The tachograph card is the personal smart card that identifies the driver in the tachograph and records their activity (driving, work, availability, rest). It must be inserted at the start of each shift: without the card, a driver can’t operate a vehicle subject to the obligation.
The card types
There are four types of tachograph card: driver (the most common), company (to download and manage the fleet’s data), workshop (for calibration and maintenance) and control (for the authorities). Each enables different functions on the same device.
What it’s for in fleets
The driver card records personal activity; the company card lets the fleet manager perform the periodic data download for archiving and compliance checks. Managing issuance, renewal and downloads correctly is part of compliance — see the guide on hardware, driver card and data and the data-download playbook.
FAQ
Can you drive without a tachograph card?
No, on vehicles subject to the obligation: the driver card must be inserted. Driving without one, or using someone else’s, is a punishable offence.
How often should card data be downloaded?
Driver-card and vehicle-unit data must be downloaded at regular intervals set by the rules; the dedicated playbook explains the cadence and the practical steps.