If a fleet includes HGVs, then they’ll be equipped with tachographs. These devices aren’t optional; UK law requires them to be used whenever an HGV is on the road. Yet, knowing how to interpret and manage the data they produce is just as vital to safe and efficient fleet operations as having them installed.
This guide introduces the basics of tachographs, going over what they are, while also looking at why they play such an important role in transportation and logistics.
A tachograph is a device fitted to commercial fleet vehicles, such as HGVs, that tracks certain details of a journey, including speed, distance travelled, time spent driving, and mandatory rest breaks. In providing this information, tachographs can directly reduce driver fatigue, one of the leading contributors to road incidents.
Tachographs used to be analogue, relying on paper discs to collect and display data. However, since 1 May 2006, all newly registered commercial vehicles must be fitted with a digital tachograph. These systems use driver cards and electronic storage to deliver more accurate records and make handling large volumes of data easy.
Tachographs are central to enforcing drivers’ hours rules, which are a part of UK law and retained EU legislation. These rules limit how long an HGV driver can work for before needing to take a compulsory rest break. By capturing records of driving time and rest periods, tachographs support safer working conditions and lower the risks linked to driver fatigue.
That said, these rules concern more than fleet driver safety alone. This is because non-compliance can result in significant penalties, ranging from fines and impounded vehicles to reputational damage and even the suspension of licences. In this context, tachograph records act as verifiable proof of compliance, protecting fleets from legal, financial, and operational consequences.
It should be noted that responsibility for tachograph compliance doesn’t just rest on HGV drivers, fleet managers also have a duty to make sure rules are followed. To help with preparations for an audit, here’s a checklist covering both roles:
One of the biggest challenges for compliance officers is dealing with the sheer volume of tachograph information produced by an HGV fleet. Effective data management is therefore integral to not only meet legal obligations, but also to streamline operations. Thankfully, modern technology provides functionality that makes this task more straightforward:
At MICHELIN Connected Fleet, we offer more than simple tachograph data management. By integrating such information with our telematics platform, managers get access to insights on vehicle health, fuel consumption, route efficiency, and driver performance. In this way, our fleet management solutions enable you to gain cost control opportunities while improving safety.
Not to mention, from 1 July 2026, tachograph regulations will extend to cover additional categories of vehicles beyond HGVs. Though this may sound like added complexity, the right technology and practices can transform it into an opportunity for greater consistency, efficiency, and optimisation across fleet operations.
If you’re interested in simplifying compliance and unlocking the full potential of your fleet, then be sure to make an enquiry into our services today.