The tachograph is a monitoring device permanently installed in commercial vehicles that automatically records vehicle and driver-related data. It is used to monitor driving and rest times, speed and distances driven and is a key element of road safety. At the same time, it supports compliance with labor law regulations in commercial goods and passenger transport.
Functionality
The tachograph is mandatory in trucks, buses and other vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons. Modern variants, known as smart tachographs, have been standard for new registrations since 2019. They offer extended functions such as GPS tracking and the option of remote data readout by control authorities.
Recorded data
- Driving and rest times
- Speed and distance traveled
- Vehicle movements
- Driver changes and boarding and alighting times
- GPS positions (for new generation digital devices)
Meaning
The tachograph ensures legal certainty, increases transparency in the transport sector and makes an important contribution to road safety. By precisely recording driver data, companies can avoid infringements of the rules and manage their fleet more efficiently.
