{"id":15099,"date":"2023-08-22T11:30:52","date_gmt":"2023-08-22T11:30:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.surreyandhampshirehgvtraining.co.uk\/?p=15099"},"modified":"2023-10-05T13:14:54","modified_gmt":"2023-10-05T13:14:54","slug":"everything-you-need-to-know-about-tacho-machines","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.surreyandhampshirehgvtraining.co.uk\/index.php\/everything-you-need-to-know-about-tacho-machines\/","title":{"rendered":"Everything you need to know about tacho machines"},"content":{"rendered":"

A key part of the day to day as an HGV driver will be based around your tacho card. A tachograph machine, which reads your tacho card, is essentially how your vehicle communicates with your employer. If you are still at the early stages of becoming an HGV driver<\/a>, it is worth familiarising yourself with how these machines work. They are a key part of managing your workload and making sure that your rights are protected.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What is a tachograph machine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

A tachograph, or tacho, machine is a device installed in an HGV to record the data from a driver\u2019s working shift. This data will include information such as hours worked, driving speed, distance covered, and rest periods taken. Compulsory use of tachograph machines has been in place in the EU as far back as 1975. Of course, these analogue machines were very different to the digital machines that tend to be in place now.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Why does an HGV use a tachograph machine?<\/span><\/h2>\n

It\u2019s useful to understand the reasons that HGV transport requires this technology to be installed. All vehicles that are 3.5 tonnes or over should be fitted with a tachograph machine. In addition to this, any vehicle registered from 1st May 2006 must be a digital, rather than analogue, machine. In practical terms, this means that you\u2019re more likely than not to encounter a digital machine.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Safety<\/span><\/h4>\n

Historically, governments and regulatory bodies introduced tachograph machines as a way to improve public safety. By ensuring that drivers did not operate their vehicle while tired, the likelihood of accidents or incidents is reduced. This benefits the safety of both the driver and other road users.<\/span><\/p>\n

Protection<\/span><\/h4>\n

Moreover, monitoring data regarding hours worked and rests taken should be seen by drivers as key to their own protection. These regulations prevent employers from setting unrealistic demands on their workforce, which would put them in dangerous situations.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Improvement<\/span><\/h4>\n

As technology improves, the data that digital or smart tachographs record becomes more detailed. This can be analysed and used to make many different improvements. For example, fuel economy, driving technique, and service levels between the transport operator and client.<\/span><\/p>\n

What are driver hour and rest regulations?<\/span><\/h2>\n

The UK continues to uphold EU regulations for driver working hours since leaving the EU. Similarly, other countries are covered by AETR (<\/span>The European Agreement Concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport) regulations. A full list of countries covered by AETR can be found here<\/a><\/span>\u00a0Drivers must work according to the following guidelines, which the tachograph machine should reflect:<\/span><\/p>\n