The digital tachograph is an electronic device installed in commercial vehicles that automatically records any activity, both of the vehicle and the driver. The purpose of this function is to monitor and control that activities are carried out according to current regulations. Below are the main obligations arising from various official regulations:
- Obligation to use the tachograph → Applies to all goods transport vehicles with a maximum capacity (weight) GREATER than 3.5T and all vehicles intended for the transport of people with more than 9 seats INCLUDING the driver (Regulation 561 of 2006).
- Obligation to download data → For all vehicles equipped with a digital tachograph, there is an obligation to transfer (download) the data from the driver card and the mass memory to a device that allows reading, keeping them archived for AT LEAST 1 year (Reg. 561/2006). The download frequency is AT LEAST every 28 days for the driver card data, and AT LEAST every 90 days for the vehicle data (Reg. 581/2010).
- Obbligo di formazione → Le aziende DEVONO formare i conducenti (Reg. 165/2014) tramite un corso di almeno 8 ore svolto da docenti autorizzati e certificato al termine del corso stesso (queste specifiche modalità di formazione sono specificate nel Decreto Dirigenziale 215/2016). The validity of the certificate is 5 years.
- Obligation to control and report violations → In addition to the courses, to verify the correct use of the tachograph, companies MUST regularly notify drivers of the violations committed (AT LEAST every 90 days), keeping the data for AT LEAST 1 year (Reg. 165/2014 and D.D. 215/2016). Drivers must countersign the notification.
- Obligation of instruction → Companies must also provide drivers (ANNUALLY) with updated informational documentation regarding the correct use of the tachograph (Article 33 of Reg. 165/2014 and Article 10 of Reg. 561/2006).
- Obligation to calibrate the tachograph → Companies (NOT dealerships) MUST calibrate the device at an authorized technical center (workshop) WITHIN 15 days from the date of registration (Reg. 3821/85).
- Obligation to verify calibration → Companies are required to verify and, if necessary, recalibrate the tachographs EVERY 2 years (Article 23 of Reg.165/2014).
- Obligation to have printer paper on board → In order to allow for a possible check, the driver is required to have a sufficient amount of printer paper (Article 33 of Reg. 165/2014).
What are the types of digital tachographs?
The models of tachographs from 2006 to today are grouped into 2 generations, one of which is further divided into 2 (so for simplicity, they can also be defined as 3 separate generations). These subdivisions are due to technical characteristics and functionalities that clearly separate some models from others.
Gen. 1 – Digital tachographs
- Includes all digital models produced from 2006 until the end of 2018.
- VDO tachographs from model 1.0 to model 3.0a → “Gen. 1”.
- Stoneridge tachographs from model 5.0 to model 7.6 → “Gen. 1”.
Gen. 2 – Intelligent digital tachographs
- Models produced mandatorily starting from June 2019 with advanced characteristics and functionalities (mainly the GNSS antenna and the DSCR).
- VDO tachographs models 4.0 – 4.0e – 4.0f → “Gen. 2”.
- Stoneridge tachograph model 8.0 → “Gen. 2”.
Gen. 2 V2 – Second generation intelligent tachographs
- Newly produced models from 2023 with new functionalities compared to “Gen. 2” (mainly the automatic country change and the “loading/unloading” function).
- VDO tachograph model 4.1 → “Gen. 2 V2”.
- Stoneridge tachograph model 8.1 → “Gen. 2 V2”.
Conclusion
The digital tachograph represents a fundamental tool to ensure road safety, compliance with regulations, and the protection of drivers' rights. Its implementation has significantly contributed to improving the transport landscape, making it safer and compliant with current regulations.