Applying for a workshop card
- How do I/we get cards?
- How many do I / we need?
- Can the workshop have a card?
- How long are they valid for?
- Do I have to have a photocard drivers’ licence?
- Do I have to have a drivers licence at all?
- How much will it cost?
- Can I / we be refused issue of a card?
- What happens when it expires?
- What happens if it is lost?
- What happens if it is stolen?
- What happens if the card stops working?
- Who does the card belong to?
- How much data is recorded on the card?
- Do I / we have to download the card?
- How do I / we see what is on the card?
- Can I use it instead of my company card?
- How many types of card can I have?
They are only to be issued to Nominated Technicians, who will need to complete application form D778B and send it along with the relevant documentation to the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA). VOSA will check the applicant is working for an approved digital tachograph centre and is a declared nominated technician who holds a valid digital training certificate. The application will be checked and forwarded [along with your documentation] to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). The card will be issued to you at your workshop and the PIN will be sent separately to your home address.
Back
As a fitter you will need a separate card for each workshop you carry out digital tachograph work in. The card is personal to you at a specific workshop and must not leave that premises. For example, if you work in 3 different workshops, you will need 3 cards, one at each address.
Back
NO, Workshop cards are personal issue to nominated technicians, NOT the workshop.
Back
Workshop cards are valid for a maximum of 1 year, and will be renewed on 31st March each year.
Back
Do I have to have a photocard drivers’ licence?
No, a Workshop Card holder does not need to hold a driving licence, photocard or otherwise. However if you do hold a licence, it would make the process speedier if you already hold a photocard licence as DVLA would already have your photograph and signature on file, so you would not need to send in your identity documents or photograph.
Back
Do I have to have a drivers licence at all?
No, you do not need a licence at all to hold a Workshop card - after all, the Workshop card does not entitle you to drive, it only enables you to work with digital tachographs. However, you must supply identity documentation and a photograph with your first application as all Workshop Cards are personalised.
However the workshop card can, and should, be used as a driver card during any road tests related to tachograph work. That way the calibration details (or periodic inspection details) and subsequent road test are recorded together and can be later downloaded together to form a complete record of the activities relating to each vehicle.
Back
All prices are listed on Digital Tachograph Card Fees.
Back
Can I / we be refused issue of a card?
Yes, you will be refused a card if you are not a nominated technician , you do not have a valid digital training certificate, or you are not currently working at an approved digital workshop.
Back
The cards will be renewed automatically. Two months before the expiry of your card DVLA will send out a renewal list to VOSA. This will then be checked and the list returned to DVLA indicating the Technicians whose cards can be renewed in good time for the new cards to be despatched.
Back
Security of a workshop card is of great importance. Loss of your card must be reported to VOSA immediately and application form D778 submitted to VOSA for a replacement. The replacement will be sent to the local VOSA area office who will arrange delivery to, or collection by, the nominated technician.
Back
Security of a workshop card is of great importance. The theft of your card must be reported to VOSA immediately as VOSA may wish to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of the theft. A D778 application form must be submitted to VOSA for a replacement, which will then be sent to the local VOSA area office who will arrange delivery to, or collection by, the nominated technician.
Back
What happens if the card stops working?
Before returning your card it would be very helpful, where possible to try the card in a different Vehicle Unit. You will need to fill in the correct application form (D778B) for a new card and return with the faulty card to VOSA.
Back
The card, like a driving licence, belongs to the Secretary of State for Transport.
Back
How much data is recorded on the card?
The workshop card will hold details of 88 calibrations as well as a small amount of events and faults data.
Back
Do I / we have to download the card?
Yes. Full details of this operation will be included in the amendments to the centre manual and also on this site.
Back
How do I / we see what is on the card?
You can view the data on the card by downloading it on to a computer and viewing it on the screen with appropriate software, or by the VDU on the vehicle unit.
Back
Can I use it instead of my company card?
No,if you have a workshop card for use by your calibration centre, this is ONLY to be used in accordance with the tachograph centre’s duties and NOT as a substitute company card. All insertions of a card are recorded on the VU and the card! Any abuse or misuse of workshop cards will be treated as a serious breach of the conditions of approval and may lead to the withdrawal of the nominated technician and/or the tachograph centre’s approval.
Back
How many types of card can I have?
Anyone who holds a valid driving licence with the correct entitlement can have a driver’s card. Companies will need 1 or more company cards dependant on their requirements. Workshop cards will only be issued to qualified technicians who hold a valid training certificate and are working in an authorised centre. All applications for workshop cards will be verified by VOSA before processing by DVLA.
Back
Page last updated: 21/07/2008