1️⃣ What is a tachograph?
It is a device that records driving and rest times as well as speed and distance traveled to prevent fatigue and improve road safety.
2️⃣ Who must use it?
- 🚛 Goods vehicles with MAM (Maximum Authorized Mass) > 3,500 kg
- 🚌 Passenger transport vehicles with more than 9 seats (including the driver)
3️⃣ Types of tachograph
- 📼 Analog: uses a paper chart disc
- 💾 Digital: uses electronic cards
4️⃣ Maximum driving times
- 🕐 Continuous driving: maximum 4 h 30 ➡️ 45-minute break
- 📅 Daily: maximum 9 h (can be 10 h twice per week)
- 📆 Weekly: maximum 56 h
- 🗓️ Fortnightly: maximum 90 h over 2 weeks
5️⃣ Mandatory rest periods
- 🛌 Regular daily: at least 11 h (or split 3 h + 9 h)
- ⏳ Reduced daily: at least 9 h, only 3 times between weekly rests
- 😴 Weekly: at least 45 h (or 24 h with compensation)
- 🚐 Crew driving: 9 h rest every 30 h
6️⃣ Digital tachograph cards
| Type | Color | Function |
|---|---|---|
| Driver | 🤍 White | Identifies the driver and records their activity |
| Company | 💛 Yellow | Manages tachograph data |
| Workshop/Test center | ❤️ Red | Activates/calibrates the tachograph |
| Control | 💙 Blue | Inspection and control by authorities |
7️⃣ Penalties for misuse
- ⚠️ Minor: minor errors without data loss
- ❗ Serious: missing records, breaks not respected
- 🚫 Very serious: tampering, serious driving excesses, no card
🚓 Authorities may immobilize the vehicle if very serious infringements are detected.
8️⃣ Recommendations
- 🔄 Download tachograph data every 3 months
- 🔄 Download driver card data every 31 days
- 📁 Keep records for at least 1 year
- 📃 Always carry the card or charts for the last 28 days
9️⃣ Exemptions from tachograph use
- 🚜 Vehicles that do not exceed 40 km/h
- 🏥 Medical, humanitarian, or military vehicles
- 🚛 Non-commercial transport up to 7.5 tonnes
- 📦 Garbage collection, postal services, milk collection, urban maintenance
- 🛳️ Transport on islands not connected to the mainland
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