Guidance

Approved tachograph centre special notice 04-20

Published 17 November 2020

Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

© Crown copyright 2020

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/approved-tachograph-centre-special-notice-04-20/approved-tachograph-centre-special-notice-04-20

1. Use of unauthorised calibration plaques

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) approves all tachograph calibration equipment, including calibration plaques.

It has come to our attention that some tachograph centres are using non-approved calibration plaques for the Skillray Cito & Webcal calibration software.

Those centres must cease using these immediately and re-stock with approved plaques. If this action is taken promptly, centres will avoid disciplinary action.

Authority is granted by DVSA, that any of the described plaques issued up to the date of this notice need not be replaced, and that the calibration will remain valid.

If centres continue to use non-approved plaques after the issue of this notice, then disciplinary action will be considered in line with the approved tachograph centre manual.

2. Use of unauthorised 1C seals

Some tachograph centres are also using 1C seals from non-DVSA approved distributors.

Only DVSA approved distributors can supply 1C seals within the UK.

Those centres should cease using these immediately and re-stock with 1C Seals from approved suppliers. If this action is taken promptly, centres will avoid disciplinary action.

DVSA will not require any seals already issued to be replaced or tachographs to be recalibrated.

If centres continue to use non-approved seals following the issue of this notice, then disciplinary action will be considered in line with the approved tachograph centre manual.

The current 1C approved seal providers (with seal codes in parenthesis) within the UK are:

  1. (BP) Continental, MAHA and Time.
  2. (UN) Skillray.
  3. (RP) Skillray.
  4. (PR) Encompass.
  5. (AS) Phoenix Equipment.

Disciplinary action is considered on a regular basis within the scheme, with action taken up to and including the withdrawal of authorisations, and the disqualification of centres and staff.

Recent changes in tachograph centre investigations have yielded improved results, showing trends occurring in the casework submitted.

These include incidents of both large and smaller-scale fraud where:

  • incomplete or truncated calibration methods are used
  • false settings are input into the tachograph
  • workshop cards are passed between technicians
  • workshop cards are used outside the premises
  • QC documents are falsified
  • Signatures are falsified

The above is not an exhaustive list of what is being discovered.

For the avoidance of doubt, fraud will not be tolerated within the tachograph scheme.

Proven cases can and have resulted in disqualification for both individuals and centres from the scheme, and could also result in prosecution action being taken. Calibrations can be declared void and centres required to re-calibrate (potentially hundreds of) vehicles at no cost to the operator.

Centres should also consider that any action taken within the scheme is also shared with the speed limiter, MOT and authorised testing facility (ATF) schemes, and may impact their authorisation to conduct such work both at present or when applications are made in the future. Finally, where HGV or PSV operator licences are affected, any action taken may also be referred to the relevant Office of the Traffic Commissioner after investigations have been undertaken.

4. Calibration certificate signatures

Newer tachograph calibration software can complete the technician details on the calibration certificate.

Regardless of this when the vehicle is calibrated it is still necessary for the documents to be signed by the technician. This includes any kept for approved tachograph centre records.

If a copy is requested by the operator, then the certificate may be endorsed with ‘Copy’ or ‘Duplicate’ and no signature is required. Alternatively, a photocopy of the signed record can be used, endorsed as ‘Copy’ or ‘Duplicate’.

5. Suspension of GV219 form

DVSA will no longer require the submission of the GV219 form. Centres are not required to adhere to any previously submitted times. Any forms which are being currently displayed in centres may be removed.

6. DVSA re-commencing enforcement visits

Following the successful implementation of COVID-secure procedures, DVSA enforcement officers will re-commence their periodic checks of ventres. Changes to procedures include submitting some documentation electronically.

Co-operation with DVSA staff with regards to reasonable requests for data, documentation and DVSA COVID-secure procedures is required. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken, up to and including the suspension of authorisation without notice.

7. Distance learning re-certification training course

The following companies have now been approved to provide distance learning recertification courses:

Continental Automotive Trading UK Ltd
Unit 36
Gravelly Industrial Park
Birmingham
B24 8TA
keith.lloyd@continental-corporation.com

Phoenix Equipment Ltd
Nobel Road
Wester Gourdie Industrial Estate
Dundee
DD2 4UH
Telephone: 01382 849230
sales@phoenixequip.co.uk

The courses use a mix of internet-based video sessions, remote instruction, and written examination. As other providers are approved, their details will be added in the next special notice.

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