In the world of road transport, data management is essential to ensure safety and compliance with regulations. Among the most important data are those recorded by the digital tachograph, which must be downloaded periodically for analysis and storage.
How to download digital tachograph data
There are several ways to download digital tachograph data:
Manual download
– USB stick → Allows you to download both the mass memory data of the tachograph and the driver card data: in the first case, the USB stick is connected directly to the front port of the tachograph (6-pin port), while for the driver card there is a special reader integrated into the USB stick itself – the data is saved on the device and can subsequently be manually transferred to a computer (via files with the .DDD extension) using the USB port.
– Fixed terminal → Used for the downloading of driver card data by the drivers themselves autonomously, even outside of office hours and in unstaffed locations: the driver only needs to insert the card into the appropriate reader of the terminal and wait for the data download to occur, which in this case is transferred directly to the tachograph data storage software connected to the terminal itself. Additionally, the terminal is equipped with a USB port to which a flash drive can be connected, allowing for the downloading of mass memory data from the tachograph (or from the driver card) after manually downloading them.
Remote download
– Control units → These are devices mounted and directly connected to the tachograph for the purpose of automatically downloading both the driver card data and the tachograph memory at fixed intervals (for example, once a week, depending on the model of the control unit) via GPRS networks. The control unit often allows for tracking the vehicle's location.
Data download frequency
For all vehicles equipped with a digital tachograph, there is an obligation to transfer (download) the driver card data and mass memory data to a device that allows for reading, keeping them archived for AT LEAST 1 year. The download frequency is AT LEAST every 28 days for the driver card data, and AT LEAST every 90 days for the vehicle data.
Conclusion
The data download of the digital tachograph is a fundamental operation for the proper functioning of the system for controlling drivers' driving and rest activities. Complying with regulations regarding the frequency of data downloads and storage is essential to ensure road safety and adherence to current laws.