Whilst there is no requirement to retrofit vehicles with a digital tachograph if they were registered before 1st May 2006, some operators may choose to do so. So, sooner or later, you will eventually be required to drive a digitally equipped vehicle.

If you haven't already done so, you will need to apply for a digital tachograph Driver Card, because without one you will be unable to operate a digital tachograph. You will also need training on how to operate a digital tachograph, and understand the requirements for record-keeping etc. Your Driver Hire office will be able to help you with this.

Responsibilities
It is the driver's responsibility to use the tachograph throughout each driving day to properly record driving time, periods of other work, periods of availability and breaks from driving/work. These records must be made on a chart of the correct type for the tachograph fitted in each vehicle to be used.

Drivers must carry with them during each driving day (and be able to show an enforcement officer if requested to do so) all completed records for the current working week plus those generated in the last 15 days. Completed tachograph records must be handed in to your local Driver Hire office or the client no later than 30 days from use.

From the 1st January 2008 you will be required to carry records that reflect the current day and the previous 28 days.

ANALOGUE TACHOGRAPHS
It is the drivers responsibility to ensure that the tachograph clock is set to the correct UK local time before starting the journey (remember that the tachograph is a 24 hour instrument whereas its clock has only a 12 hour display).

Tachograph charts are legal documents: Complete them fully, use the Mode switch properly, and handle them carefully.

The working week
The "fixed" Working Week is a 7-day calendar week extending from 00:00 hrs Monday to 24:00 hrs Sunday.

The working day and daily rest
Tachograph rules and hours limits are based on a 24-hour time period which starts when you start an assignment. So if you begin an assignment at 07.00 hours, the 24-hour time period starts at 07.00 hours.  The first part of the time period (of variable length, from start to finish duty) forms the working day while the second portion must be taken as daily rest and is defined by the rest hours limits.

	The standard limit on driving time in a working day is 9 hours. This standard driving time limit may be extended to 10 hours on any two days of the working week. No compensation is required.
	Driving time must not exceed 56 hours in any one week, and may be no more than 90 hours in total in a fortnight.
Driving Breaks	A 45 minute break must be taken after 4.5 hours continuous driving time. If you take a break at any point during the 4.5 hours of driving, the first period must be at least 15 minutes in duration and the second period must be at least 30 minutes. You can no longer split the 45 minutes into 3 breaks.
Daily Rest	During any 24-hour period a daily rest period must be taken: Minimum duration is 11 hours This can be reduced to 9 hours on no more than three occasions between two weekly rest periods (no compensation required) Daily rest can be split into two periods. In this case, the first must be at least 3 hours and the second at least 9 hours, so that the total daily rest period, if split, becomes 12 hours.
Weekly Rest	After six 24-hour periods since your last weekly rest period a new one must begin. The weekly rest period must be a minimum of 45 hours. This may be reduced to a minimum of 24 hours (whether at base or away from base) once in any two weeks. Any reduction must be compensated for in full, in a single block attached to a rest period of no less than 9 hours, before the end of the third fixed week following.
	Used to record 'periods of availability'
	Used to record 'other work'

Chart centre field entries