VDO offers smart tacho training support
Continental’s tachograph division VDO has explained how it can help fleets, drivers and workshops get to grips with the latest smart tachograph technology via its training offering.
“The last 12 months has seen a lot of communication relating to the tachograph with the introduction of the Smart Tachograph Version 2 on 21 August 2023,” said VDO, pointing to requirements over the next two years to retrofit the smart tachograph version 2 to in-scope vehicles travelling internationally, prior to deadlines set out in the EU Mobility Package 1 (31 December 2024 for vehicles with analogue and ‘non-smart’ 1B digital tachographs, and 18 August 2025 for vehicles with version 1 smart tachographs).
“Failure to comply can lead to significant fines across the EU member states which can range from £300 up to €30,000, and legal consequences which can include up 12 months’ imprisonment,” warned VDO.
“These new devices come with many new features, especially in comparison to earlier 1b [‘non-smart’] digital and analogue tachographs.”
As such, VDO strongly recommends that fleets and drivers get suitable training on the new version 2 smart tachographs in order to understand these features, such as the Bluetooth functionality, the GNSS (global navigation satellite system which was introduced in smart tachograph version 1) and the DSRC (digital short-range communication – the system which is used by the authorities and now scans 25 bits of data, including driving activity data, to decide whether they want to stop a vehicle for further investigation).
“The way the smart tachograph version 2 operates can differ too, even for those drivers using vehicles with a smart tachograph version 1 fitted, with automatic detection of border crossings, as well as changes to the printouts and additional sections on the menu structure,” said VDO.
“Additionally, tasks that have often seen a lot of requests for training and support like manual entries will also need reviewing, with later tachographs (from VDO’s DTCO 1.4 and Stoneridge’s Exakt onwards) needing to be entered in local time instead of UTC time.”
The company also highlighted further changes as a result of the EU Mobility Package 1 set to enter force in December, whereby drivers will need to record all activities, including rest and other work, for the previous 56 days instead of 28.
“Workshops are not excluded from this need for training,” VDO added.
“There will be additional calibration requirements with the smart tachograph version 2, such as checking that the version identifier of the stored digital map is the most recent one (updating if necessary), changes to in the installation plaque, plus functional tests.
“Workshops will also need to update their equipment to handle the new smart tachograph version 2 calibrations and retrofit, unlocking new functions, which will be new to technicians and where additional training and support will be required.
“VDO is continuously aiming to support the market with an array of service information notes and training courses (both free and chargeable), that cover everything from workshops on the new calibration requirements, to fleets and drivers on the new features and operation of the smart tachograph version 2, to more specific courses focused on key topics like manual entries.”
