Approved tachograph centre special notice 01-16
Published 19 February 2016
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2016
This publication is licensed under the terms of the Open Government Licence v3.0 except where otherwise stated. To view this licence, visit nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3 or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gov.uk.
Where we have identified any third party copyright information you will need to obtain permission from the copyright holders concerned.
This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tachograph-special-notice-01-16/tachograph-centre-special-notice-01-16
1. Contents of special notice
| Item | Page | Subject | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Desk based assessments | DM, NT |
| 2 | 2 | Approved tachograph centre manual | DM, NT |
| 3 | 3 | Designated manager training | DM, NT |
| 4 | 3 | New equipment approvals | DM, NT |
| 5 | 5 | Activation and calibration procudure | DM, NT |
| 6 | 5 | Unusual motion sensor | DM, NT |
| 7 | 6 | Electronic plaques | DM, NT |
| 8 | 6 | Calibrations using high speed rollers | DM, NT |
| 9 | 6 | M1 N1 Adapters - extension to their use | DM, NT |
Designated Managers (DMs) must read and understand the content of this special notice (SN) and sign to that effect in the box below.
DMs must also ensure all Nominated Technicians (NTs) are issued with this special notice, read and understand its contents and sign to confirm they have read and understood its contents.
DMs are required to keep the signed special notices in the rear of the approved tachograph centre manual which should always be available for reference.
All NTs must sign in the boxes below to confirm that they have read and understood the contents of this special notice.
These special notices may be requested by DVSA staff for inspection during routine visits.
2. Desk based assessments
As mentioned in SN 3 – 2015, SN 1 - 2015 outlined the new process for approved tachograph centre (ATC) monitoring that was implemented to meet the requirements of new EU Regulation 165/2014. As part of the new process, approved tachograph centre’s are subject to a formal desk based assessment which they must complete. Unfortunately significant numbers of ATCs have ignored these requests and have now found themselves subject to formal disciplinary action. Ignoring these requests will put your ATC authorisation at risk of being withdrawn.
DMs are also reminded of their responsibilities within the tachograph calibration scheme to notify DVSA of any changes to the status of their centre including personnel and contact details. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action being taken against the centre.
3. Approved tachograph centre manual (ATCM) and approved equipment list
The approved tachograph centre is currently being reviewed with key stakeholders within the UK Tachograph Calibration Scheme. As a result of this review, new sections 9 and 10 have been issued with section 10 (Digital tachographs) undergoing a significant rewrite. These new sections can now be viewed in The approved tachograph centre manual.
Designated Managers (DMs) must ensure that Nominated Technicians (NTs) are shown these new sections. Further revised sections will come on line once they have been agreed and finalised.
The approved equipment list will now be published as a separate document running alongside the ATCM on the website.
4. Designated manager training
Skillray Transport Services UK has developed a suitable Designated Managers course as outlined in SN 3 -2015. Further details are available from Skillray tel: 01925 880081.
TIME Instruments Ltd has developed a suitable Designated Managers course as outlined in SN 3 -2015. Further details are available from TIME tel: 01908 449200.
Continental Automotive Trading Ltd has developed a suitable Designated Managers course as outlined in SN 3 -2015. Further details can be obtained from Continental tel: 0121 326 1234.
TachoManage Limited has developed a suitable Designated Managers course as outlined in SN 3 -2015. For further information tel: 07858 121143 fax: 01908 612370 email: bobtachomanuk@aol.com
5. New equipment approvals
Stoneridge Tachograph Calibration Add On for BM Test RBT Part number 9600-023.
This add on to the BM roller brake tester consist mainly of 2 parts:
The laser sensor mounted to the RBT to count the number of wheel rotations and a RBT centre roller mounted, rotation counter to calculate the distance travelled by the rear wheel. These two components are connected together via a junction box to which either the Stoneridge programmer or Wireless Optimo programmer can connect to. This allows the RBT to be used for tachograph calibrations. To obtain further details of the equipment contact Stoneridge Electronics Ltd tel: 01382 866400.
The Continental KITAS Test cable Part Number A2C59514991:
- read KITAS sensor serial number directly
- identifies types of KITAS Sensors
- pulse tests KITAS sensor
The cable connects one end to the vehicle sender unit and the other end to the CTCII programmer. Using the programmer menu, select KITAS and then select Serial number. The sender unit serial number is displayed on the screen. The displayed serial number can be compared to the technical printout removing the need to use a reference cable during the calibration process. Further details can be obtained from Continental Automotive Trading Ltd tel: 0121 326 1234.
The Skillray sender unit reader part number L2225
This is a standalone device where the main body has a display screen and cable extending from it. The cable connects to the vehicle sender unit and when the “Read” button is pressed the sender units’ serial number is displayed on the screen. The serial number can be compared to the technical printout removing the use of a reference cable as part of the calibration procedure. Further details are available from Skillray Transport Services UK tel: 01925 880081.
Time Instruments UTP10 users can perform this test with cable D2+ or D3. Further details are available from Time Instruments tel: 01908 449200 email: sales@timtach.com.
6. Activation and calibration procedure
Recently a number of vehicles have been stopped by the DVSA and, following inspection, it has been noted that the digital tachograph has been incorrectly activated/ calibrated, as the activation and calibration details are all recorded on the technical data printout in the first calibration box. In accordance with Regulation Annex 1B, the unit should record the activation, the calibration after activation and then subsequent periodic calibrations.
To prevent this problem, the following procedure should be followed.
When a new digital tachograph is installed into a vehicle for the first time and the workshop card inserted and Pin No. entered, the unit automatically goes into activation mode, here the serial number of the sender is recorded by the VU.
On completion of the process the workshop card should be removed to allow the information to be stored. This will show as T (Date) (1) on printout.
The workshop card must then be re-inserted and Pin No. entered and the calibration of the tachograph is then completed. On completion of the calibration, remove the workshop card from the VU and produce a technical data printout. This will show as : T (Date) (2) on printout, T (Date) (3) on printout.
This is not a change. The approved tachograph training organisations have all confirmed that they teach the above process during their training courses. Failure to follow the correct procedure will result in disciplinary action being taken.
7. Unusual motion sensor
In the attached photograph you will note an unusual motion sensor. This type of sensor is used on many Mercedes Sprinter and VW Crafter series vans and earlier Nissan Navara rear axle fits.
These vehicles have EU type approval and have been manufactured like this for a number of years. It is not possible to do an independent sensor integrity check with this type of sensor. You can only inspect the cable/ harness to look for suspicious devices.
8. Electronic plaques
To clarify the previous Special Notice 3 2015, electronically generated plaques are required to be used for both analogue and digital calibrations/ checks (with the exception of analogue 2 year and minor repair plaques, where these can be done manually). Furthermore manual plaques can also be used in exceptional circumstances (ie short term printer break down) or by a non digital centre.
9. Calibrations using high speed rollers
ATCs are reminded that calibrations, using high speed rollers, must be completed using the required 50kmh procedure. High speed rollers cannot be used for low speed calibrations. Deviation from this procure means an invalid calibration has taken place.
10. M1 N1 adapters - extension to their use
The European Commission has just informed us that they are extending the use of the M1/ N1 adapters until the end of 2016.