Digital tachograph workshop requirements
- Where can I / we obtain the downloading equipment from?
- How is the unit calibrated?
- What about periodic checks?
- What equipment will we need?
- I am already approved as an analogue calibration centre, does this mean I am automatically approved for calibrating digital tachographs?
- Who will make these new digital tachograph vehicle units?
- Where do we find out how they work?
- Will there be written instructions?
- What about repairs?
- Will there be an increase in centres?
- Will we retain our current seal numbers when becoming a digital centre?
- Do staff need to undergo a training course?
- Who will supply training?
- Will we have to pay for training?
- Who will pay for the new equipment?
- Can we use our existing computers / IT equipment?
- Can we still use the Hartridge rolling road?
- Can we still use the linear track?
- How much can we charge?
- Can we be refused digital approval?
- Can we stay as an analogue only centre?
- Can we be a digital only centre?
- Will vehicles be calibrated ‘on line’ at manufacture?
- Can we replace an analogue tachograph with a digital tachograph on request?
- How do we fit a digital tachograph into different size holes?
- What are the sealing requirements?
- What is a motion sensor?
- Will remanufactured units still exist?
Where can I / we obtain the downloading equipment from?
The hardware / software needed to download data is standard computer equipment (although a lead may need to be obtained from a VU manufacturer), and can be procured in the same way you would normal obtain your computer equipment. WE are NOT able to name companies or individuals on this site as this is a commercial situation.
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Full details will be sent out in due course via the Vehicle Unit manufacturers, and will be included in the Tachograph Centre Manual
. The manual can be downloaded from this link.
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Periodic inspections must be carried out in accordance with 1360/2002/EC and the guidelines stipulated in the Approved Tachograph Centre Manual. Further guidance on this is available from the training providers and from the periodic Special Notices.
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Special Notices have been issued to all Approved Tachograph Centres informing them of the equipment that is acceptable to use for the calibration of digital tachographs. The programmers listed will be similar in design to those already used on the tachograph scheme, but will have updated software to communicate with the digital tachographs.
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I am already approved as an analogue calibration centre, does this mean I am automatically approved for calibrating digital tachographs?
No, you will need to apply for additional approval to cover digital tachographs. This can be done by submitting an application to VOSA via VOSA’s Swansea office-01792 454336.
Who will be the sponsor?
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In June 2005 Sponsorship of the tachograph scheme was removed and approved tachograph centres are now responsible for the operation of their own centre. Approved tachograph centres will need to ensure that they have the capability of obtaining technical support to enable them to deal with any unusual problems or difficulties. It is a commercial matter for centres to decide who they utilise for technical support.
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Who will make these new digital tachograph vehicle units?
At this time we are aware of three manufacturers who have already received type approval for a digital tachograph vehicle unit.
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Where do we find out how they work?
This information is available in the technical specifications from the manufacturers.
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Will there be written instructions?
The revised tachograph centre manual includes all the necessary information you require in order to deal with the process of activation, calibration and inspection of digital tachographs. The tachograph centre manual does not contain specific product technical information, or ‘how to use’ information that can be found in the VU manufacturers user manual.
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At this time we can only comment on the three units that have received type approval. These manufacturers have indicated that there will be very few parts that are repairable. At present there is no repair scheme to support digital tachographs.
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Will there be an increase in centres?
There is no limit on the number of approved tachograph centres, and it will therefore be a commercial matter for garages and workshops to determine whether or not they wish to apply to become an approved digital tachograph centre.
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Will we retain our current seal numbers when becoming a digital centre?
Yes, there will be no need to change that, but nominated technicians will need a workshop card to deal with the digital tachographs. Within that card is contained their unique number, which incorporates the centre seal number.
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Do staff need to undergo a training course?
Nominated Technicians will need additional training to cover the installation, activation, calibration, inspection and de-commissioning of the vehicle units.
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This will come from the Technical Support Organisations who will have their training courses approved by VOSA. Details of approved courses are published in the Special Notices.
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Will we have to pay for training?
A requirement of approval is that nominated technicians will need to be trained in digital tachographs. You will be responsible, as now, for the cost of this training.
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Who will pay for the new equipment?
As now, the centre is responsible for the procurement of its equipment.
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Can we use our existing computers / IT equipment?
It is most likely that you will be able to use existing equipment, dependant on age and operating systems. You may need to upgrade your system or purchase some additional hardware and software though.
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Can we still use the Hartridge rolling road?
Yes.
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Can we still use the linear track?
Yes.
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This is currently under review following a calibration timing exercise that was completed in 2007. The fees for calibration and installation of a digital tachograph are currently identical to those for an analogue tachograph, as published in the Special Notice of January 2006.
As soon as further information on the revision to fees is known, it will be published on this web site.
How much will approval cost?
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Initial Approval £311.00
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Annual Approval £127.00
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Can we be refused digital approval?
Yes. If you do not have the required equipment or trained personnel then you will not receive authorisation.
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Can we stay as an analogue only centre?
Yes.
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Can we be a digital only centre?
Yes, if your application for approval is successful.
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Will vehicles be calibrated ‘on line’ at manufacture?
Complete calibration by the vehicle manufacturer will not be possible with digital tachographs. The calibration requires input of the vehicle registration mark, and this is not available whilst the vehicle is being built. However the vehicle manufacturer may choose to enter all the other calibration parameters correctly.
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Can we replace an analogue tachograph with a digital tachograph on request?
There will be nothing preventing voluntary fitting of a digital tachograph in replacement of an analogue unit, however approved tachograph centres will be responsible for ensuring that the installation is conducted correctly. To this effect, they will need to obtain specialist advice from the vehicle and tachograph manufacturer.
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How do we fit a digital tachograph into different size holes?
That will be a matter for the digital tachograph and vehicle manufacturers to decide upon, or for the tachograph centre and technician to overcome, however the space left by the analogue unit could be utilised to fit the slave speedometer. As long as the installation requirements and any applicable construction and use requirements are complied with how the unit is actually fitted is not a legislation issue. Note: the installation of the tachograph must be in accordance with Annex 1B (1360/2002/EC).
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What are the sealing requirements?
Due to the pairing and encryption of the motion sensor signals the cable does not need to be sealed to the sensor, but the sensor will still require sealing to the gearbox.
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This is another (more descriptive) name for the sender unit used by analogue systems. The sensor is screwed into the gearbox and sends a signal to the VU that is representative of the vehicle speed and distance travelled. It is paired with the vehicle unit and will then only work with that vehicle unit. The signals it produces are encrypted to prevent tampering.
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Will remanufactured units still exist?
At present, no.
I cannot find the answer to my question
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We are sorry that your query has not been answered. Please contact us directly for more information on 0870 60 60 440.
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Page last updated: 20/08/2008