Introduction
Driving without a tachograph card represents a significant violation of transport regulations, with serious consequences for both drivers and companies. The penalties provided by Italian law are severe and include fines, point deductions from the license, and suspensions. This article explores what the regulations entail, the allowed exceptions, and best practices to avoid penalties and ensure compliance with the rules.
Driving without a tachograph card: what are the penalties?
The penalty for driving without a tachograph card is quite severe. Italian law provides for various penalties in case of violation, depending on the severity of the offense and the type of vehicle. If driving without the tachograph card, the driver risks a fine of € 866, in addition to a deduction of 10 points from the license and a suspension of the same from 15 days to 3 months, as provided by art. 179 of the Highway Code. If it is not possible to identify who committed the driving without a card, the transport company would receive a penalty of the same amount of € 866, and would be required to communicate the details of the offender within 60 days, under penalty of an additional fine of € 291, as provided by art. 126 Bis of the Highway Code.
According to what is established by Regulation (EU) 165/2014 in art. 34, the driver is obliged to use the driver card every day and to insert it into the appropriate slot of the tachograph as soon as they take over the vehicle.
Attention: anyone in possession of a valid driver card is required to insert it in any circumstance that requires the movement of a vehicle, including when driving within a private area with the OUT function active.
Exceptions
Driving without the tachograph card is allowed only in special cases, such as malfunction, damage, loss, or theft of the card. In these cases, the driver must request a replacement of the card within 7 days at the Chamber of Commerce. The latter will provide a replacement card within 8 working days from the request. If the request is due to theft or loss, a report is required, while in the case of malfunction or damage, the non-functioning card must be submitted.
During the period of up to 15 calendar days from the request, the driver may drive without the tachograph card provided that they make and keep, for each work shift, both at the beginning and at the end of the shift, a printout of the 24 hours of vehicle activity, noting their personal details on the back of each printout.
How to avoid penalties
To avoid penalties for driving without a tachograph card, it is essential that every driver and transport company complies with current regulations. Before any movement of the vehicle, the driver must ensure that the tachograph card is correctly inserted and functioning. Additionally, it is crucial to regularly monitor the correct use of the tachograph, avoiding errors that could compromise the validity of the recorded data.
Conclusions
Driving without a tachograph card incurs heavy penalties for both the driver and the company. Violations can have significant economic and legal consequences, as well as compromise road safety. To avoid problems, it is essential to follow the regulations regarding the use of the tachograph card, ensuring that all devices are compliant before getting behind the wheel. If you want to learn more about how to avoid penalties or how to properly use the tachograph card, visit our site and discover all the most up-to-date information.