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Digital tachograph

A digital tachograph is the mandatory recording device in commercial vehicles that electronically logs driving time, breaks, rest periods and vehicle activity. Its current generation – the G2V2 smart tachograph (second generation, version 2) – adds satellite positioning and remote enforcement functions introduced under the EU Mobility Package.

What does a G2V2 smart tachograph record automatically?

G2V2 units record the exact location and time of every EU member-state border crossing automatically, using GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). This removes the earlier requirement for drivers to stop and enter country codes manually. Drivers can additionally log the start and end times of loading and unloading operations together with their geographic location. The entry itself is not strictly mandatory, but a complete activity record supports compliance and operational transparency.

How much data does a G2V2 tachograph store?

Both the G2V2 vehicle unit and the new-generation driver cards store 56 days of driver activity data, double the previous 28 days. The longer record widens what enforcement bodies can review historically, so it raises the bar for internal data management: regular, timely downloads and proactive analysis of the data before discrepancies escalate into penalties.

How do roadside checks work with a G2V2 tachograph?

Enforcement officers read a defined data set remotely over DSRC (Dedicated Short-Range Communication), expanded in G2V2 from 19 to 25 parameters. This covers real-time monitoring of continuous driving time, daily, weekly and two-weekly driving periods, and GNSS position. That data set enables preliminary checks without physically stopping the vehicle. G2V2 units also detect manipulation attempts such as magnets or external switches, detect motion-sensor faults, and use authenticated GNSS signals (OSNMA) to protect data integrity.

Is a G2V2 tachograph compatible with existing telematics hardware?

G2V2 introduces a mandatory Bluetooth interface for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), which connects the tachograph to fleet management systems, mobile applications and on-board computers. Devices built for earlier tachograph generations often do not work with G2V2 units, so replacing the tachograph without upgrading the connected hardware can break remote .ddd file downloads and live vehicle tracking. In frameLOGIC, remote tachograph download handles the data pull for G2V2 fleets. An integrated software-update capability lets G2V2 units adapt to future regulatory changes.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a digital and a smart tachograph?

Every smart tachograph is a digital tachograph; the “smart” designation refers to the newer generations with GNSS positioning, DSRC remote reading and the ITS Bluetooth interface. G2V2 is the second version of the second (smart) generation.

How long does a G2V2 tachograph store driver data?

The G2V2 vehicle unit and new-generation driver cards store 56 days of driver activity data, up from 28 days in earlier versions. This extends the historical record available to enforcement authorities during checks.

Can authorities read a tachograph without stopping the vehicle?

Yes. Over DSRC, enforcement services remotely read 25 data parameters from a G2V2 unit, including continuous driving time, daily, weekly and two-weekly driving periods, and GNSS position. This serves as a preliminary check to decide which vehicles to pull over.

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