The EU Mobility Package brings many significant changes for transport companies. One of the most important is the replacement of tachographs with second-generation smart tachographs called G2V2.
Our consultants receive many questions.
Do control services have more powerful (amplified) DSRC antennas than those equipped with tachograph services?
Yes. Inspection services operate a completely different system. They are often on the move during inspections and sometimes have to read data from cars within a second. An antenna for a service costs 4-5 times more than for a tachograph service.
Can the VDO update cable also be used to update maps in the tachograph?
Yes. Updating the maps requires updating the tachograph's software. For such an update, this cable will be of one type. One type of cable can update two things. Please note, however, that VDO tachographs only communicate with the original version.
How are new maps uploaded? Since when? Does the workshop take responsibility for this?
The maps are provided by the European Union. When a new map with updated data is released, we receive a message from the European Commission stating that an upgrade to the map version is required for the next calibration. What does a map update look like? Since we unfortunately don't upload the maps to the tachograph ourselves, we have to update its entire software. Only tachograph services can perform such an update.
Can the tachograph be spilled/damaged during the update?
Yes, it is possible. This is because the update normally uses an internet connection. If we lose this connection, the update drops to 0%. We'll have to reconnect and start the process again. If the power supply is interrupted during the tachograph update, the tachograph will unfortunately be damaged and unusable.
Is there a situation in which there will be no tachographs?
Tachograph replacement, i.e., the so-called retrofitting, applies to the entire European Union. We predict that interest in tachographs will increase in the second half of the year. It is up to tachograph manufacturers to decide whether it will be sufficient. Although they can predict this, as it is based on publicly available statistics, the problem may not lie in the availability of tachographs, but rather in their delivery to the services and replacement dates. We fear that demand will be so high by the end of the year that tachograph services will not have the necessary processing capacity.
Will the G2 V2 designation also be added to the workshop card? Will it only appear on driver cards?
The new generation cards are only marked with G2.
Are companies registered outside the EU also required to install the latest generation of tachographs in order to travel within the EU?
Answering this question is difficult, as these companies are bound by the AETR Agreement (or the European Agreement on the Work of Vehicle Crews in International Road Transport). The issue is currently being analyzed by relevant bodies, such as CORTE. We expect an official announcement from the authorities once the final interpretation of the regulations has been determined.
Why is the tachograph card version not always included in the report after calibration? For example, I calibrate two tachographs, perform the same steps, and one report lists the card version, but the other doesn't. We have a VDO V1 tablet.
This may be due to too many cookies, which can cause problems on your device. The best way to clear them is to reset your device to factory settings, and everything should work again. If such situations occur, please contact customer support.
Do I need to use a reader to read the latest driver cards after the update?
Yes, absolutely. If we use the latest tachographs or cards, they have different cryptographic keys. To ensure all download certificates match, it's best to update the reader you use to process the G2V2 meaning.
Which functionalities are ultimately supported via Bluetooth? Please list all of them. I can't find any attachments online that describe this (the tachograph documentation only contains references to other documents).
This is a very broad topic. It all depends on how a specific application is developed. We'll learn everything when the developers release the application, and we'll know exactly which features Bluetooth supports.
The main purpose of the ITS system, including Bluetooth communication, is to facilitate the driver's work. We believe the application helps with checking the driver's working hours, marking loading/unloading operations, etc.
After replacing the tachograph with a 4.1, error 96 "GNSS anomaly" appears. What could be the cause?
We've encountered such cases, but we can't fully agree that it's a problem with the 4.1 tachograph. This type of error occurred most frequently with SE5000 tachographs, i.e., Stoneridges. The GNSS system interference error primarily arises from interference with the system from other devices, such as CB radios.
What is the minimum amount required for the tachograph to read the position correctly?
At least 4 satellites. Please keep in mind that this only occurs indoors. When the vehicle is moving outside on the road, the satellite signal is so strong that the number of satellites increases.
Why does error 96 appear on my VDO tachograph? Iveco Eurocargo.
We recommend connecting an external GNSS antenna to the back of the blue socket and positioning it away from other devices that could interfere with the signal. Of course, you should then change the settings on the tachograph – via an external GNSS antenna.
