Guidance

Approved tachograph centre special notice 01-18

Published 13 December 2018

1. Annex 1C ‘smart’ tachograph update

EC legislation will come into force for annex 1C ‘Smart’ tachographs on 15 June 2019.

The first annex 1C tachographs should be delivered to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) in December 2018 and it is expected that they will start to arrive at approved tachograph centres (ATCs) in March 2019. These tachographs have much more stringent sealing requirements, will periodically update global positioning satellite (GPS) co-ordinates on the tachograph record, and can also transmit some data to short-range receivers.

Due to the differences in these tachographs in comparison to the previous generation of units, and changes to the sealing requirements of all tachographs under annex 1C, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will require additional training to be undertaken in line with the below requirements.

2. Compulsory nominated technicians (NT) training update

By 30 June 2019, all nominated technicians must have passed a DVSA approved training course with respect to the installation, calibration and use of annex 1C tachographs and the altered sealing requirements. This is regardless of whether their ATC is upgrading to annex 1C tachograph standard.

This requirement is so all technicians are aware of the increased sealing requirements which will come into force for tachographs.

From 1 January 2019, all NT initial and refresher training courses will include the needed annex 1C elements.

Approved ‘uplift’ courses will also be available from training providers, and will run from January to June 2019. If a technician passes this course, it will not change the expiry date of their current training certificate.

The ATC designated manager must then ensure that DVSA Tachograph Section receives a copy of the annex 1C training certificate, preferably by email to [email protected]. Given the numbers of certificates involved, please ensure any correspondence to DVSA Tachograph Section clearly states the ATC details.

If an NT does not successfully complete a required course, their current tachograph training certificate will expire on 1 July 2019, regardless of the stated date on their certificate. If this occurs, they can no longer undertake any installation, calibration or repair work covered by the approved tachograph centre manual until they have passed a full initial training course.

It is the responsibility of both the ATC and the NT to ensure the required training has been undertaken. Any installation, calibration or tachograph work undertaken on tachographs without the required training having been passed, may result in disciplinary action being taken against both the ATC and NT, up to and including the withdrawal of authorisation and disqualification from the scheme.

3. Annex 1C authorised tachograph centres

DVSA will not mandate that all ATCs upgrade their equipment if they do not wish to undertake any work on annex 1C tachographs.

In order to upgrade to annex 1C standard, the centre must have the correct authorised equipment to do so and have staff trained to the required standard. An updated list of the required equipment, and if needed, calibration certificates must then be sent to DVSA Tachograph Section with a completed GV208-1C form. Once received and found to be in order DVSA will approve the ATC for annex 1C work. An updated GV209-1C certificate must replace the GV209 certificate in the relevant display area.

It is the responsibility of the ATC and the NT to ensure all installation, calibration or tachograph work on annex 1C tachographs is only undertaken following the receipt of a GV209-1C certificate from DVSA, and by staff trained to annex 1C standard. If work is undertaken without the ATC or NT being properly authorised this may result in disciplinary action being taken against both the ATC and NT, up to and including the withdrawal of authorisation and disqualification from the scheme.

4. Retrofitting or replacement of tachograph vehicle units and senders

To date, any replacement tachographs or components could be the same type and version as the replaced component.

From 1 January 2019, the following will apply.

All replacement annex 1B digital tachographs/senders (previously known as 1st, 2nd and 3rd generation tachographs) must be compliant with the latest Annex 1B tachograph version on the date of replacement, regardless of whether the currently fitted equipment is faulty or not, the age/type of the vehicle, or the tachograph/sender being replaced.

As a result, any annex 1B version 1 and 2 tachograph (previously known as 1st and 2nd generation tachographs) vehicle/sender units must be replaced by annex 1B version 3 equipment (previously known as a 3 rd generation tachograph).

Any new installations of tachograph equipment into vehicles that previously did not have a one must be an annex 1B version 3 tachograph/sender until 15 June 2019, from which point the installation must be the latest version annex 1C tachograph/sender.

If a vehicle is first registered prior to 1 October 2012, the independent motion sensor (IMS) is not mandatory when an annex 1B version 3 tachograph is fitted as a replacement or a new installation.

Due to compatibility problems between components, this requirement will not apply to analogue tachographs or senders.

5. DVSA approved training providers

Emcompass GRP Ltd has recently become an approved DVSA training provider.

The following companies are the current approved training providers approved by DVSA.

5.1 Continental Automotive Trading UK Ltd

Continental Automotive Trading UK Ltd
36 Gravelly Industrial Park
Birmingham
B24 8TA

[email protected]
Telephone: 0121 3261200

5.2 Encompass GRP Ltd

Encompass GRP Ltd
Silverstone Park
Silverstone
NN12 8GX

[email protected]
Telephone: 01327 317533

5.3 Skillray

Skillray
10 Rufford Court
Hardwick Grange
Warrington
WA1 4RF

[email protected]
Telephone: 01925 880081

5.4 Stoneridge Electronics Ltd

Stoneridge Electronics Ltd
Charles Bowman Avenue
Claverhouse Industrial Park
Dundee
DD4 9UB

[email protected]
Telephone: 01382 866400

5.5 Time Instruments Ltd

Time Instruments Ltd
Acctim House
Jenna Way
Interchange Park
Newport Pagnell
MK16 9QJ

[email protected]

Telephone: 01908 449200