How To Download Digital Tachograph Vehicle Units
Downloading data from a tacho head is a simple process, and must be done every 90 days maximum. Failing to download your vehicles' tachograph data will get you in a lot of trouble with the DVSA, so you want to make sure you’re doing it properly.
How To Download Digital Tachograph Vehicle Units Manually
To download digital tachograph vehicle units manually, you'll need:
- A tachograph download device, such as a Digidown (these are available on our Shop page if you don't already have one).
- Your organisation's tachograph Company Card.
- The vehicle you want to download the data for.
1) First, start the vehicle (for some vehicles, a download can be performed with the key in the On/Run position, while others require the engine running).
2) Insert the Company Card into slot 1 of the vehicle's tachograph unit. After a moment, the company's name will display on the tachograph.
3) Plug your download device into the tachograph unit.
4) Depending on which download device you have, you can now take a download using the buttons on the device. Many devices will allow you to choose between a full download of all data stored, or a partial download, constituting all data recorded since the previous download. Downloads can sometimes take around 5 minutes to complete.
How To Download Digital Tachograph Vehicle Units Remotely
Performing regular vehicle downloads can be a real chore, so many drivers opt to install a remote download device to their vehicles. These devices plug into the back of tachograph units and regularly transmit vehicle data to a third party, who sends the data on in a usable format to the vehicle's owner. This completely removes the need for manual vehicle downloads, and is often paired with a tachograph data analysis service.
Never manually download vehicle data again!
TachoMagic is a supplier of remote download devices! They come with a custom cable bundle to make installation as easy as possible - it's simply a matter of matching the coloured plugs to the sockets! Once installed, it'll automatically perform regular downloads, without you having to lift a finger. Click the button below to read more about them, or visit our Shop page for pricing.
We also offer tachograph analysis services, with a wide range of useful reports and decades of experience behind us! Have a look at our Digital Tachograph Analysis page for more details.
Further Reading
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