Your Guide to Vehicle Unit and Driver Card Downloads

If you're a transport operator, you need to be familiar with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency's (DVSA) rules on tachograph data. This is a legal requirement, and it should form an essential part of your organisation's compliance procedures. Having the right download device helps you record and store your tachograph data. Missing a download deadline can put operators at risk of enforcement action and could affect your Operator Licence, so choosing a device that suits your workplace matters just as much as meeting the legal requirements themselves.

DigiVU and digifobpro are both designed to support tachograph compliance, but they're built for different jobs. DigiVU is a dedicated vehicle unit download key, while digifobpro downloads both vehicle unit and driver card data and lets you view driver activity on its full-colour screen.

We've put together a guide to what each device does, so you can choose the right solution for your fleet.

What is a tachograph download?

A tachograph is a digital record of a driver's hours, breaks, rest periods and vehicle activity. The data is stored in two places: the driver's digital tachograph card, and the vehicle unit installed in the vehicle. Operators must download and securely retain data from both sources to demonstrate compliance and manage driver records.

According to the DVSA, operators are required to download:

• Driver card data within every 28 days.
• Vehicle unit data within every 90 days.

These are the maximum legal intervals. Many operators download more frequently, both to reduce the risk of missing a deadline and to keep records current for day-to-day fleet management.

What is DigiVU?

DigiVU is a handheld vehicle unit download key that lets operators download data from a vehicle's tachograph quickly and securely, helping to keep scheduled vehicle unit downloads on track. Its features include intelligent file management and automatic recovery of partial downloads caused by power interruptions. Once connected to a computer, downloads upload and archive automatically for use with your analysis software.

What is digifobpro?

Novadata's digifobpro is a handheld device that downloads both vehicle unit and driver card data. Its full-colour backlit display gives instant access to driver card information, including card activity, rest periods, and weekly and shift summaries, alongside vehicle unit data such as overspeeds, power interruptions and calibration history. Because it covers both download types in one device, digifobpro suits fleets that want to consolidate their download kit. Note that it doesn't include analysis software, so you'll need to pair it with your own analysis package.

Which device is best for your fleet?

The right choice depends on how your downloads are currently split. If you want one device that covers both driver card and vehicle unit downloads, with on-screen analysis for quick checks in the cab or yard, digifobpro does both jobs. If drivers already download their own cards a different way and you mainly need to cover vehicle unit downloads, DigiVU is the simpler, lower-cost option. Some fleets still run both: DigiVU for vehicle unit downloads and a separate card reader for daily driver checks, splitting the workload between drivers and the transport office.

FAQs

What happens if a download is missed?

Missing a required download could result in failed compliance with DVSA inspections or roadside enforcement. Keeping the driver card and vehicle unit data up to date can protect your Operator Licence and ensure your records are accurate when needed.

Can DigiVU and digifobpro be used together?

They can, though because digifobpro already downloads both driver card and vehicle unit data, many fleets that use it don't need DigiVU as well. Operators who prefer to split the workload, for example letting drivers download their own cards while the transport office handles vehicle units, sometimes run both devices side by side.

What are the penalties for non-compliance?

Failing to download and retain tachograph data within the required timeframe can result in enforcement action by the DVSA. Roadside and remote checks can lead to fixed penalties of £50 to £300 per offence, and more serious breaches prosecuted through the courts can result in fines of up to £5,000. Persistent non-compliance can also put your Operator Licence at risk. Robust download processes help you avoid all of this.

Find the right solution for your fleet

Whatever your current setup, Novadata can help you choose the right tachograph download solution for your fleet. Contact us today for more information and to learn more about the products and services we provide.