FTA warns of tachograph confusion

Changes to the default settings of some digital tachographs could lead to drivers inadvertently breaking the law, according to the Freight Transport Association (FTA). It says several truck makers, including Mercedes and MAN, are now providing digital tachographs which have a default setting of rest/break when the ignition is switched off. Previously, most tachographs deferred automatically to the "other work" setting in these circumstances.

Sally Thornley, the FTA's head of compliance information services, says: "Up to now, one of the key benefits of the digital system was that it automatically defaulted to the 'other work' setting. We are not clear why this has changed. You might have all of the time that the engine is switched off as rest time, but I doubt it."

The FTA says drivers need to be reminded to change the mode setting if they are continuing to work after the engine is switched off, otherwise they will be incorrectly recording a rest break, which is against the rules. It is also possible for the tachograph default setting to be re-programmed, a process which must be carried out by an authorised workshop.

Thornley adds that anyone buying a new truck should probably specify a tachograph with a 'no change' default setting when the engine is switched off.