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Tag: digital tachograph

Can you prove the speed on a digital tachograph

Forensic Tachograph Speed Analysis

As a tachograph analysis bureau we are always getting people asking for forensic analysis for some reason or another. The most common reasons are either a traffic accident, speeding fine or because someone has made false claim of damage against the driver.

On the traditional paper tachograph charts you can see the speed trace and get a fairly accurate reading. Especially if you use a trained analyst and and infrared scanner to get the most accurate reading possible.

However the digital tachographs are not so easy to get the accurate speed data and you need to make sure you act fast to get it. The digital tachograph vehicle unit does store the exact speed data for every second of driving but only for 24 hours of driving.

Here is how to get the Speed data from a digital tachograph

To get this detailed speed data you need to do a full download on the vehicle unit. If you use the same digital tachograph downloading device as we do, which you can see at the link below, then you need to make sure you choose the button which says “All VU” and not the one which you would normally use every 56 days which says “Latest VU”. If you use a different product just give us a call and we will help you figure out how to get the data you need.

https://chartwise-online.com/compliance/remote-downloader-rdl/

Once you have the file you then need to get it analysed by a bureau who have the skills and software to carry out forensic analysis on vehicle files.

Remember it is 24 hours of driving time so you may still be able to get the data for a specific time 3 days ago as long as the vehicle has not done more that 24 hours of driving since the event.

25 October 2013
How to keep tachograph records the right way
Everything you need to know about keeping tachograph records

One of the questions that I’m asked nearly every day is “What records do I have to keep to remain compliant with the tachogaph regulations?” .

Both Drivers and operators have to keep a paper trail in order to remain compliant. I have listed some of the drivers responsibilities below and split these into Analogue and Digital Tachographs.

Analogue Tachograph Records
- Make sure the time is set to the official time of the country in which the vehicle is registered.
- Inform the operator if the tachograph is faulty of you are unsure of how to use it correctly.
- Check the seals and inspection dates to make sure the tachograph does not need a recalibration or inspection.
- Make sure you have a chart which is compatible with that specific tachograph unit.
- Ensure that you always use the correct mode switch during your shift.
- Complete all centrefield details on every chart (The Total KM field is not a legal requirement however it is good practice)
- Always make written manual entries when working away from the vehicle or if you have had to break the rules due to an emergency.
- Always record the registration, odometer reading and time of changeover whenever you change vehicle during a shift.
- Make sure you always have the current day plus the last 28 calendar days worth of records on your person — or 56 days if you are on an international journey to or from the EU (this means all charts, your digital driver card and any manual entries and holiday records)
- Finally you must return the charts which you are no longer required to keep, to the Operator License holder as soon as possible. It is mandatory that these charts are in the possession of the O License holder within 42 days. (Note: Operators must keep these charts for a minimum of 12 months. If used for working time records under the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005 they must be kept for 24 months).
Digital Tachograph Records
- Check that the tachograph unit does not need a recalibration (this can be found on a sticker inside the drivers door)
- You must inform the operator if you think the tachograph is faulty or you are unsure of how to use it correctly.
- Make sure there are enough printer rolls in the vehicle (there must be one in the tachograph head and one spare in the cab.
- When first inserting the drivers card you must complete any manual entries in UTC (Note: This is not always local Time)
- You must also set the start location as prompted.
- Make sure the correct mode is chosen throughout the shift. (This is done automatically when the vehicle begins to move or when it is stationary for over 2 minutes so really all you need to remember it to set it to break mode)
- Make a printout and provide written manual entries when it is impossible to use the card, if you have had to break the rules due to an emergency or if an enforcement officer requests it. (You may also be asked to sign that it is a true record)
- Make sure you always have the current day plus the last 28 calendar days worth of records on your person — or 56 days if you are on an international journey to or from the EU (this means all charts, your digital driver card and any manual entries and holiday records)
- Finally you must allow the operator to download the data from your card when requested. This should be done at least every 28 days by law.
This covers every thing related to the tachograph records you need to keep however as a driver you must also carry certain items all the time which I have covered in this blog post – What do HGV and PSV drivers need to carry at all times

I hope this was useful and if you have any questions please feel free to get in touch by calling (0191) 4915032 of sending an email via the contact form.
22 August 2013
Can you take a break in a moving vehicle

Taking a break as a 2nd man

Just a quick one this week. I have had 4 calls this week asking the same question, 3 of which came on the same day, so I assume DVSA may be targeting this right now.

People are asking if you are allowed to take a break while having your card in the 2nd man slot, and the first man is driving. The answer is very simple, ‘Yes’.

The reason this is an issue, arises from the fact that a digital tachograph will not let you record a break if the vehicle is moving. This includes if your card is in the 2nd man slot. I agree, this is strange, but it’s just the way it is.

This means your print outs and card downloads will definitely record you as having had no break when doing a double man shift. This is of course wrong and some people will view this as an infringement. When we analyse digital tachograph data and produce the reports we always investigate large periods of availability and if the vehicle is found to be moving at that time we are able to change the report to reflect a break. This is only possible if you are manually checking the data before producing a report and most of the automated tachograph analysis programs will miss this and produce a report which is incorrect so be careful with these. That is why our tachograph analysis service still uses real people to verify the reports before sending them to a client.

You must of course bear in mind, that if you are doing ‘ANY’ kind of work while not driving, i.e navigation, paper work or cleaning the vehicle etc, then you should be using the Other Work/Cross Hammers mode to represent this.

As always if you have any questions please give me a call on (0191)4915032 or drop me an email.

22 April 2013