What is a tachograph and how does it work?

The tachograph is an essential device in road traffic, used in particular in commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses. Its main function is to record various driving parameters, including speed, distance traveled and the driver’s driving times. In modern traffic monitoring, the tachograph plays a central role in ensuring compliance with legal regulations and increasing safety on the roads.

In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about tachographs, how they work, the different types and their importance for road safety. We also take a look at the legal requirements and the technical developments of recent years.

The basics of the tachograph

A tachograph, also known as a tachograph, is a device that has been mandatory in commercial road traffic for decades. Its main task is to automatically monitor and document the activities of a vehicle and its driver. This is done to ensure compliance with legal regulations, particularly with regard to driving times and rest periods.

Legal basis
The obligation to use a tachograph arises from various regulations, including European Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006, which stipulates that vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons and buses with more than nine seats must be equipped with a tachograph.

Functionality of the tachograph

A tachograph continuously records the data of the vehicle and the driver. A distinction is made between analog and digital tachographs, which differ greatly in their functionality and technology.

Analog tachographs

Analog tachographs were the first devices of their kind and were used for many decades. They consist of a mechanical system that records the vehicle data on a special paper disk, the so-called tachograph disk. This disk rotates while driving and stores information such as speed, driving time and breaks in the form of curves.

Recording method: A needle draws the data in the form of lines and circles on the speedometer disk.
Manual entries: The driver must insert the speedometer disk and set the device manually before starting the journey.

Digital tachographs

The digital tachograph has been mandatory for all newly registered vehicles in the EU since 2006. It replaces analog systems and offers numerous advantages, particularly in terms of accuracy and protection against manipulation.

Electronic recording: All data is stored digitally on a driver card and in the device itself.
Automatic data recording: The digital tachograph automatically records speed, driving time and distance traveled.
Data evaluation: The stored data can be read out and analyzed using special readers.

Setup of a digital tachograph

A digital tachograph consists of several components that work together to record and store the necessary data.

Vehicle unit (VU)
The vehicle unit is the central element of the digital tachograph. It is permanently installed in the vehicle and is used for data storage and display.
Driver card
The driver card is a personalized chip card that is issued to every professional driver. It is used to identify and store individual driving data. Every driver is obliged to use their driver card while driving.
Sensors and cabling
Sensors on the transmission record the speed and distance traveled. This data is transmitted directly to the vehicle unit.

Legal requirements and obligations for drivers and operators

The use of a tachograph is subject to strict legal regulations. Both drivers and companies must comply with these requirements in order to avoid sanctions.

Obligations of drivers

Use of the personal driver card
Compliance with driving and rest times
Manual entry of certain activities (e.g. start and end of work)

Obligations of entrepreneurs

Provision of a proper tachograph
Regular checking and archiving of driving data
Training drivers in the use of the tachograph

Driving and rest times
One of the most important functions of the tachograph is monitoring driving and rest times. Compliance with these times is crucial to ensure road safety and avoid accidents caused by fatigue. The most important requirements are

Daily driving time: Maximum 9 hours (twice a week up to 10 hours)
Weekly driving time: Maximum 56 hours
Rest period: At least 11 hours a day, which can be reduced to 9 hours in certain cases

Modern developments and the intelligent tachograph

In recent years, tachograph technology has developed considerably. One of the most significant innovations is the so-called intelligent tachograph (smart tachograph).

Functions of the intelligent tachograph

GNSS positioning: recording of the location at the start and end of the journey and every three hours during the journey
Remote monitoring: Control authorities can read out certain data remotely while driving in order to carry out targeted checks.
Improved tamper protection: New encryption techniques make tampering considerably more difficult.

The intelligent tachograph helps to improve the efficiency of roadside checks and facilitate compliance with legal regulations.

Why are tachographs important?

The importance of the tachograph goes far beyond compliance with legal requirements. It is an indispensable tool for increasing road safety and improving the working conditions of professional drivers.

Increasing road safety

Monitoring driving and rest times helps to prevent driver fatigue – one of the main causes of serious road accidents.

Protection of drivers’ rights

The tachograph also protects drivers’ rights by providing objective documentation of their working hours. This prevents overtime and ensures fair working conditions.

Facilitation of controls

The tachograph makes it easier for control authorities to check vehicles and drivers. Digital systems enable the data to be evaluated quickly and precisely.

Conclusion

The tachograph is an indispensable tool in modern road traffic. Its main task is to ensure compliance with driving and rest periods and thus increase safety on the roads. While analog systems have now largely been replaced by digital tachographs, the intelligent tachograph represents a further step towards the future.

It is crucial for both drivers and companies to know the legal requirements and to use the tachograph correctly. The continuous development of the technology will certainly open up new opportunities in the coming years to further increase safety and efficiency in road traffic.