Digital tachographs: adaptors for cars and small goods vehicles

The European Commission has published a regulation to allow the use of adaptors in small vehicles.

These vehicles, such as vans and pick-ups, can come into scope of EU drivers' hours when their use with a trailer takes the combination over 3.5 tonnes maximum permissible mass (mpm). However, their gearboxes are not compatible with the fitment of digital tachograph equipment as specified in the original legislation. This new amending legislation changes the technical specification of digital tachographs to permit adaptors to be fitted:

• in M1and N1 vehicles (passenger and goods vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes mpm) put into service for the first time between 1 May 2006 and 31 December 2013
• where it is not possible to install any other type of existing motion sensor which otherwise complies with the original specification, and
• where it is installed between the vehicle unit and where the speed/distance impulses are generated by integrated sensors or alternative interfaces

Installation plaques must contain details of the adaptor and these new-style plaques must be fitted at the time of installation. The legislation comes into force on 12 February, but applies from 23 July 2009.