When I did a digital tachograph course back in April, we were told that if we were driving a mixture of analogue and digital tachograph vehicles, and were stopped by VOSA whilst using an analogue tacho, we would need to show not only any analogue tacho’s and your drivers card, but also the print-out’s from any didgital tacho’s used, for the required current week plus 15 previous days.
On a recent assessment/induction day, which included digital tachograph instruction, we were told that there is no longer the requirement for the print-outs, that you must still show any analogue tacho’s used and also your drivers card. It is up to VOSA to have a card reader for the other info.
Anyone know if this is true?
The information you were given on the course in April was wrong. While it might be good practice, there has never been a legal requirement for the driver to take a print out at the end of their shift. You do however, need to have your digital tacho drivers card with you. In fact if you have been issued with a card you must carry it with you while driving, even if you have not used it since it was issued.
grumpybum:
On a recent assessment/induction day, which included digital tachograph instruction, we were told that there is no longer the requirement for the print-outs, that you must still show any analogue tacho’s used and also your drivers card. It is up to VOSA to have a card reader for the other info.
I would go with that because, as digital tachographs become the norm, and anologue become a rarity, and the fact that a ‘failsafe’ Crystal Ball has yet to be invented, you would be carrying printouts for the rest of your career on the rare offchance that, one day, you might find yourself in an ‘older’ vehicle.
After all, if someone needs a ‘reader’ all they have to do is await a passing ‘new’ vehicle and use that as a ‘reader’.
Just a clarification. While it is true there is no legal requirement for the driver to make a print out under normal circumstances, if you are driving a vehicle without a card, because the card is faulty or has been lost or stolen, then you are required to make a print out. You can only drive a digital tacho equipped vehicle if you have previously been issued with a card and cannot use the card for one of the above reasons. If you have not been issued with a card you cannot drive a digital tacho equipped vehicle.
Just found this on RHA website:
“Furthermore, from 1st May 2006, drivers’ must now be able to produce for examination by an
inspecting officer the record sheets for the current week and the previous 15 days, irrespective of
what type of recording equipment is being operated.”
Doesn’t that mean you must have print-outs?
It also said this:
“Breaks from driving will need to be taken more frequently. It is currently acceptable to take
breaks in three periods of 15 minutes before accumulating 4½ hours driving time. This meant
that it has been legally possible to drive almost 9 hours with only 15 minutes rest. 
A 15 minute
break will still be permitted, but this must be followed by a break of at least 30 minutes before 4½
hours driving time has been completed- to be implemented from 11th April 2007.” Before 4.5? surely that should be “or immediately following”?
I really shouldn’t be allowed to read the rules, more questions than answers! 
I agree wholeheartedly with what Neil has said, there is no legal requirement to take digital printouts at the end of a ‘normal day’ (whatever one of those is).
If you loose your card, or it is stolen, or it stops working you MUST do the following;
- Report the matter to DVLA within 7 calendar days
- On each day you drive you MUST;
- take a VU printout (foe that day) at the start of your shift
- write on it your full name
- your driver card number or your driver licence number
- sign the printout
at the end of your shift you take another VU printout and add the details listed above to the second printout.
- keep both printouts as if they were tachograph charts, you must be able to produce them at a roadside inspection during the current week and the 15 calendar days prior to the current week.
- at the end of this period return the printouts to your employer, who must keep them for 12 months.
You can drive for upto 15 days doing this (or longer if necessary to return to base).
IF YOU HAVE NOT APPLIED FOR A CARD, OR HAVE NOT RECEIVED YOUR FIRST CARD DO NOT DO THE ABOVE. YOU CANNOT LEGALLY DRIVE A DIGI EQUIPPED VEHICLE. VOSA and the Police are now getting really good at asking for Digi Cards. If you cannot produce the one issued to you, even if driving an analogue tacho vehicle expect LOTS of trouble 
grumpybum:
Just found this on RHA website:
“Furthermore, from 1st May 2006, drivers’ must now be able to produce for examination by an
inspecting officer the record sheets for the current week and the previous 15 days, irrespective of
what type of recording equipment is being operated.”
Doesn’t that mean you must have print-outs?
No, it just means that even if you are stopped while driving a digital tacho equipped vehicle than you must be able to produce charts for the days you drove an analogue equipped vehicle and if driving a vehicle with an analogue tacho head you must be able to produce your driver’s card for days you drove a digital tacho equipped truck. In other words you must be able to provide a complete record for the days you drove in the current week and the previous 15 days regardless of whether those records are on tacho charts, digital card or a combination of both.
grumpybum:
It also said this:
“Breaks from driving will need to be taken more frequently. It is currently acceptable to take
breaks in three periods of 15 minutes before accumulating 4½ hours driving time. This meant
that it has been legally possible to drive almost 9 hours with only 15 minutes rest. A 15 minute
break will still be permitted, but this must be followed by a break of at least 30 minutes before 4½
hours driving time has been completed- to be implemented from 11th April 2007.” Before 4.5? surely that should be “or immediately following”?
That’s just the RHA not being too careful in how they have worded their advice. In the document published by the EU detailing the changes to the regulations it has the following regarding breaks.
EU Document:
After a driving period of four and a half hours a driver shall take an uninterrupted break of not less than 45 minutes, unless he takes a rest period.
This break may be replaced by a break of at least 15 minutes followed by a break of at least 30 minutes each distributed over the period in such a way as to comply with the provisions of the first paragraph.
So you can take the full 45 minute break after reaching 4.5 hours. However you can also replace that break with two breaks, the first of 15 minutes and the second of 30 minutes. As they are a replacement for the continuous 45 minute break, the 30 minute part of the break can be taken in the same place as the 45 minute break is permitted to be taken and the new regulations clearly say that this can be after 4.5 hours driving.
Thanks for that Neil and geebee - very much appreciated 