST SIGN OFF.  DO NOT JUST CLOSE DOWN THE ANALYSIS PROGRAM.

Analysing charts - Tips

  • Following the previous instructions analyse the first chart.

  • Once you have analysed the chart, if you have seen any faults whilst analysing the chart enter them onto the chart.  When you are satisfied save the chart.  Remove it from the reader and replace it with the next the next chart to be analysed.

  • Spin the chart around and check for any faults (refer to faults list) and all three traces again.  If it is the same vehicle as the previous chart and the start odometer reading is the same as the finish for the previous chart check that the distance traces match.  If they do not the vehicle has been moved between charts and there is an odometer error.  IT COULD BE A FALSE RECORD, ESPECIALLY WHERE THE VEHICLE IS AWAY FROM BASE WITH ONLY ONE DRIVER.  (for details of this visit www.tachochart.com  information sheet 24

  • Check for overspeeds.  If the vehicle is over 12,000kilos (12 Tonnes) check the speed limiters restricting to 90km/hr.

  • Analyse the chart keeping an eye on all three traces, ensuring that driving, other duty and rest periods are recorded correctly.

Before printing check

1.  Once you have analysed the charts for an individual driver check all of the following on the charts before printing.  You can

     do this by going to Reports and viewing the Drivers Letter UK for the driver.

a.      Drivers name (sometimes other drivers use the same vehicle)          

b.      Vehicle registration.                                                                 

c.      Date.

d.      Locations.

e.      Odometer readings ( a change means a change of vehicle that you may have missed)

2.  Be sure that you have not forgotten to enter a fault that may be present. For example if there is a speed trace fault on all  

     charts make sure that you have entered it before saving the chart.

3.  If there is an insufficient daily rest check the start and finish times on that and the next chart.  In each case there should be 

     9hrs not for example 8.58.

4.  Third drives in a week, or fourth rest reduction, check previous charts in the week to see that there are no 10.58 or so rests,

     or 9.58 drives etc.

5.  Weekly rest should be minimum of 36hrs at base 24hrs away from base.  Make sure it is not just below this.

4.  Failing to take weekly rest after too many driving periods or days.  Make sure that charts have not been entered for the

    wrong dates.

6.  If there is a week of the same fault with one day missing check that you have not forgotten to enter the fault on that day.

Top