DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the tachograph requirement when two drivers share driving in a vehicle (double manning)?
- Both driver cards must be inserted simultaneously — one in slot 1 (driver), one in slot 2 (co-driver) (Correct answer)
- Only the active driver inserts their card — the other driver's card is not needed
- Cards are alternated — the active driver inserts their card only when their turn begins
- One card stores data for both drivers simultaneously
Correct answer: Both driver cards must be inserted simultaneously — one in slot 1 (driver), one in slot 2 (co-driver)
When double-manning, both driver cards must be in the tachograph simultaneously — the active driver's card in slot 1 and the co-driver's card in slot 2. The tachograph records each driver's activity separately.
Question 2: What does the tachograph record about vehicle speed?
- A continuous speed trace showing the vehicle's speed at every moment — speeding events are visible on inspection (Correct answer)
- Average speed only
- Only the maximum speed reached during the journey
- Speed is not recorded by standard tachographs
Correct answer: A continuous speed trace showing the vehicle's speed at every moment — speeding events are visible on inspection
Analogue tachographs record a continuous speed trace on the disc. Digital tachographs record detailed speed data that enforcement authorities can analyse for speeding, harsh braking, and other events.
Question 3: When must a driver print a record from the digital tachograph?
- When requested by an enforcement officer or when the card is malfunctioning and manual records are needed (Correct answer)
- At the end of every working day
- At the start of each new week
- Only when the vehicle is serviced
Correct answer: When requested by an enforcement officer or when the card is malfunctioning and manual records are needed
A driver must print from the digital tachograph when an enforcement officer requests a printout at a roadside check, or when the driver card has malfunctioned and written records on printed slips are needed.
Question 4: How long must an employer retain digital tachograph data downloaded from the vehicle unit?
- At least 12 months from the date the data was recorded (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- 28 days
- 5 years
Correct answer: At least 12 months from the date the data was recorded
Employers must retain digital tachograph data downloaded from the vehicle unit for at least 12 months. Driver card data must also be downloaded and stored at least every 28 days.
Question 5: What is the consequence of driving without inserting a driver card into a digital tachograph?
- An offence — the driver must make manual written records and the vehicle unit records an 'unknown driver' event (Correct answer)
- No offence if the journey is under 50 km
- The vehicle records the journey normally — cards are only needed for inspections
- A warning is issued only on the first occasion
Correct answer: An offence — the driver must make manual written records and the vehicle unit records an 'unknown driver' event
Driving a digital tachograph-equipped vehicle without inserting a driver card is an offence. The vehicle unit records an 'unknown driver' session which is visible during inspection. Manual records must be made.
Question 6: What is a 'smart tachograph' (second generation digital tachograph)?
- An advanced digital tachograph with GPS, remote communication, and DSRC interface for remote enforcement checks (Correct answer)
- A tachograph that self-calibrates automatically
- A tachograph with built-in driver hours calculation and automatic alerts
- An app-based tachograph for light commercial vehicles
Correct answer: An advanced digital tachograph with GPS, remote communication, and DSRC interface for remote enforcement checks
Second-generation (smart) tachographs include GNSS (GPS) positioning, remote early detection capability allowing enforcement to identify potential violations remotely, and ITS interface for roadside checks.
DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 5
What is the tachograph requirement when two drivers share driving in a vehicle (double manning)?