Approved tachograph centre special notice 03-15
Published 19 February 2016
Applies to England, Scotland and Wales
© Crown copyright 2016
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/tachograph-special-notice-03-15/tachograph-centre-special-notice-03-15
Contents of special notice
| Item | Page | Subject | Relevant to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | Changes to facilities at approved tachograph centre authorisations | DM, NT |
| 2 | 2 | 3rd party attachments to the back of tachographs | DM, NT |
| 3 | 3 | Designated Manager training | DM, NT |
| 4 | 3 | Desk based assessments | DM, NT |
| 5 | 3 | Electronic plaques | DM, NT |
| 6 | 3 | Desk based assessment disciplinary action | - |
Designated Managers (DMs) must read and understand the content of this Special notice (SN) and sign to that effect.
DMs must also make sure all Nominated Technicians (NTs) are issued with this special Notice, read and understand its contents and sign to confirm they’ve read and understood its contents.
DMs are required to keep the signed SN in the rear of the approved tachograph centre (ATC) manual which should always be available for reference.
All NTs must sign to confirm that they’ve read and understood the contents of this special notice.
These special notices may be requested by DVSA staff for inspection during routine visits.
1. Changes to facilities at ATC authorisations
Following an ongoing review of the ATC manual it has been agreed, with immediate effect, to amend the following requirements for ATC:
1.1 Safes
For documents and tachograph sealing pliers that need to be kept securely at the site overnight, a safe with a cash rating of £10,000 conforming to Euro Grade 1 standard is now only required. The safe must be security bolted to a brick/ exterior wall or floor. The requirement for an under floor safe has been removed for new tachograph centre applications.
Existing centres with under floor safes and those currently undergoing centre approval (who’ve already installed/ purchased an under floor safe) don’t require changing to this new requirement. The slam box is still required for daily use.
1.2 Secure workshop area
As long as the workshop area is able to withstand a ‘casual attack’ from unauthorised personnel then this is acceptable. A wooden structure is acceptable providing that access is restricted by locks on the door as previously required. The structure must be in good repair but there’s no longer a need for a bricks and mortar type structure.
1.3 Seals
Only pre-stamped seals need to be retained in the safe overnight. Any general stocks of seals may be retained securely outside of the safe.
2. 3rd Party attachments to the back of tachographs
Aftermarket Telematics systems (often used for monitoring fuel efficiency) are commonly installed in modern vehicles and frequently utilise tachograph data in order to evaluate driving style and vehicle utilisation.
Due to the nature of fitment of these type of devices, may result in a tachograph system being seen as having been manipulated or will raise suspicion of manipulation.
Currently from a legal perspective, 3rd party systems can wire into the tachograph socket arrangement as long as it doesn’t interfere with the normal operation of the tachograph. (eg DTCO info output [D8] and CAN 2 connections)
Nominated Technicians (NT) need to be aware when inspecting installations that there are genuine aftermarket products which have been legally fitted and should be treated with caution and make sure that they are genuine aftermarket products which have been legally installed.
3. Designated Manager training
The Designated Manager (DM) is the named point of contact for DVSA of the approved tachograph centre, who’s designated by the holder of the approval to be responsible for the operations of the Centre.
If you, as DM, are unsure of your roles and responsibilities we strongly suggest that you seek training from one of the approved training providers. This will help to make sure your ATC operates as required within the UK Tachograph Scheme.
4. Desk based assessments
SN 01 2015 outlined the new process for ATC monitoring that was implemented to meet the requirements of new EU Regulation 165/2014. As part of the new process, ATC’s are subject to a formal desk based assessment which they must complete. Failure to respond to any such request will result in disciplinary action being taken against the centre.
5. Electronic plaques
ATC’s are reminded that only electronically generated plaques can be used for both analogue and digital calibrations/ checks. Manual plaques can only be used in exceptional circumstances (ie short term printer break down) or by a non digital centre.
6. Desk based assessment (DBA) disciplinary action (Item 1 of SN 01 2015 Refers)
Unfortunately a significant number of ATCs have failed to respond to the DBAs that have recently been sent to them. This is despite reminders to complete the DBA having also been sent. As a result of this failure to complete the DBA, formal disciplinary action against these centres is now being instigated.
If you receive a request to complete a DBA do not ignore it. Failure to comply with the request could ultimately result in your authorisation as an ATC being removed.