toerenkaart

A "toerenkaart" is a Dutch term that translates to "speed card" or "tachograph chart" in English. It is a recording sheet used in conjunction with a tachograph, a device installed in commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses to monitor driving times, rest periods, and speed. The toerenkaart serves as a manual or paper record that provides a detailed account of a driver’s activities over a specific period, typically a 24-hour cycle.

Historically, before digital tachographs became widespread, drivers and companies used to fill out toerenkaarten manually. The chart includes sections to record the vehicle's speed, the driver’s activities (driving, resting, working), and the start and end times of each shift. It functions as an essential tool for compliance with legal regulations established within the European Union to ensure road safety and fair working conditions. Data recorded on the toerenkaart is used for compliance checks by authorities and for internal monitoring by companies.

In modern vehicles, digital tachographs have largely replaced paper-based toerenkaarten, automating much of the recording process. However, paper toerenkaarten may still be used in certain jurisdictions or as backup documentation. Proper use and accurate recording of toerenkaarten are critical for legal compliance, preventing fatigue-related accidents, and ensuring that drivers adhere to regulated driving limits and rest periods.

Overall, the toerenkaart is an important component of transportation safety and regulation, contributing to transparency and accountability within commercial road transport operations.