Examiners will be able to access time adjustment and calibration data, as well ... The new generation digital tachograph
New Generation Tachographs Separating Fact from Fiction
A 'new generation tachograph unit’ will be required to be fitted in new vehicles registered from around 2019 (the specific date has yet to be confirmed). The new tachograph units will include a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) source to produce a location stamp at the start and end of driving and at three hour intervals, a wireless enforcement function to communicate to enforcement officers possible manipulation (but not driving and break data) and the integration with Intelligent Transport Systems such as telematics equipment. However, it is important to emphasise that enforcement officers will not be able to access a full download of a Vehicle Unit (VU) or a driver’s card. Its purpose is more basic and will check that the tachograph understands that the vehicle is moving and that a driver’s card has been inserted. Examiners will be able to access time adjustment and calibration data, as well as the speed recorded by the digital tachograph and the vehicle registration number. The new generation digital tachographs will give examiners some basic indications on compliance before deciding whether to stop the driver for a full roadside check. Operators and drivers will undoubtedly have concerns about this as, in effect, it is another pair of eyes interrogating the tachograph. Roadside enforcement teams will be greatly assisted by the new digital tachographs as they will be able to access details of the latest attempted security breaches, the longest power supply interruption, sensor faults, motion data errors and any vehicle motion conflicts. The specifications in this new tachograph will undoubtedly crack down on fraud. The DVSA have found that increasingly they are conducting large scale investigations involving several drivers and large amounts of missing mileage. This is often down to poor record checking and tachograph data not matching up with time sheets, as well as drivers creating false records. Very occasionally it is down to fraudulent devices designed to modify records or data to cover up substantial numbers of journeys on public roads. The fitment of the new tachograph for enforcement purposes in existing vehicles will not be mandatory for 15 years following its introduction.
