Get Tachograph Exemption Form

There are four cards (collectively known as digital tachograph cards) that are used by the digital tachograph system: Driver card - used by drivers. Company card - for use by the operator. Workshop card - available only to approved calibration centres.

Tachographs record how long you've been driving for, and are compulsory in all vehicles weighing more than 3.5 tonnes that are being used for commercial benefit. However, you'll also need one if you are towing a trailer and the total gross weight of the vehicle and trailer is more than 3.5 tonnes.

The OUT mode can also be switched on during the journey, which is unsuitable for transporting goods, eg when it is moving with the tractor itself. Regulation 561/2006 also excludes road assistance (up to 100 km from the base) and transport of persons on a regular route up to 50 km.

How can I tell what my vehicle's weight limit is? Builders are legally obliged to fit a tachograph if the vehicle in question weighs more than 3.5 tonnes. This is often referred to as the gross vehicle weight (GVW) or the maximum authorised mass (MAM). You can find your vehicle's weight limits in the owner's manual.

It is technically possible to operate vehicles fitted with a tachograph without a tachograph card. Although this is illegal, there are a few very rare exceptions. The main reason for driving without a tachograph card is allowed when the card is irretrievable (lost, damaged, malfunctioning or stolen).

Some types of vehicles exempt include: a passenger vehicle constructed and equipped to carry not more than nine people, including the driver. a vehicle whose gross vehicle weight is not more than 3.5 tonnes. a vehicle with a maximum authorised speed not exceeding 40kph.

The following vehicles are the only vehicles that are exempt from the LCV tachograph rules: Vehicles which cannot exceed 40km/h. Emergency service and armed forces vehicles. Breakdown recovery vehicles that are within 100km of their base.