Are digicards encrypted, if not is it possible to decode/view/download (NO WRITING TO THE CARD AT ALL) the raw data at home using a card reader, without without tripping any security measures? wanting to have a go at writing some software useful for a driver, but don’t want to risk my own card experimenting.
I think this link: andreas.goelzer.de/readesm-readi … raph-files might be of some help (points to the EC 1360/2002)
Shouldn’t be any problem dumping data off the card with a USB card reader to read on a PC. (Unless you are a Tefal-head, you might doze off reading it. I did!)
MADBAZ:
Are digicards encrypted, if not is it possible to decode/view/download (NO WRITING TO THE CARD AT ALL) the raw data at home using a card reader, without without tripping any security measures? wanting to have a go at writing some software useful for a driver, but don’t want to risk my own card experimenting.
Just out of interest, what programming language do you write ?
I’m thinking of jumping on the bandwagon and converting to Objective C. But for this project just plain old (rusty) c++ will do.
Apologies for the delay in responding, due to pressures of work, if you believe that 
Basically the system was designed so that any suitable equipment and programme would be able to ‘download’ (copy) data from the card. The term downloading is specified in the legislation and requires that the data is simply copied and the original remains on the card chip unmodified.
The data file apart from some of the bits used for the digital signature is unencrypted. Most of the stuff is in hexadecimal although there are some bits in binary. You need to get a copy of Council Regulation (EC) 1360/2002 to see how the card file is structured.
In theory, the system is designed so that the only thing that may write activity data to the card is a VU. Not that anybody would want to write dodgy stuff to their card, would they 
If it helps any my card reader is an SCR531, but there are quite a few others available.
Just looking at card renewals and found this on the government business link website. As many cards must now be coming up for renewal or even past that date, this may be of interest.
Early chip expiry
DVLA is aware of an issue with driver and company cards issued before 26 August 2006. Driver cards will stop recording activity and company cards will stop locking or unlocking and downloading data 24 hours before the expiry date. Estimates are that 65,000 driver cards and 14,000 company cards will be affected. Any cards replaced since 26 August 2006 will not be affected.
The affected cards will show as invalid for this day and will be treated as malfunctioning. There is no need to notify DVLA or return the card on this occasion. Cardholders can continue to drive on this day but must keep records using the print out facility on the Vehicle Unit (VU).
When DVLA issue the renewal reminders the affected cardholders will be informed of this problem and advised of the VU printouts procedures. DVLA will also inform cardholders on where they can find additional information, including how to contact one of Vehicle and Operator Service Agency’s (VOSA) traffic examiners.
How to keep drivers’ hours records using printouts produced by the VUA daily activities printout must be produced from the VU on the last two days before the expiry date of your card.
You need to do this:
- when you take over the vehicle
- when you leave the vehicle
On these two days do not produce a printout from your driver card, as this may be blank.
The printouts must be clearly endorsed with:
- driver name
- driver licence and/or driver card number
- any manual entries needed to show periods of other work, availability and rest or break
- the driver’s signature.
You must:
- retain these printouts along with your card, as records of your work for 28 days
- keep them in your possession when driving so you can produce them at the roadside
- ensure that you or your employer downloads the data from your expired driver card as soon as possible
- return the printouts to your employer within 42 days of printing them
You or your employer needs to store the printouts safely for 12 months or up to two years if they are used as records for calculating your working time, under the Road Transport (Working Time) Regulations 2005.
If your card is in a VU when it expires you must remove it and insert your new card. This must be done immediately, or as soon as it is safe for you to do so.
Your new card will start to record data from the start of validity date, which can be found in field 4a on the front of the card.
Thanx for the info, when I’ve finished my current project, I’ll be buried in this one, hopefully with something useful and very cheap at the end of it.