- Tachograph Chart Symbols Meanings
- Digital Tachograph
- Tachograph Chart Symbols Copy
- Tachograph Card
- Tachograph On Trucks
Tachographs are devices fitted to vehicles that record and store various different types of data – including journey distance, speed and driving time. A tachograph specifically registers the driving and rest times of professional drivers. The driver and the company must store and keep secure these registration files. Topics on this page:
Tachograph analysis of analogue charts is just as simple too All you have to do is scan the analogue chart and then enter the centre field details. Within one minute your tachograph analysis will be complete. You'll be fully compliant and will know whether any Drivers' Hours, or Working Time Directive infringements have been made. Q: What do tachograph symbols mean? A: There are many different tachograph symbols, and remembering the meaning of all of them is far from simple. However, there are certain key symbols which everyone who uses tachographs should ensure they get to know. These include: Drive – this means, as is no doubt obvious, that the driver is active. Historically, tachographs used a paper chart record, but all new vehicles now use a digital system, whereby the driver uses their own card inserted into the vehicle unit. Do I need to use a tachograph? If the goods vehicle you are driving comes under EU or AETR rules then you must use a tachograph. Generally this relates to a goods vehicle with.
Tachograph Chart Symbols Meanings
Drive, Available, Rest/Break and Other
Since 1 May 2006, the digital tachograph (Digitach) is mandatory in all EU member states. Driving and rest time registration were made more transparent and less susceptible to fraud, to improve the working conditions of the bus and truck drivers as well as to enhance general safety on the roads. Digital tachographs have therefore become an indispensable tool for the purposes of fleet management, now widely used throughout the transport sector. They can help to provide evidence that drivers abide by EU Drivers' Hours regulations, as they are obliged to. But getting to grips with tachograph devices isn't always easy.
Following the introduction of the tachograph, their use has been simplified by the implementation of certain symbols. For harmonisation purposes, four key symbol formats have been legally established. These symbols depict the different main driver statuses of Drive, Available, Rest/Break and Other Work and they are still applicable in the sector. Soon after the ratification of these four symbols, different tachograph manufacturers have expanded these key symbols and now include a wide variety of symbols.
Why is it important to know the tachograph symbols?
Everyone who uses a tachograph should know the symbols used. Every symbol depicts a different driver status and helps a driver to prevent accidental infringements. If you don't have a good knowledge of these symbols, it becomes very hard to make proper use of a tachograph. In addition to the key symbols, different brands of tachographs make use of a more or less different set of symbols. Every driver needs to know the specific set that is applicable to the tachograph he or she uses. Any mistake might result in safety risks as well as infringements which could result in fines.
Big savings to win for tachograph analysts
The way tachograph symbols eases the analysis of tachograph data, a remote download solution of the tachograph files will boost any analyst's and fleet managers' time and concerns savings. A universal Remote Tacho Download solution has been designed in order to unburden fleet managers by automating the download of digital tachograph files of all manufacturers. Instead of manually downloading tachograph and driver data from the vehicle, the FleetGO solution enables the fleet manager to see and analyze all digital tachograph files in one single platform. Data is sent via our control unit directly into the platform. All files are checked on completeness and integrity so you know for sure if your archive meets the EU-regulations. To organize one's process of collection and storage the .ddd files becomes easier than ever before.
Why is it important to know the tacho symbols and their meanings?
Tachograph symbols obviously simplify the use of a tachograph for drivers. It was decided to use multiple symbols to increase the utility of the device for drivers and managers.
At the same time, symbols can support the control and analysis of the tachograph data. The appliance of symbols helps people to visualise a driving and resting pattern at a glance. Fleet managers or operators have various responsibilities when it comes to digital tacho data. They are obliged to download and store data from drivers' cards and vehicle units, as well as keep a watchful eye on drivers' records and printouts. They must report instances of non-compliance with drivers' hours regulations, incidents of excess speeding, missing activities and missing start/end locations. In addition, operators are responsible for training drivers to use tachograph systems, ensuring proper use of drivers' cards, and making sure that tachograph devices are properly calibrated and in full working order. The use and representation of tachograph symbols can save a lot of time in carrying out these responsibilities.
Image: tachograph symbols used in tachograph analysis software.
How are symbols represented by a tachograph?
The tachograph symbols represent the current tachograph status. The ‘driving mode' is activated automatically when the vehicle is moving. The digital tachograph usually automatically selects the ‘other activities' mode when it comes to a standstill. The ‘break/rest' and ‘available' modes can be manually selected by the driver while the vehicle is standing still.
What are tachograph symbols called?
The symbol visuals are usually called ‘symbols', but also ‘signs', ‘pictograms' or ‘icons'.
Tachograph chart symbol
Each tachograph offers a minimum of four different driver statuses depicted by a unique symbol. These symbols are legally established by EU regulations (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R0165&from=EN article 34, number 5b i-iv) and their formats must be adhered to by every manufacturer.
Tachograph Driving Symbol
The ‘Driving' symbol indicates the status of a driver driving the vehicle, usually followed by the time spent driving. This symbol also includes the time the vehicles engine is running without the vehicle moving, because of a traffic light or a traffic jam. This symbol applies as long the driver is behind the wheel, and the engine is running, even when the vehicle is stationary or parked. It is automatically recorded as such on most tachographs, and hence there is no need for drivers to deliberately select this option.
Tachograph Other work Symbol
Big savings to win for tachograph analysts
The way tachograph symbols eases the analysis of tachograph data, a remote download solution of the tachograph files will boost any analyst's and fleet managers' time and concerns savings. A universal Remote Tacho Download solution has been designed in order to unburden fleet managers by automating the download of digital tachograph files of all manufacturers. Instead of manually downloading tachograph and driver data from the vehicle, the FleetGO solution enables the fleet manager to see and analyze all digital tachograph files in one single platform. Data is sent via our control unit directly into the platform. All files are checked on completeness and integrity so you know for sure if your archive meets the EU-regulations. To organize one's process of collection and storage the .ddd files becomes easier than ever before.
Why is it important to know the tacho symbols and their meanings?
Tachograph symbols obviously simplify the use of a tachograph for drivers. It was decided to use multiple symbols to increase the utility of the device for drivers and managers.
At the same time, symbols can support the control and analysis of the tachograph data. The appliance of symbols helps people to visualise a driving and resting pattern at a glance. Fleet managers or operators have various responsibilities when it comes to digital tacho data. They are obliged to download and store data from drivers' cards and vehicle units, as well as keep a watchful eye on drivers' records and printouts. They must report instances of non-compliance with drivers' hours regulations, incidents of excess speeding, missing activities and missing start/end locations. In addition, operators are responsible for training drivers to use tachograph systems, ensuring proper use of drivers' cards, and making sure that tachograph devices are properly calibrated and in full working order. The use and representation of tachograph symbols can save a lot of time in carrying out these responsibilities.
Image: tachograph symbols used in tachograph analysis software.
How are symbols represented by a tachograph?
The tachograph symbols represent the current tachograph status. The ‘driving mode' is activated automatically when the vehicle is moving. The digital tachograph usually automatically selects the ‘other activities' mode when it comes to a standstill. The ‘break/rest' and ‘available' modes can be manually selected by the driver while the vehicle is standing still.
What are tachograph symbols called?
The symbol visuals are usually called ‘symbols', but also ‘signs', ‘pictograms' or ‘icons'.
Tachograph chart symbol
Each tachograph offers a minimum of four different driver statuses depicted by a unique symbol. These symbols are legally established by EU regulations (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014R0165&from=EN article 34, number 5b i-iv) and their formats must be adhered to by every manufacturer.
Tachograph Driving Symbol
The ‘Driving' symbol indicates the status of a driver driving the vehicle, usually followed by the time spent driving. This symbol also includes the time the vehicles engine is running without the vehicle moving, because of a traffic light or a traffic jam. This symbol applies as long the driver is behind the wheel, and the engine is running, even when the vehicle is stationary or parked. It is automatically recorded as such on most tachographs, and hence there is no need for drivers to deliberately select this option.
Tachograph Other work Symbol
The ‘Other work' symbol – indicates that the driver is logged in and doing work other than driving. The vehicle is standing still. This status may include helping out with loading and unloading, work for the supplier or another employer, and even work outside the transport and fleet sector.
Tachograph Available Symbol
The ‘Available' symbol indicates the driver's availability. Periods of availability include waiting time, time spent on a bunk while the vehicle is in motion, taking a vehicle on a ferry or waiting for loading and unloading. It is stated that during this period the driver needs to remain at his or her post only for the purpose of answering calls to start or resume driving.
Tachograph Break Symbol (Or Rest Period Symbol)
The ‘Break/Rest' symbol indicates that the driver is taking a break or is resting. This includes both in-work breaks and daily/weekly rest periods.
A Wide Variety of other Tachograph Symbols
Besides the basic four, a wide variety of tachograph symbols is used to symbolise certain statuses, equipments or roles. Each manufacturer provides its own specific set of symbols, representing for instance Operational Modes, Driver Activities, Cards and Equipment. Combinations of symbols are also often used to point out for instance Faults, specific Driving periods, different kinds of Cards. A full list and guide to tachograph symbols and icons is provided by each respective manufacturer, usually included in a user guide or instruction manual that comes with the specific brand and version of the tachograph that is acquired.
Take a look here for directions to different manufacturers' downloads:
General list of tachograph symbols: free download
To be sure you are well informed about the most common symbols, download this list. It covers the most common and most used symbols based on 90% of the market, derived from the tachograph market dominance of VDO. To your convenience, the list is free for use for any driver, fleet manager or affiliated user.
Using a digital tachograph is an integral part of the drivers work. It provides a lot of information to both the drivers and their managers and it's crucial to understand all the data you're getting from it. Whether you have been using Tachogram for a while now or are about to start, a simple explanation on what data can you see and what do all the charts in the system mean, may help you to better plan your work and avoid violating the EC regulations.
Basic activities recorded by tachograph is the central element of the Tachogram charts and can be seen both in the website and mobile application. Each type of activity is displayed using a different colour:
Digital Tachograph
● Driving – red;
● Work – orange;
● Availability – yellow;
● Rest – light blue.
Rest periods
In addition to basic activities, Tachogram also displays interpreted activities on the charts. The resting periods that are identified as daily and weekly resting periods are also displayed:
● The daily resting periods are displayed in a different shade of blue just under the charts. For your convenience the reduced daily resting periods also include the number of reduced rests used in that specific week;
● Weekly resting periods are displayed in the central part of the charts, using a shade of light blue colour;
● Another topic to be discussed in some of the next blog posts is the reduced weekly rest compensation times. They are shown in violet colour and located at the same level as weekly resting periods.
Daily working period
Daily working period is displayed on the top of the charts in light green colour. Due to the fact that in most cases you need to understand your daily driving time, this information is also included in the green zone. Additionally, this block contains information about shift start and end countries, which are represented by ●► and ►● symbols, the same way they're used in tachographs. Also, you can see the abbreviations of the countries where the daily working period started and where it ended on top of the green bar.
Tachograph Chart Symbols Copy
Vertical dashed lines
You will notice dashed green and red vertical lines in some parts of the charts . The green lines represent the 24 and 30 hour periods after the start of the daily working period. These lines can easily help you understand why your daily resting period was cut off at some specific point. The red lines represent the end of 6 x 24 hour periods, after which you need to have the next regular or reduced resting period.
Crew driving status
Crew driving status is represented by either one or two black horizontal lines on the charts. If your card is inserted in the driver slot and you are driving in a crew, one black line is added to the chart. If your card is inserted in the co-driver slot, two black lines will show in the charts. There are some situations when having this information in the charts allows you to better understand what has happened with the vehicle in particular situations.
Events
● Driver card insertion – a black, thin vertical line with an arrow facing downwards;
● Driver card withdrawal – a black, thin vertical line with an arrow facing upwards;
● Daily working period start – ●►;
● Daily working period end – ►●;
● Ferry/Train crossing – ~ character;
● Events registered by tachograph – black exclamation marks on yellow background;
● Faults registered by tachograph – black exclamation marks on red background.
Tachograph Card
Infringements
Finally, we have reached the most interesting part – the infringements. They are displayed as coloured flags on the top of the charts:
● The light blue flag represents a minor violation;
● Orange flag – a serious violation;
● Red flag – very serious violation.
Hopefully, you won't see a black flag, as this is the most serious violation category. All of the violation severities are categorised according to EC regulations.
Tachograph On Trucks
As you can see, there is a lot of useful information Tachogram provides to ensure your safety on the road and compliance to international regulations. If you're using our mobile app on a regular basis, you'll notice that it doesn't have as much information available as the online version has. The app will show you the most important things you need to see while being on the road, such as remaining driving time, rest times, activities, your driver card downloads. The full data analysis can be accessed on your profile at Tachogram website at any time you wish. However, if you still need some assistance or advice on how to read your Tachogram charts, don't hesitate to contact us.
If you haven't tried Tachogram yet, sign up for a free trial!
