Approved tachograph centre special notice 03-24
Published 27 November 2024
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2024
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-tachograph-centre-special-notice-03-24/approved-tachograph-centre-special-notice-03-24
1. New tachograph centre application criteria
After an assessment of the information required for new tachograph centre applications an amendment has been made to the Approved Tachograph Centre manual Section 3.1.3.3. This refers to evidence of planning permission and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will now accept a CLEUD (Certificate of Lawful Existing Use or Development), or a letter from a solicitor as acceptable evidence.
If a letter from a solicitor is used, it must clearly state the existing planning approval covers the premises to be used for tachograph services or garage services and vehicle repair. Further, the solicitor must be registered with and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
2. Calibration process
Nominated technicians are reminded that calibration settings are derived from the average of 3 close measurements or 2 identical ones. A single measurement of W is insufficient and does not meet the criteria. Failure to follow this process may result in disciplinary action.
Further, technicians are reminded that deliberately altering details, such as W/K factors into a calibration to gain a speed advantage, may be considered an act of fraud and could result in both the technician and centre being prosecuted for fraud and also face disciplinary action, up to and including disqualification from the scheme.
3. Replacement tachograph rules
The Department for Transport (DfT) has updated their legal guidance on the requirements for replacing faulty tachograph units. Please find below a table giving details of the replacement criteria for all tachographs in line with this.
| Tachograph | If faulty, replace with: | Additional comments | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analogue tachograph | Any of the following: analogue tachograph, digital tachograph, smart tachograph 1, smart tachograph 2 | If the vehicle in which the analogue tachograph is fitted is being used for international journeys, it is required to be retrofitted with a smart tachograph 2 from 31 December 2024. | ||
| Digital tachograph | Any of the following: digital tachograph, smart tachograph 1, smart tachograph 2 | If the vehicle in which the digital tachograph is fitted is being used for international journeys, it is required to be retrofitted with a smart tachograph 2 from 31 December 2024. | ||
| Smart tachograph 1 | Smart tachograph 2 | This applies regardless of the type of journeys the vehicle is used for and has applied since 21 February 2024. If the vehicle in which the smart tachograph 1 is fitted is being used for international journeys, it is required to be retrofitted with a smart tachograph 2 from 19 August 2025. | ||
| Smart tachograph 2 | Smart tachograph 2 | None |
4. Payment notices
Please note that the annual payment reminders for 2025 to 2026 will be sent during October 2024.
Several centres had their authorisation withdrawn during 2024 due to non-payment of the fee. Centres are reminded to ensure payments are made promptly to avoid this.