A Tachographs is required for:

• All vehicles used for carrying goods with a maximum GVW exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
• All vehicles used for carrying goods with a maximum GTW exceeding 3.5 tonnes.
• All vehicles used for carrying goods with trailer also used for carrying goods with combined maximum GTW exceeding 3.5 tonnes GCW.
• Passenger vehicles designed to carry more than 9 people (EC) or 17 people (UK).

A Tachograph will automatically record:

• Distance travelled by vehicle
• Vehicles speed
• Driving time
• Periods of work by driver
• Breaks from work and daily rest periods
• Opening the case containing record chart

For vehicles manned by two drivers-the driving time, periods of work and breaks from work and daily rest periods must be recorded separately and simultaneously for each driver.

The Employers responsibilities:

• Tachograph must be calibrated and sealed by approved centre before a vehicle is put into service.
• It must be checked every 2 years, recalibrated every 6 years.
• Must ensure drivers know their responsibilities.
• Drivers must have sufficient charts for a journey.
• Charts must be returned to employer within 21 days of use.
• Charts must be kept for a year; available for inspection by police or traffic examiners.

The Drivers responsibilities:

• Must use a chart as soon as he takes over a vehicle and keep the tachograph running while responsible for the vehicle.
• During a daily working period the chart can be transferred to other vehicles driven by the driver during that period.
• Drivers must keep charts from the current week and the chart for the last day of the previous week.

Handwritten driver entries: