Tachodisc In The News
Difficulties with Digital tachograph driver and company cards.
There have been a number of instances recently of error 48 being displayed on the digital tachograph units. Error 48 refers to an invalid or expired driver and / or company card and occurs when the card is inserted.
The DVLA (Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency) is aware of the issue and have released the following.
DVLA is aware that some drivers are reporting difficulties with certain digital driver cards and company cards. We are urgently investigating the problem and in the meantime, DVLA is issuing the following advice to drivers.
If your card is faulty you will need to return it with a completed application form D777B to DVLA who will issue a new card. You will need to apply within seven calendar days for a replacement. Application forms are downloadable from the Business Link website or available from DVLA (tel 0300 790 6109), DVLA local offices and VOSA testing stations.
Where possible try the card in a different vehicle unit (VU) to double check that the card is faulty.
If you do not return the faulty card, DVLA will have to treat the card as lost or stolen and charge the relevant fee.
You can drive without the lost, stolen or damaged card for a maximum of 15 calendar days. You can drive for longer in order for the vehicle to return to its premises provided you produce two printouts – one for the beginning of the journey and one for the end.
How this affects you
You can continue to drive until you receive a replacement card providing you keep manual records. We have agreed with the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) that no enforcement action will be taken against drivers with one of the malfunctioning cards as long as they continue to follow the usual rules.
VOSA has contacted their enforcement counterparts in Europe to ask that the same arrangements be put in place for UK drivers holding these cards.
What you need to do
-
• If you have already reported the driver or company card(s) as malfunctioning to DVLA, either by telephone or by applying for a replacement you should receive a new card(s) soon. You do not need to take any further action.
• If you have not applied for a replacement driver card you do not need to take any action. We will automatically issue a new card to the address shown on our records. If you need to update your driver card address please see www.direct.gov.uk/changemyaddress. Replacement cards will be issued as soon as possible. We will include a letter with the replacement card explaining what you need to do with your old card.
• If you have not applied for a replacement company card(s) you do not need to take any action. We will automatically issue a new card(s) to the address above. If you need to update your company address please see www.businesslink.gov.uk for instructions. Replacement card(s) will be issued as soon as possible. We will include a letter with the replacement card(s) explaining what you need to do with your old card.
• If your card is due to expire you will still receive a reminder to renew the card and you should do so in the normal way. You will then receive a new card. Drivers should continue to complete manual records until the start date of that card.
We are experiencing a large number of enquiries about this problem and at times it may be difficult to contact us. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and would ask you not to call unless absolutely necessary.
Tachodisc recommends therefore that sufficient supplies of print rolls are issued to drivers. Recommended procedure is for a driver to carry at least 1 spare roll and one in the machine.
The manual records required from the drivers are two printouts from the VU, one at the start of the journey and one at the end. The driver must ensure that the following is entered on the printout- name, driver card or driver license number and a signature. It is also best practice for the driver to highlight the area of the printout which is relevant to their records.
For further help and advice call Tachodisc on 01925 283328