DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the digital tachograph driver card used for?
- Storing the individual driver's personal driving data — it must be inserted before driving (Correct answer)
- Starting the vehicle's engine remotely
- Verifying the driver's commercial licence category
- Activating the vehicle's GPS tracking system
Correct answer: Storing the individual driver's personal driving data — it must be inserted before driving
The digital tachograph driver card is personal to the driver and stores up to 28 days of driving data. It must be inserted into the tachograph before starting any journey covered by regulations.
Question 2: What should a driver do if their digital tachograph driver card malfunctions mid-journey?
- Make manual paper records for the rest of the journey and report the malfunction to the employer (Correct answer)
- Stop driving immediately until a new card is obtained
- Continue driving normally — the vehicle memory stores all data
- Switch to the back-up analogue mode if fitted
Correct answer: Make manual paper records for the rest of the journey and report the malfunction to the employer
If the driver card malfunctions, the driver must continue with manual records (paper printouts or written records), report the fault to the employer promptly, and apply for a replacement card within 7 days.
Question 3: What does the tachograph record when the vehicle is stationary but the engine is running?
- Other work or availability time — depending on which mode the driver selects (Correct answer)
- Driving time — engine running is treated as driving
- Rest time automatically
- Nothing — stationary time is not recorded
Correct answer: Other work or availability time — depending on which mode the driver selects
When stationary with the engine running, the tachograph records whatever mode the driver has selected — typically 'other work' if actively working or 'availability' if waiting for loading. The driver must set this correctly.
Question 4: What is the penalty for tampering with or falsifying tachograph records?
- A serious criminal offence — can result in prosecution, heavy fines, and driving licence disqualification (Correct answer)
- A minor fixed charge penalty
- Automatic suspension of the driver's CPC card
- Only applies to employers — not individual drivers
Correct answer: A serious criminal offence — can result in prosecution, heavy fines, and driving licence disqualification
Tampering with tachograph records is a serious criminal offence under EU law. Penalties include prosecution, substantial fines, and disqualification from driving commercial vehicles.
Question 5: What is an 'out-of-scope' journey for tachograph purposes?
- A journey legally exempt from EU tachograph regulations — such as vehicles under 3.5 tonnes or certain specialised vehicles (Correct answer)
- A journey outside Ireland requiring a foreign tachograph disc
- Any journey under 50 km from base
- Night driving exempt from the 24-hour disc rule
Correct answer: A journey legally exempt from EU tachograph regulations — such as vehicles under 3.5 tonnes or certain specialised vehicles
Out-of-scope journeys are those legally exempt from tachograph requirements. Vehicles under 3.5 tonnes GVW, certain agricultural vehicles, and vehicles not used for hire or reward may be exempt.
Question 6: How should a driver use the tachograph when driving a vehicle from a company different from their usual employer?
- Insert their own driver card — the card is personal and travels with the driver, not the vehicle (Correct answer)
- Use the vehicle's company card
- Leave the tachograph in manual mode for that journey
- Record the journey on paper only
Correct answer: Insert their own driver card — the card is personal and travels with the driver, not the vehicle
The driver card is personal — it belongs to the individual driver, not the company or vehicle. The driver must always insert their own card when driving any tachograph-equipped vehicle.
DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 2
What is the digital tachograph driver card used for?