Consultation outcome

Improving rules for Approved Tachograph Centres (ATCs)

Updated 27 April 2018

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

1. Introduction

Approved Tachograph Centres (ATCs) install, calibrate and inspect tachographs, which record information about driving time, speed and distance.

There are around 600 ATCs in Great Britain.

Overview of the proposals

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) is seeking views on proposals to:

• stop requiring ATCs to offer analogue tachograph calibration
• allow smaller sites to be used
• streamline the ATC manual, which sets out the rules for becoming and running a centre

Why DVSA is asking for views

DVSA has already spoken with a number of important industry bodies to review the current manual. It now wants to gather the views of more people who will be affected, including ATCs and vehicle operators.

DVSA wants to understand any negative (including unintended) effects of the proposals, so a fully informed decision can be made.

2. Analogue calibration requirement

At present, all ATCs must offer digital and analogue calibrations.

The number of analogue calibrations has declined since digital tachographs were introduced in 2006. Industry data shows analogue calibrations now make up less than 20% of all calibrations. Many ATCs have no customer demand for analogue calibrations.

There are costs associated with keeping an analogue service, including:

• keeping equipment in working order
• training staff to use it

This burden is especially true for new ATCs. They have to invest in new equipment which, in many cases, their customers will not need.

New ATCs

DVSA proposes to stop requiring new ATCs to offer analogue calibrations, following a suitable lead time.

DVSA thinks analogue calibration will continue to be viable, but in an increasingly niche market.

However, DVSA needs to know what negative effects this could have on operators who choose to continue using analogue tachographs.

Current ATCs

DVSA proposes to stop requiring current ATCs to offer analogue calibrations following a suitable lead time, for example, after 2 years.

This will remove the risk of operators finding their usual ATC has stopped providing analogue calibrations at short notice. It will allow them to make alternative arrangements, like finding an alternative ATC.

3. Minimum ATC dimensions

At present, ATCs must meet certain minimum dimension requirements. This is so they can accommodate the largest vehicles allowed on Great Britain’s roads.

Since these requirements were first set out, a number of innovations have been introduced targeted at meeting customer’s needs.

Flexible vehicle services

Authorised testing facilities (ATFs) are private testing facilities where DVSA assessors carry out annual tests for lorries, buses and trailers. Since ATFs were introduced, they’ve been able to offer a restricted dimension service, provided that it’s clearly communicated to customers and DVSA.

Relaxing the minimum ATC dimension requirement

DVSA proposes to change the rules to allow ATCs to do the same. This would allow ATFs with reduced dimensions to also become an ATC, so they could offer:

• vehicle maintenance
• annual testing
• tachograph calibration

This combined form of service is already provided at around half of ATFs. If ATFs with reduced dimensions choose to enter the tachograph and speed limiter calibration market, it will give customers more choice over time.

4. Streamlining the ATC manual

The ATC manual sets out the requirements and standards for approval. It must be followed at all times by ATCs and their staff.

DVSA is proposing to make changes the ATC manual information about:

• health and safety
• layout requirements

DVSA proposes to refer ATCs to their pre-existing obligations under health and safety legislation, rather than give prescriptive requirements in the manual. DVSA already does this when authorising MOT centres.

It would reduce the risk of:

• partial coverage of health and safety requirements
• giving false assurance as to ATCs’ compliance with their wider and on-going obligations

This may give ATCs greater flexibility to use alternative site designs (including the use of scissor lifts), as long they don’t pose a health and safety risk.

DVSA would still be able to reject approvals if it had any concerns about the suitability of the site.

5. Questions about the proposals

DVSA would like your views on these questions.

1. Do you support the proposal that, from an agreed future date, all new applicant ATCs can request to be digital only centres?
2. Do you support the proposal to remove the requirement for existing ATCs to continue to provide analogue calibrations at all existing ATCs?
3. What timeframe do you think is realistic for industry to adjust to these changes?
4. Do you support the relaxation of the currently mandated dimensional requirements for new ATCs?

Fill in the online form by 9 November 2016 to respond to the consultation.