tachografu

Tachographs (often referred to as tachografu in some languages) are devices installed in commercial road vehicles to automatically record driving time, rest periods, and related activities. They are used to verify compliance with regulations governing drivers’ working hours and road safety.

There are two main types. Analogue tachographs use a mechanical chart that is driven by the vehicle and a pen to record speed and time on a rotating disc. Digital tachographs (DTCO) are electronic systems that store driving and rest data in a secure memory and on a driver card. Modern fleets typically use digital tachographs, which are designed to be more tamper-evident and easier to audit.

Key components of a tachograph system include the tachograph unit mounted in the vehicle, a driver smart card, a company card for fleet operators, and in some cases a workshop card for calibration and maintenance. The device records vehicle speed and time, and classifies driver activity into driving, other work, rest, or available status. In analogue systems, the data appears as a printed or chart-recorded graph; in digital systems, data is stored digitally and can be downloaded by authorized personnel.

The primary purpose of tachographs is regulatory compliance and road safety. Authorities use tachograph data to verify that drivers observe legal driving times and mandatory rest periods. Tamper-evident seals and secure data storage help prevent manipulation, and data can be retrieved during inspections or audits.

Tachographs are widely used in commercial trucking and bus operations in many regions, with regulations governing their use and data handling varying by jurisdiction. They remain a core tool for enforcing fatigue management and safety standards in road transport.