Tachograph Chart Symbols
Almost 70% of all tachograph infringements are due to wrong operation of the tachograph. So with a proper instruction and understanding of common situations, drivers can reduce their risks on fines dramatically. The most important button is the ‘mode’ or ‘mode switch’ button to correctly set the tachograph to record the applicable activities.
Tachograph symbols
Driving Symbol:
Set when the vehicle is in motion (automatically set by tachograph).
Break Symbol or Rest Period Symbol:
Break of work. Drivers may not carry out any work or other driving when this mode is set.
Available Symbol:
Waiting time eg. waiting on a ferry, waiting on others to load/unload the vehicle, or being the co-driver that is not working in any way (like navigating or other tasks).
Other work Symbol:
All work activities other than driving, for the same or another employer, regardless of sector.
Tachograph chart, we also have to assign a certain time to each speed value read from the chart. With regards to this task we should refer to this as a time-precise evaluation of tacho-graph charts instead of using the more com-mon term ‘microscopic’ evaluation, which denotes only one of the possible means of doing so. Those who work across different vehicles that are equipped with analogue and digital tachographs must be able to produce, when requested, digital tachograph printouts (plus any manual records), analogue tachograph charts and also driver cards.
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- Historically, tachographs used a paper chart record, but all new vehicles now use a digital system, whereby the driver uses their own card inserted into the vehicle unit. Do I need to use a tachograph? If the goods vehicle you are driving comes under EU or AETR rules then you must use a tachograph. Generally this relates to a goods vehicle with.
For more detailed information about tachograph modes and symbols, read this article.
Tachograph Misfunctioning/misuse
If the tachograph does not function properly or if the driver fails to operate the tachograph correctly, it’s highly recommended that the driver keeps a manual record to this effect. With a digital tachograph, the driver can make (and sign!) a manual printout for the period covering the error with a clear explanation what happened. Users of an analogue tachograph should use the back of the tachograph chart to do the same.
Remote Tacho Download
The Remote Tacho Download solution has been designed in order to unburden fleet managers by automating the download of digital tachograph files. Instead of manually downloading tachograph and driver data from the vehicle, our solution enables the fleet manager to see all digital tachograph files in one single platform. Data is sent via our control unit directly into the platform. All files are checked on completeness and integrity so you always know if your archive meets the regulations.
Double Manning
A vehicle is considered to be double-manned if, at any driving period, in between two daily or a daily and weekly rest period, the vehicle has two drivers on board (who are able to drive and have a tachograph card). The first hour of this driving time is optional, which means it is possible to pick up the second driver within one hour after the shift has started. In general, the same tachograph rules apply to both drivers, except for the daily rest rules. If double-manned, each driver must have a daily rest period of 9 hours within a 30-hour period that starts after the last daily or weekly rest period has ended.
Most digital tachographs will automatically set the mode for the second driver on ‘availability’. The second driver is not allowed to set the mode on his card to ‘break/rest’. Provided the second driver is not required to carry out any work during this time, enforcement authorities will accept the first 45 minutes of this time as a break from driving*. Any periods of other work, however, must be manually recorded on a printout or chart by the driver.
Read our detailed article about double manning here.
Tachograph Chart Symbols Image
* Local rules may apply on a country basis.
Traveling Time
When the vehicle is not at the (standard) employers location or the home address of the driver, the time the driver spends to get to this location, cannot be counted as rest or break. No matter which mode or transport is used. The only exception is when the driver is on a ferry or train whit access (and use!) of a bunk or couchette. Traveling must always be recorded as ‘other work’ or ‘availability’.
Recording Other Work
‘Other work’ means all activities which are defined as working time in Article 3(a) of Directive 2002/15/EC, except for ‘driving’. It includes all work for the same, or another employer, regardless of sector.
In a week when in-scope driving activities take place, all previous ‘other work’ since the last rest period (daily or weekly rest), should be manually recorded in the tachograph. Drivers can input their working history up to 28 days before. Other options to record this are:
- Manually written and signed on chart (analogue tacho)
- Manually written and signed on printout (digital tacho)
Mixed use of digital and analogue tachograph
When a driver uses both digital and analogue tachographs, he needs to make sure that all data is recorded properly. This means using a driver card to record the data on the card when using a digital tachograph and using an analog chart when using the analogue tacho and keep them together.
Any time away from the vehicle should be recorded on one place; the digital card (using the manual input) OR the chart (using the back of the chart). It’s not necessary to record it on both.
Work for multiple transport companies
When a driver works for multiple transport companies, the driver must provide each company with all necessary information to make sure that both driver and company meet all rules and regulations.
There are many different symbols that are used on digital tachographs to depict different driver statuses and help drivers prevent accidental infringements. The key symbols that everyone who uses a digital tachograph should ensure they know are Drive, Available, Rest/Break and Other Work.
Digital tachographs have become an indispensable tool for the purposes of fleet management, now widely used throughout the transport sector. Tachographs are devices fitted to vehicles that record and store various different types of data – including journey distance, speed and driving time.
They can help to provide evidence that drivers abide by EU Drivers’ Hours regulations, as they are obliged to. But getting to grips with tachograph devices isn’t always easy. In this FAQ, we will aim to answer key questions on what tacho software is about.
Q: What do tachograph symbols mean?
A: There are many different tachograph symbols, and remembering the meaning of all of them is far from simple. However, there are certain key symbols which everyone who uses tachographs should ensure they get to know. These include:
Drive – this means, as is no doubt obvious, that the driver is active. It is automatically recorded as such on most tachographs and hence there is no need for drivers to deliberately select this option.
Available – this indicates the driver’s availability. Periods of availability include waiting time, for example taking a vehicle via ferry or waiting for loading and unloading.
Rest/break – another self-explanatory one, this symbol denotes both in-work breaks and daily/weekly rest periods.
Other work – indicates that the driver is logged in and doing work other than driving. This may include work for more than one employer, and even work outside the transport and fleet sector.
Q: What do digital tachograph systems consist of?
A: There are three main components to digital tachograph systems. These are the vehicle unit, smart cards and motion sensor. Of these, the vehicle unit (located in the driver’s cab) is the most important. Among other things it includes card slots, a printer and a display screen. The motion sensor, meanwhile, is situated on the gearbox and transmits data to the vehicle unit on the speed of the vehicle and the distance it travels. There are various types of smart card which can be used with the card slots, with drivers’ cards being the most relevant for our purposes here. Drivers must have a driver card when driving a vehicle equipped with a digital tachograph – this is an EU requirement. Where such a vehicle is used without a driver’s card, this will be recorded by the vehicle unit although it will not immobilise the vehicle.
Q: What procedures are drivers using digital tachographs required to follow in order to comply with tachograph regulations?
A: Drivers must confirm their starting location when prompted by the device and continually ensure that their digital tacho is set to the correct mode throughout the course of their shift. If, however, the tachograph is faulty or they’re unsure of how to use it, they must inform the relevant operator – who they must also permit to download data from their card. If they can’t use their card for whatever reason, drivers must provide written manual entries for these periods. It is mandatory that drivers are able to produce relevant records at the roadside. Furthermore, drivers must check that their tachograph doesn’t need recalibrating and make sure that they have adequate supplies of print roll in the vehicle.
Q: What happens when the vehicle is manned by more than one driver (‘multi-manning’)?
A: In the case of multi-manning, the crew member tasked with driving should insert their card into one slot and their co-worker into a second. Each crew member should use the mode change button for their slot. This should ensure that once the journey commences, the driver’s status automatically changes to ‘driving’ while their colleague is recorded as ‘available’. When the two crew members change places, they should swap their respective cards around.
Q: What duties do fleet operators have in relation to digital tachograph data?
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A: Operators have various responsibilities when it comes to digital tacho data. They are obliged to download and store data from drivers’ cards and vehicle units, as well as keeping a watchful eye on drivers’ records and printouts. They must report instances of non-compliance with drivers’ hours regulations, incidents of excess speeding, missing activities and missing start/end locations. In addition, operators are responsible for training drivers to use tachograph systems, ensure proper use of drivers’ cards, and making sure that tachograph devices are properly calibrated and in full working order.