A tachograph that's out of calibration — or overdue for inspection — puts both your drivers and your operator licence at risk. Here's a quick guide to when calibration is needed and what happens when your vehicle comes in.
How often does a tachograph need calibrating?
Every tachograph must have a periodic inspection at least every two years. During the inspection the tachograph is checked, calibrated and a new calibration plaque is fitted to the vehicle.
When else is calibration needed?
An inspection and calibration is also required whenever something changes that could affect the accuracy of the recordings, including:
- after any repair to the tachograph or its sensor and wiring;
- after a change of tyre size, or a change to the axle ratio or other characteristics of the vehicle;
- when the recording equipment's UTC time is out by more than 20 minutes;
- when the vehicle registration number changes.
Analogue, digital and smart tachographs
Older vehicles may still have analogue tachographs that record onto paper charts. Most have digital tachographs that record to the vehicle unit and driver cards. The latest generation, the smart tachograph, also records the vehicle's location automatically using satellite positioning and can be checked remotely by enforcement officers.
Vehicles used on international journeys in Europe must now be fitted with the latest version of the smart tachograph. If your vehicles cross the Channel, check that yours are up to date.
What happens at the inspection?
We check the installation and seals, test the recording accuracy against a known distance and speed, adjust the calibration where necessary and fit a new calibration plaque. Any faults found can be repaired on site.
Book your calibration
CFM is a DVSA-approved tachograph centre (originally VOSA approved) for analogue, digital and smart tachographs, open Monday to Saturday. To save a trip, you can book your calibration alongside a safety inspection, service or annual test.
