Operators warned of tacho 24-hour expiry date glitch
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OWNERS OF DIGITAL tachographs issued before 26 August 2006 have been warned that the devices will cease working 24 hours ahead of their expiry date.
The microchip in digital tachos stops recording drivers’ activity after five years and cards need to be replaced. However, the DVLA has confirmed that for cards issued before August 2006, recording activity will stop 24 hours early.
A DVLA spokesman says: “The affected cards will show as invalid for the day and will be treated as malfunctioning. There is no need to notify the DVLA.” Affected cardholders are being warned of the problem when renewal reminders are sent to them.
During the ‘invalid’ day, truckers must keep records by using the printout facility on the vehicle unit, and keep their expired cards and printout for four weeks. Employers must store them for a year, or two years if used to calculate driver working time under the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005. It is estimated that this affects 65,000 driver cards and 14,000 company cards.
● For more information on faulty tachos go to: www.businesslink.gov.uk/transport