Tachomaster Tachograph Generation 2 Compatibility Guide
From the 15th of June 2019, we will see the mandatory introduction of the ‘smart tachographs’ (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2016/799 - Annex 1C) in all new vehicles. This will be one of the most significant changes in tachograph regulation in more than 12 years.
The next new version of tachograph, known as the 'Smart Tacho’ or 'Generation 2 Tacho (Gen2)' will add additional features for improved driver activity records. All new trucks, coaches and buses will have the new ‘Smart Tacho’ device fitted and installed as standard.
The current tachograph devices are fitted to six million trucks and buses throughout the EU. The Tachograph was designed to allow a driver’s activity to be monitored to create safe working conditions, prevent fatigue and protect public safety.
Under EU legislation Annex 1C, all new trucks from June 2019 will require smart tachographs as standard. The new ‘Smart Tacho’ has been designed to improve efficiency and reduce the administrative burdens on the transport industries (covering both goods and passenger vehicles). Also, it will eliminate the most severe forms of tampering and help reduce driver infringements.
Adrian Barrett, Director at Road Tech, explains: “Firstly, we want to make sure our Tachomaster customers know we're ready for the new ‘Smart Tacho’ changes. Also, the principal legislation requirements are the same for existing tachographs and the new ‘Smart Tacho’. Fleets and drivers will still be required to comply with the Drivers’ Hours Legislation and Working Time Directive. All tachograph driver and vehicle data will still need to be downloaded, stored and analysed”.
Generally, the new changes are straight forward, so you won’t need any additional training. However, drivers might want to familiarise themselves with the new features on offer.
The other good news is that there are no significant changes on how to operate the ‘Smart Tacho’ device from the driver’s point of view. The new ‘Smart Tacho’ internally will incorporate several new changes due to the improvements in digital technologies. These advances will help streamline the admin and compliance of all tachograph data.
We’ve been working with all major hardware manufacturers to ensure that Tachomaster is prepared for the latest additions of the ‘Smart Tacho’ which is happening on the 15th of June 2019. The new "Smart Tacho" will be able to share its data with our Tachomaster and Falcon Tracking telematic systems.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle which has the new ‘Smart Tacho’ device, you don’t need to worry. The new ‘Smart Tacho’ will work with an old driver’s smart card. However, if you want to take advantage of the latest features and technology on offer, then you’ll need the latest digital tachograph driver smart card.
The new 'Smart Tacho' data must be downloaded, saved and analysed as before. Additional features include; GNSS data, improvements to ferry mode and recording of new events and faults. Transport operators need to ensure their download tools and software can support the latest 'Smart Tacho' data.
GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) GPS The new ‘Smart Tacho’ will see the introduction of the GNSS (a newer version of the GPS) for location positioning and tracking of the vehicle. The ‘Smart Tacho’ will record the starting location, every three hours of continuous driving time and the end location for each working period.
The data recorded by the ‘Smart Tacho’ GPS (GNSS):
The ‘Smart Tacho’ device can be scanned wirelessly by the DVSA Enforcement Officers The new ‘Smart Tacho’ device will allow the DVSA roadside enforcement officers and police to remotely scan passing vehicles, without having to stop them and detect possible fraudulent activity. The regulations clearly state that no personal driver data like names and addresses can be remotely scanned.
The Dedicated Short Range Communications device (DSRC) will help collect and identify drivers and vehicles that are not complying to the rules. DVSA and police officers will be able to detect fraud, misuse, manipulation and other potential offences and quickly decide whether to stop a vehicle or not. The authorities can increase their activities to more suspicious vehicles and save the time of innocent operators and drivers.
The data collected during the scan is:
The data the DVSA aren’t scanning wirelessly The DVSA roadside enforcement officers will not be wirelessly scanning for information about driver hours offences, such as exceeding daily driving or failing to take a break after 4.5 hours. Furthermore, data can only be kept for the duration of the roadside check and can’t be kept for longer than three hours unless the data indicates a potential manipulation or misuse of the tachograph.
The data wirelessly scanned from the ‘Smart Tacho’ device can’t lead to automatic penalties or fines for the driver or transport operator. However, if the scan detects issues, then this could trigger a roadside stop of the vehicle. Then a full examination of the tachograph device would take place, and this could lead to enforcement action.
New digital driver smart cards Firstly, the DVLA has confirmed new driver and company smart cards issued from early 2019 will be fully compatible and collect all the new fields of data required. Current driver cards will be replaced as they come up for renewal and eventually the existing driver cards will be phased out.
New driver smart cards will be compatible with the older generation of tachograph devices, and older generation driver cards will work with the new ‘Smart Tacho’ devices. However, if you want to take advantage of the latest ‘Smart Tacho’ features and technology on offer, then you’ll need the very latest digital driver smart card to collect the data.
Any vehicles crossing international borders must have a 'Smart Tacho’ retrofitted by June 2034, but it is doubtful any vehicles in current circulation would remain active by this time.
Tachograph calibration workshops must prepare for the introduction of the new ‘Smart Tacho’. Workshops will need to configure, programme and calibrate the tachograph and ensure the workshop tools are modernised to take account of the new ‘Smart Tacho’ features. This will include the accurate testing of the DSRC module, as well as the procedure and examination of the GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) feature.
The majority of your tacho hardware will be compatible like the Tachomaster Smart Card Readers. Existing equipment like digiDL, digipostpro and digivu V4 (serial numbers with 19xx xxxx) including digivu+ will require firmware updates to be Gen2 compliant. Please note that older digivu will not be compatible (serial numbers with 5xx xxxx). If in doubt, please contact our support team: feedback@tachomaster.co.uk
Tachomaster is the undisputed market leader because no other tachograph analysis software can offer the same amount of detail, insights and data into your fleet's activities. Tachomaster will help you make your fleet safer and more efficient.
Tachomaster provides the most comprehensive reporting tools available. You can produce reports in a pdf or spreadsheet format. Also, save time and automatically send your most viewed reports at specific times.
DCRS provides an automatic system to monitor and manage your drivers’ performance and highlight your worst drivers and your best drivers. Reduce driver infringement and help improve your driver’s compliance, performance and safety more effectively.
The CPC Management System enables you to monitor driver expiry dates for CPC card and cycle dates. You can also enter and record other course types too.
At its core, Tachomaster keeps track of drive, work, availability and rest. The powerful Worker Calendar displays a summary for each day, including rest days and many different leave types.
The Worker App can be used to check your working status and any rest periods required. The app can help prevent unnecessary driver infringements and keep you safe and compliant. Get a constant visual overview of the recent days, weeks or months of work, on leave or sick. The Worker App could be used to affirm your working hours against any wages and overtime pay due.
Use the Tachomaster Earned Recognition Module to check, manage and review your drivers’ hours and compliance records. Review driver KPI’s instantly and help reduce unnecessary driver infringements through the Tachomaster ER Module dashboards.
Other Tachomaster software benefits:
If you want to know more then get in touch with us on 01923 460000 or email sales@roadtech.co.uk