DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of a tachograph in a commercial vehicle?
- To record driving time, rest periods, and vehicle speed to ensure compliance with EU driver hours regulations (Correct answer)
- To track the vehicle's location using GPS
- To monitor fuel consumption and engine performance
- To record cargo weight and load distribution
Correct answer: To record driving time, rest periods, and vehicle speed to ensure compliance with EU driver hours regulations
A tachograph is a scientific instrument fitted to commercial vehicles to record driving time, rest periods, other work periods, and vehicle speed — ensuring compliance with EU Regulation 561/2006 on driver hours.
Question 2: What are the two main types of tachograph in use in Europe?
- Analogue (chart disc) and digital (smart card) (Correct answer)
- Manual log and electronic log
- GPS-based and mechanical
- Paper roll and digital display
Correct answer: Analogue (chart disc) and digital (smart card)
Analogue tachographs use a circular paper disc (chart) to record data mechanically. Digital tachographs record data electronically to a smart card and an internal memory unit.
Question 3: How often must an analogue tachograph disc be changed?
- Once every 24 hours — at the latest when the sheet is full (Correct answer)
- Every 12 hours or at the start of each new shift
- Once per week or when the disc is full
- Only when the driver changes vehicles
Correct answer: Once every 24 hours — at the latest when the sheet is full
An analogue tachograph disc records up to 24 hours of data. It must be changed at the start of each calendar day (every 24 hours) or sooner if it becomes full.
Question 4: What mode symbol represents 'driving' on a digital tachograph display?
- A steering wheel icon (Correct answer)
- A clock face
- A briefcase symbol
- A bed/sleeping icon
Correct answer: A steering wheel icon
On a digital tachograph, the steering wheel symbol represents driving mode. The system switches automatically to driving mode when the vehicle is in motion.
Question 5: What information must a driver write manually on an analogue tachograph chart?
- Name, start location, end location, date, vehicle registration, and odometer readings (Correct answer)
- Only their name and date
- Name, employer, and route taken
- Vehicle registration and cargo type only
Correct answer: Name, start location, end location, date, vehicle registration, and odometer readings
The driver must manually enter their name, date, start and end location, vehicle registration number, and odometer readings at the start and end of each chart. Missing information is a recordable offence.
Question 6: For how long must a driver retain tachograph charts or printouts from digital cards?
- Charts must be retained for 28 days and available for inspection during that period (Correct answer)
- 6 months from the date of the journey
- 1 year — stored at the employer's premises
- Until the next periodic vehicle inspection
Correct answer: Charts must be retained for 28 days and available for inspection during that period
Drivers must keep analogue charts and digital card printouts for the current week plus the last chart/printout from the previous week — totalling up to 28 days — and produce them on request by enforcement authorities.
DTT HGV Tachograph Rules 1
What is the primary purpose of a tachograph in a commercial vehicle?