Digital Driver Cards
Moving on - the Future
Introduction
There are 4 types of Digital Tachograph card:- A Drivers Card (the drivers personal card), A Company Card (For use by the Operator), A
Workshop Card (only available to approved Calibration Centres) and a Control card (for use by VOSA and the Police - the enforcement
authorities). However, we've devoted this page purely to Driver Cards.
For further information on Digital Tachographs and how they function, please visit the Digital Tachographs page within this section of the site, where you'll also find links to further information.
For further information regarding Company cards, please visit the Responsibilities of Operators page within this section of the site.
- Driver Cards and records
- How to apply for driver cards
- Lost, stolen or malfunctioning driver cards
- What is Recorded on a Drivers Digital Card?
- The Importance of Training
Driver Cards and records
It is a legal requirement for a digital tachograph-equipped vehicle driven in scope of EU rules that the driver must use a driver card.
If the vehicle is used without a card being inserted, the system will not prevent the vehicle from being driven, but the VU will record the
fact that the vehicle has been used without a card.
Drivers may only be in possession of one driver's smart card, and must never use anyone else's card or allow another driver to use
their card.
When driving a vehicle that is equipped with a digital tachograph, drivers should:
Key Information
- ensure that the instrument is calibrated by inspecting the calibration plaque or interrogating the instrument;
- ensure that their driver card is inserted into the correct slot (driver in slot 1, second driver in slot 2) from the moment they take over the vehicle, and that it is ready for use, before the vehicle is moved;
- record the country in which they begin and end their daily work period. This must always be carried out at the time of the start or end of the period, even if the card is not to be withdrawn or inserted (for example if the card is left in overnight);
- carry sufficient supplies of type-approved print roll on board the vehicle so that a printout can be produced at an enforcement officer's request;
- ensure that all duties conducted since the driver card was last removed from a tachograph are manually entered onto the card record, using the manual entry facility on the tachograph;
- ensure that the tachograph is working properly;
- ensure that through the daily working period the mode button is used correctly to record other work, periods of availability, and rest and breaks;
- take reasonable steps to protect their card from dirt and damage;
- use only their own personalised driver card to record driving and other activities they undertake;
- ensure that the card is not removed from the tachograph during the working day unless otherwise authorised. The rules are not specific on who can authorise removal of the card, but cases where cards can be removed include a change of vehicle, or where another driver will be using the vehicle during a break or rest period;
- on multi-manning operations ensure that their driver card is placed in the correct slot (slot 1 when they are acting as driver and slot 2 when co-driver on a double-manned journey), when they take over driving;
- make their cards available for downloading by their employer; and
be able to produce at the roadside:
- charts and any legally required manual records for the current 'fixed' week and the previous 15 calendar days (this will change to the current day and previous 28 calendar days from 1 January 2008); and
- the driver’s digital smart card if they hold one.
How to apply for driver cards
You can get application forms and assistance from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) by calling 0870 850 1074. If you want to
order more than one driver pack, fax the request on company headed paper to DVLA on 01792 783525. Alternatively, forms should be available
from local DVLA offices and VOSA test stations. DVLA will accept payment for up to 25 driver card applications on one company cheque.
In Northern Ireland, application forms are available from DVLNI (call 0845 402 4000) and test centres of the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA).
Lost, stolen or malfunctioning driver cards
Article 16 EEC 3821/85 states that if a driver card is damaged, malfunctions or is lost or stolen, the driver shall, at the end of his
journey, print out the information relating to the periods of time recorded by the recording equipment and mark on that document the
details that enable him to be identified (the driver card number and/or name and/or driving licence number), including his signature.
If a driver card is damaged or if it malfunctions, the driver shall return it to the competent authority of the Member State in which he has his normal residence. Theft of the driver card shall be the subject of a formal declaration to the competent authorities of the State where the theft occurred.
Loss of the driver card must be reported in a formal declaration to the competent authorities of the State that issued it and to the competent authorities of the Member State of normal residence where they are different. The diver may continue to drive without a driver card for a maximum period of 15 calendar days or for a longer period if this is necessary for the vehicle to return to its premises, provided he can prove the impossibility of producing or using the card during this period.
Where the authorities of the Member State in which the driver has his normal residence are different from those which issued his card and where the latter are requested to renew, replace or exchange the driver card, they shall inform the authorities which issued the old card of the precise reasons for its renewal, replacement or exchange. (See also Digital Tachographs)
What is Recorded on a Drivers Digital Card?
The information recorded on a Drivers Digital Card (other than the drivers duty data it collects) are:
- details of the issuing authority
- country and dates of validity and issue
- drivers name, date of birth and driving licence number
The data it then stores is as follows:
- vehicles used including dates and times
- vehicle Registration Number and odometer reading
- duty periods including date, time and total distance travelled
- changes of activity such as drive, break etc
- plus all information on any co-driver
The Importance of Training
There's no argument here, training your staff is fundemental in ensuring that they carry out their roles in a safe, efficient and
professional manner. With respect to you all, we are aware that you are more than capable of training your staff in both Analogue and
Digital Tachograph use. However, bolt onto this the need to effectively train and educate your staff on the current legislative
requirements requires a lot more effort than simply imparting to them the knowledge and importance of the 4.5 hour rule.
There are 'Horses for Courses', with many excellent companies out there specialising in this aspect of training need. These companies have the facilities, are well prepared to meet the needs of large (or small) groups of your staff and are well versed in ensuring that your staff return to their roles better prepared to maintain your company image, leaving you with better tools to spearhead your company operation to the benefit of the bottom line.
