What to Do If Your Tachograph Fails – Legal Requirements
A faulty tachograph isn’t just an inconvenience, it’s a serious legal and safety issue. Driving without a working tachograph (or failing to record driving time correctly) can result in substantial fines, vehicle prohibitions, fixed penalty notices, and even points on a driver’s licence or operator action against the transport manager.
At Burton UK Commercials LTD, we regularly assist drivers and operators who find themselves in this situation. Below is a clear, practical guide based on current UK regulations (as of 2026, under GB domestic rules and retained EU tachograph legislation) to help you stay compliant and get back on the road safely and legally.
Immediate Steps When Your Tachograph Fails
Stop driving if it’s unsafe If the failure creates an immediate safety risk (e.g., loss of speed/distance recording while heavily loaded on a busy motorway), pull over in a safe location as soon as possible.
Continue recording manually You must still record your driving time, breaks and other duties. Use one of these methods:
Print a tachograph chart (if the unit still prints) and annotate it manually with start/finish times, location, activity, etc.
If no printout is possible, complete a manual written record on a tachograph infringement form or plain paper (include driver name, vehicle reg, date, times, activity codes, odometer readings at start/end). Keep these records with you and hand them to your operator at the end of the shift.
Notify your operator as soon as practicable UK law requires the driver to inform the transport manager/operator within 24 hours of becoming aware of the fault. Do this in writing (email or text with timestamp) so there is a clear audit trail.
Do not drive without recording Continuing without any form of recording (manual or otherwise) is illegal and will almost certainly result in enforcement action if stopped.
Legal Rules – What the Law Actually Requires
Under GB domestic tachograph rules and retained EU Regulation 561/2006 & 165/2014:
Driver responsibility You must record all driving time, other work, breaks and availability using the tachograph or manual means if it fails. You cannot simply “carry on” without records.
Operator responsibility The operator must repair or replace the tachograph “as soon as possible” and in any case within a reasonable period (DVSA enforcement typically expects action within days, not weeks). Driving is not permitted without a functioning tachograph unless:
The journey is to a repair facility (shortest practical route), or
It is a very short-term exemption (rarely granted and usually requires prior DVSA approval).
Calibration & sealing Any repair or replacement must be carried out by an approved tachograph centre. The unit must be recalibrated and sealed within the required timeframe (usually 2 years for periodic inspection, but immediately after repair).
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failing to record driving time or keep proper records can lead to:
Driver — Fixed penalty notice (£100–£200 on the spot), court summons with fines up to £2,500, 3–6 points on licence in serious cases.
Operator — Fines up to £5,000+, prohibitions on the vehicle, potential curtailment or revocation of operator’s licence, traffic commissioner public inquiry.
Both — DVSA can issue a roadside prohibition until the tachograph is repaired and records are compliant.
How Burton UK Commercials LTD Can Help
We specialise in tachograph issues:
Mobile fault diagnosis and repair, we come to your depot or roadside (subject to safety).
Full tachograph installation, calibration and sealing at approved centres.
Advice on manual record completion and compliance during downtime.
Fast turnaround to minimise lost revenue.
Tachograph issue? Call us now for fast diagnosis and repair. Our team is available 24/7.
Phone: 07837 327 470 Or send a quick message via our Contact page — include vehicle reg, location and fault description if possible.
Don’t risk a fine or prohibition, get it fixed properly and stay legal. Burton UK Commercials LTD has you covered.
