The approved tachograph centre manual states “amend or confirm the required parameters and update the VU, ensuring that all details are correct and entered in the correct format, eg vehicle registration number is entered with no spaces or additional characters.
Annexe 1B of the tachograph regulation, does not list space as a character to be used. Therefore, it could be inferred that if the character in question is not listed in these sets then the character is not accepted.
TAKING A BREAK
One of our drivers selected Period of Availability (PoA) on their tachograph instead of break. He then received an infringement for insufficient break. The driver claimed that it was acceptable as the vehicle had wiped it clean. Is the driver right?
In the United Kingdom, Period of Availability (PoA) is not considered a break; however there is nothing stopping a driver taking a break during this available time. This is a different interpretation to much of Europe and, as such, digital tachographs view PoA as a break in their internal software. Therefore, if a driver was to take 45 minutes PoA in a digital vehicle, this would show as “wiping the slate clean” for the 4.5 hours driving period being displayed to the driver. However, under the UK interpretation, this would not be the case and in those circumstances, if using PoA, the driver must be very careful to calculate their own 4.5 hours driving periods and break requirements and select the correct mode on the tachograph.
