Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

 

1. What is a Digital Tachograph?

The digital tachograph is a control device for road transport which is composed of a Vehicle Unit (VU) essentially containing a printer, two slots for the cards and a display. It is connected to the gearbox via a secured sensor.

The VU is the brain of the system. It is able to hold data in the mass memory on drivers and their periods of driving and duty for about a 12 month period. It also and among others holds data relating to faults, attempts to tamper with the system, over speeding, calibration details, and when data has been accessed, for example, by the Police.

It functions with smart cards. Drivers, companies (operators), workshops (tachograph calibration centres) and enforcement officers (Police for example) have each smart cards according to their specific needs. These enable them to use and / or give access to the data in the VU.

2. Since when is the use of the Digital Tachograph mandatory?

The digital tachograph is mandatory in all new registred vehicles at AETR level as from 16th June 2010.

3. Since when should vehicles be fitted with Digital Tachographs?

Since the 16th of June 2010 at AETR level.

4. Must all vehicles with traditional analogue tachograph be converted and equipped with digital ones?

No. There will be no retrofitting of existing vehicles with the introduction of digital tachographs. This Regulation only applies to vehicles applying for registration for the first time after deadlines have been adopted.

5. How will roadside checks be carried out in the future?

Both digital tachograph and analog tachograph will be controlled.

6. What is a Driver Card?

It is a smart card to be used every day when taking over a vehicle fitted with a digital tachograph. It stores drivers' activities and has an average meory capacity of 28 days.

7. Who can apply for a driver card?

Any driver who has a SRC 1/2/3/4 or 5 can apply for a digital tachograph card.

8. How long is the driver card valid?

5 years

9. Can I have more than one driver card?

No

10.  What happens if my driver card is faulty, gets lost or stolen?

The driver must apply for a replacement card within 7 calendar days of the driver card being defective, lost or stolen.

The issuing authority must issue a replacement card within five working days of receiving a valid application.

In the meantime, the driver must print out data on his driving and rest times recorded in the Vehicle Unit (VU) at the end of the journey, add his personal details and sign the printouts.

It is forbidden (except in some restricted circumstances) for a driver to continue to drive for more than 15 calendar days without a valid driver card.

11.  What does the Digital Tachograph record?

It records drivers' activities, speed, distances, identification data of the vehicle, of the tachograph fitted, calibration data as well as faults and attempts to manipulate the system.

12. Can I display, print out or download the information stored on the driver card?

Yes.

Data can be displayed on the tachograph screen, printed out by the Vehicle Unit (VU) or via a card reader using a printer connected to a laptop and can be downloaded via the VU or via any other other dedicated equipment.

13.  What is a Company Card?

It is a smart card issued to transport company by the competent authority of the country where the company is established to be used to download data stored in tachograph mass memory and to lock the data belonging to this company against any unauthorised access.

14. Can a company get more than one Company Card?

Yes.

15.  What is a Workshop Card?

A workshop card is a smart card issued to, basically, approved workshops and/or their fitters to install, activate, calibrate, check and download digital tachographs.

The workshop card is the only one issued with a PIN.

16. Who gets a Workshop Card?

Only workshops (or their fitters) that have been approved by the appointed Ministry / organization for digital tachographs will receive a Workshop Card.

17. Can the workshop receive more than one card?

Yes.

In a workshop, each technician in charge of digital tachographs can be issued with a Workshop Card if duly trained.

18. What data are stored on the Workshop Card?

Mainly the details of the card's owner and the data relating to the last 88 calibrations performed with this workshop card.

19. What happens when my Workshop Card is full?

Data from the last 88 calibrations are stored on the Workshop Card. When the memory of card is full, it overwrites.