Tachographs: rules for drivers and operators
Overview
Tachographs record information about driving time, speed and distance. They’re used to make sure drivers and employers follow the rules on drivers’ hours.
When you need a tachograph
You must use a tachograph if the vehicle you’re driving comes under assimilated rules (previously called EU rules) or AETR rules.
Find out if assimilated or AETR rules apply to the passenger carrying vehicle or goods vehicle that you’re driving.
Exemptions
You do not have to use a tachograph if your vehicle is not covered by assimilated rules or if it’s exempt from assimilated rules on drivers’ hours.
Types of tachograph
There are 4 types of tachograph:
- analogue
- digital
- smart 1
- smart 2 (either full or transitional)
All vehicles can use a full smart 2 tachograph. You can use older types of tachograph depending on when your vehicle was first registered.
| Date the vehicle was registered | Type of tachograph you can use |
|---|---|
| Before 1 May 2006 | You can use any type of tachograph |
| Between 1 May 2006 and 14 June 2019 | You must use either a digital or smart tachograph |
| Between 15 June 2019 and 20 February 2024 | You must use either a smart 1 or a full or transitional smart 2 tachograph |
| Between 21 February 2024 and 23 December 2025 | You must use a full or transitional smart 2 tachograph |
| From 24 December 2025 | You must use a full smart 2 tachograph |
Information from digital and smart tachographs is saved on smart cards so it can be checked later. There are different types of card for:
Further information
Read the guides on drivers’ hours and tachographs for goods vehicles and passenger service vehicles (PSVs). They include the rules on:
- analogue tachographs - including proper record keeping and filling in ‘centrefield’ entries
- digital and smart tachographs - including using drivers’ cards, lost, stolen or faulty cards, setting the time and manual record keeping
- common rules for all tachographs - including ‘multi-manning’ and keeping second driver records, recording other work, rest-days and days off
- responsibilities of operators - including calibrating and maintaining tachograph equipment
- what happens if you do not follow the rules
There are specific rules for tachographs and horse boxes or trailers and tachographs and recovery vehicles.