legal guide to UK motoring, sections for law enforcement, Driver licensing, learner and new drivers, buying and selling, speeding fines, owning a vehicle, wheel clamping, traffic information
 
Your legal guide to motoring
 
 

HGV
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS

 
   
   
   
   
   
   
   



Analogue Tachograph
 


Analogue tachograph recordings are made by a stylus cutting traces into a wax-coated chart. Three separate styluses mark recordings of speed, distance travelled and the driver's activity (known as the 'mode'). The inner part of the chart is used by the driver to write his name, the location of the start and end of the journey, the date and odometer readings.

The reverse of a tachograph chart normally contains an area for recording manual entries and details of other vehicles driven during the period covered. rules Tachograph 4: SECTION










Charts and records

Drivers are responsible for operating the tachograph correctly in order to record their activities accurately and fully. Specifically, drivers must:

• verify, before using an instrument, that it is correctly calibrated via the attached plaques and ensure that the time displayed is set to the official time of the country in which the vehicle is registered;

• carry enough charts for the whole journey, including spare charts in case any become damaged or dirty;

• use a second chart if a chart is damaged while in use and attach this one to the first chart on completion. There are other occasions when use of a second chart in a 24-hour period is unavoidable, namely when a driver changes to a vehicle with an incompatible tachograph to the chart in use or he changes vehicle so many times that all the details cannot be accommodated on one chart;

• ensure that the correct type of chart is being used for the specific model of tachograph in use and that enough spare charts are carried;

• not use a chart to cover a period longer than 24 hours;

• enter centrefield details at the first use of the chart, when changing vehicles and when completing the use of the chart

• correctly operate the mode switch in order to record their activities accurately

• make manual entries on the chart in respect of their activities away from the vehicle where the rules have been departed from in an emergency, or to correct a recording;

• make manual entries when the equipment malfunctions and report any such malfunctions to the operator or employer;

• return used charts to the operator or employer within the 42 days. This requirement must be complied with even when a driver changes employer;

• permit an Authorised Examiner or police officer to examine the tachograph;

• not remove the chart from the tachograph before the end of their duty period unless authorised to do so. The rules do not specify who can authorise removal of the chart, but cases where charts can be removed include:

- a change of vehicle;
- to make manual entries in the event of an emergency, equipment malfunction etc.; and u

• be able to produce at the roadside:

- charts and any legally required manual records for the current day and the previous 28 calendar days; and
- the driver's digital smart card if they hold one

Manual entries

Drivers must produce a record of their whole daily working period. So when drivers are unable to operate the tachograph, have not been allocated a vehicle, or are working away from the vehicle and have had to remove their tachograph chart, they must manually record their activities on the chart. Manual entries may also be needed at other times - for example, if the tachograph develops a fault or in the event of an emergency (see page 22, 'Unforeseen events'). Employers may also ask drivers to indicate on a chart where their duty (or rest) begins and ends, so that they can ensure a full record has been submitted. Most analogue charts have a specified place to make manual entries (usually on the reverse).

However, manual entries can be made anywhere on the chart provided that they are clear and do not obliterate other recordings.

The following are examples of manual records.



This is an example of manual entries made on the rear of a tachograph chart by a driver who started his day at 06.00 with an hour's work doing other duties away from his vehicle. He also finished his day with an hour of other work away from his vehicle and has indicated both the end and the start of a daily rest period. His activities while with the vehicle are recorded by the instrument on the other side of the chart once it has been inserted.



This is an example of manual entries made by a driver who changed vehicles at 12.00 in London and continued his duties before finishing in Bristol. All the details of his activities and his name are entered on the other side of the chart.



This is an example of manual entries made by a driver who discovered a tachograph fault at 12.00. He has used the preprinted matrix to indicate his activities for the remainder of his duty until 18.30. He has also noted the reason for his keeping a manual record. All other details are entered on the other side of the chart.