Guidance

Approved tachograph centre special notice 02-20

Published 2 July 2020

1. Periodic inspections

Item 1 of special notice 01-20 is revoked and is replaced by this item.

On 3 April 2020, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) temporarily extended the validity of all tachograph calibration certificates for 3 months to relieve urgent pressures within the tachograph and vehicle maintenance industry. All certificates were extended for 3 months to ensure that demand for tachograph calibrations remained within industry capacity. Since then, EU measures have been introduced to extend the validity of certificates for 6 months when they expire from 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020.

Given this, all tachograph calibration and inspection certificates which are listed as expiring between 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020, are extended by 6 months from the date the calibration was originally due.

DVSA considers that there will be sufficient capacity by 1 September 2020 to carry out calibrations normally due from this date, in addition to calibrations covered by EU measure that are taking place 6 months later than usual. Consequently, all tachograph calibration certificates issued from 1 September 2018 must be calibrated within the usual 2-year deadline.

Example A vehicle with a digital tachograph which last had a calibration on 15 June 2018, would have normally need a periodic calibration by 15 June 2020. Due to the relaxation, it will receive a 6-month extension to this date. The calibration would now be due on 15 December 2020. No additional certificates will be issued to show the additional period.

As previously, any faults with the tachograph system must be repaired as normal, the tachograph system must function as required by the legislation, and the system is required to be sealed in line with the requirements. Initial calibrations are to continue, and any changes to the various parameters (such are tyre size, vehicle registration, etc) will also require action as normal.

2. Extension of current training certificate expiry dates

The expiry of all current and valid tachograph training certificates dated from 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020 will be extended by 6 months from their current expiry date. This will not apply to certificates which already expired prior to 1 March 2020.

Where possible, approved tachograph centres (ATCs) and nominated technicians (NTs) may use refresher training which has been specifically approved for distance learning. This may be via video link, or via other means. As and when these courses are approved ATCs will be informed. Currently, there are 2 re-certification courses which are approved for distance learning. These are provided by Skillray and Encompass. Full details will be provided in a separate special notice.

3. Periodic quality control checks

All quality control (QC) checks which require the observation or checking of a calibration will be suspended until 31 August 2020.

From 1 September 2020 QC checks will re-commence. All NTs listed at centres must receive a QC check during either September or October 2020. However, it must be stressed that any issues with calibrations which are discovered may still result in disciplinary action against both the NT and the ATC.

4. Tachograph centre equipment calibration

All tachograph equipment requiring periodic calibration between 1 March 2020 and 31 August 2020 will receive a 6 month extension to their certificates. As per other extensions, no additional certification is required. As previously stated, if there are any indications of faults, or inaccuracies with the equipment, then use of the equipment must cease and the issues must be rectified.

5. 1C tachograph retrofit programme

Vehicles that required a 1C tachograph to be installed from 15 June 2019 but instead had a 1B tachograph installed (due to the unavailability of the Kitas 4 sender unit) must be fitted with a 1C tachograph by 1 September 2020. This replaces the previous retrofit date of 14 June 2020.