The European regulation 1360/2002, also called Annex 1B, determines the technical functionalities of Digital Tachographs.

Click here to read the Press release
Click here to read EU legislation 1360/2002

Digital tachographs are mandatory in new heavy vehicles as of May 1st 2006, as determined by the EU legislation 561/2006, published on March 15th 2006.

The legislation applies to :
- Transport vehicles heavier than 3,5 tonnes, 
- Vehicles for more than 9 passengers

All member states in the European Economic Community are concerned, plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
 
The EU legislation 561/2006 also modifies the regulation 3820/85 about working times in the transportation industry.
Click here to read the EC regulation 561/2006

Installation and calibration of the new tachograph devices will be carried out by authorized workshops. These workshops will be also in charge of calibration and periodical inspection of the digital tachograph.

New regulation about driving time and rest time

New 561/2006/CE rules on rest time for heavy vehicle drivers apply since 11 April 2007.

It is no longer possible to cumulate three 15 minute breaks.
  
Now, drivers have the following two options for their 45 minutes of mandatory rest, linked to a 4h30min period of driving:
-    45 minutes of uninterrupted rest after maximum 4h30min of driving
or
-    A first break of minimum 15 minutes and a second break of minimum 30 minutes during the 4h30min driving period.


Easy with Smartach®

When the duration of the driver’s rest periods do not satisfy the new CE rules, the SmarTach® “cumulated rest counter” blinks in the top right corner of the display.

This functionality is present on SmarTach® version 6.09 and above. Older versions can add the functionality by reprogramming with update rev.1, in a certified workshop.
 

Example 1
 

First a 15 minute break, and later a 36 minute break: the “cumulated rest counter” will sum up 51 minutes. The “cumulated rest counter” does not blink: the cumulated rest time exceeds 45 minutes and was taken according to the CE rules.


Example 2
 

Three breaks of 17, 19 and 15 minutes. The “cumulated rest counter” sums up 51 minutes but, be aware that the last break is not long enough according to the new regulation. The “cumulated rest counter” blinks till this latest pause is at least 30 minutes long.