Data is stored in two ways with the digital tachograph: on the personal driver card and on the device itself, which stores the vehicle's total data for the past 365 days. The digital tachograph also records data from inserted cards, incorrect actions, and attempted fraud. The digital tachograph also has an output that allows information to be sent to and/or connected to an on-board computer.

How long do truck drivers have to rest daily?

Normally, truck and bus drivers have a mandatory daily rest period of eleven hours. However, this can be done differently. The exact driving and rest times can be found on the website of the Transport and Water Management Inspectorate.

How long are truck drivers allowed to drive continuously?

After four and a half hours of driving, truck and bus drivers must take a break. This break must last 45 minutes, but may be replaced by shorter breaks. Detailed information can be found on the website of the Transport and Water Management Inspectorate.

What is a digital tachograph?

The digital tachograph records driving and rest times, speed, distance traveled, driver card data, and various types of work. The device works in conjunction with four different types of tachograph cards: a driver card, a company card, a workshop card, and a control card. The device consists of an electronic box, the size of a car radio, with a display window and two slots for a tachograph card, a printer, and a sensor connected to the gearbox. The data is stored in two ways: in the device's memory and on the driver card. This is the driver's personal tachograph card. The device itself records the vehicle's total data for the past 365 days. The digital tachograph also records data from inserted cards, incorrect operations, and attempted fraud. The measuring instrument also has an output that allows information to be sent to the on-board computer. The digital tachograph can be connected to the on-board computer. If a truck or bus changes ownership, the company card blocks the previous owner's data.

Which vehicles are required to have a digital tachograph?

All new buses (capable of carrying more than eight people) and trucks must be equipped with an officially recognized digital tachograph. If an analog tachograph in a bus or truck breaks down completely after the implementation date, the defective tachograph may be replaced with an analog or digital tachograph if the vehicle was registered before January 1, 1996.

For trucks with a maximum weight of more than twelve tonnes and buses with a maximum weight of more than ten tonnes, registered on or after January 1, 1996, it is mandatory to replace the defective tachograph with a digital one. For all other vehicles, the defective analog tachograph may be replaced with an analog or digital tachograph.

Which vehicles are exempt from the use of a tachograph?

Vans to which a trailer is occasionally coupled are exempt from the use of a tachograph. Construction companies, installation companies, market traders, gardeners, and other small businesses are not professional transporters. They only drive a limited number of hours to get to work. Commuting, therefore.

Why a digital tachograph?

The European Council has decided that all new buses and trucks must be equipped with a digital tachograph by May 1, 2006. The digital tachograph must contribute to increased road safety, fair competition between European transporters, and healthy working conditions within Europe.

What are the consequences of the introduction of the digital tachograph for national laws and regulations?

The European decision applies to all member states of the European Union, plus Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein. Therefore, the implementation date of the digital tachograph does not apply only to the Netherlands. The introduction of the digital tachograph is regulated by European regulations and also has consequences for Dutch laws and regulations. The following legislation had to be amended or added.

Who monitors the use of the digital tachograph?

Inspectors from the Transport and Water Management Inspectorate are currently monitoring the use of the digital tachograph.

Bron:  Ministerie van Verkeer en Waterstaat en Inspectie Verkeer en Waterstaat (IVW)