Changes to the tacho legislation

Revisions to the tachograph legislation have been proposed by the European Commission in order to make use of new technological opportunities such as satellite positioning.

The changes will make fraud more difficult and reduce the administrative burden, expecting to save companies millions a year.

The proposal will include:

• Satellite positioning systems to allow automated location recording as opposed to manual recording. Thus providing better monitoring and organising for the logistics chain.
• Remote communication to increase efficiency of roadside checks, which are more likely to target vehicles in breach of the legislation.
• Higher standards for workshops to install and calibrate the tachograph, reducing fraud and manipulation.
• Merging the driving licence with the driver card to be used with the digital tachograph.
• The continuous update of the tachograph specifications, maintaining a high level of security and reducing opportunities for fraud.

The new tachograph legislation will cut down on unintended driver hours errors according to the Freight Transport Association.