Every year the industry and freight turnover of Russia are gradually growing. Accordingly, it is possible to observe a great development of the sphere of cargo transportation, especially automobile transportation. However, a prerequisite for the carriage of goods on trucks is the presence of a tachograph.

What is this device

The tachograph is a technical control device that performs the function of recording information about the route and speed of a certain vehicle. Also this device is able to control the mode of rest and work of the driver. All this information is recorded on the so-called "washer" (you can see it in the photo below), or on an electronic chip.

Varieties

Depending on how the device records information (in electronic or mechanical form), there are several types of tachographs:

1. Analog.
2. Digital. They gained great popularity in Europe in the 2000s and replaced analog instruments.

What is the difference between a digital and an analog tachograph?

The main difference between these devices lies in the way information is stored. Digital tachographs have a special smart card, where all data is recorded electronically. Analogs also record on circular record sheets. Such "washers" are disposable. Their driver must use for 24 hours, after which the tachograph cover is opened, and a new notebook is installed in its place.

Features of analog devices

Such devices include three feathers. The latter during the movement and parking cut out traces on a round chart ("washer"), the surface of which is covered with a layer of wax. The following parameters are displayed on this sheet:

1. Vehicle speed.
2. Kilometer, passed for a certain amount of time.
3. Driver mode.

The last parameter is divided into several subcategories. In the driver mode special symbols show the driving time, rest and other working hours. Among the above, one point should be noted. The analog tachograph displays the waiting or sleep time in the cab of the second driver. That is, knowing all the inscriptions on the "puck", you can determine to the exact minute how long, how far and how fast the truck moved along a certain route. By the way, the route itself is also indicated on the sheet (though manually). On the "puck" there are special fields where the driver records his daily working period, the place of departure and destination, the number of rests and other work done outside the freight vehicle.

Features of digital devices

A digital tachograph for a truck began to be installed by almost all European auto companies from 2003-2004. Such devices consist of two parts:

1. "Unit" of the vehicle.
2. Speedometer.

The tachograph works very simply. The unit of the truck receives a signal from the sender (this element is located in the checkpoint), which then goes to the speedometer, where the driver can see it. The time for the signal is set according to Greenwich Mean Time. The unit itself has built-in system memory, which can store data about all drivers and their driving period for 12 months. Also here are recorded all the errors that occurred in the device, the time of the last calibration, the marking of the controlling bodies, as well as any attempts to interfere with the system.

On which cars to install

The Law on Tachographs on Trucks stipulates that the following types of vehicles must be equipped with this device for the performance of domestic and international transportation:

1. Machines with a mass of more than 15 tons (including truck tractors).
2. Trucks with a weight of 3.5 to 15 tons.
3. Trucks carrying dangerous goods by ADR.

These three categories of vehicles fall under the law on tachographs. On trucks of the "GAZelle" type, the installation of these devices is not mandatory.

In addition, the installation of tachographs extends to buses, whose gross weight is more than 15 tons. In this case, it is not necessary to mount these devices on ordinary minibuses that carry out urban and suburban passenger transport.

Penalties

Since 2014, the Ministry of Transport has approved new fines, which apply to individuals and legal entities for the lack of a tachograph in the car. So, if the truck does not have a proper device, a driver (or company) is fined in the amount of 1 to 3 thousand rubles. The same amount can be issued for a defective or in time non-calibrated tachograph. Recall that every 3 years, this device is mandatory calibration in specialized services.

For violation of the regime of work and rest, the driver is fined 1 and 10 thousand rubles (for individuals and legal entities, respectively).

For how much you can install tachographs for trucks

The price for the installation of these devices varies from 10 to 20 thousand rubles. The replacement of the device by analog is about 15 thousand. Installation of tachographs on trucks includes a whole range of works. This includes:

• Installation.
• Activation of the block.
• Primary calibration.
• Sealing of the control device.

Note that the installation of tachographs is made exclusively by trained masters. It is impossible to make the installation and calibration independently. And any illegal interference in the system is punishable by a fine. Therefore, the installation of tachographs on trucks is done only in specialized workshops. They have all the necessary permissions to work with similar devices.

Many companies offer a "tachograph with installation" service. That is, you buy a firm from the company, and you immediately install it on the car. Such a service costs from 35 to 50 thousand rubles, depending on the type of device (digital or analog). The installation of tachographs on trucks does not take more than 3-4 hours. You can also order the installation of a GPRS modem in the device. Thus, you will always be aware of exactly where your truck is located at one time or another.

So, we have found out, whether installation of tachographs on lorries is necessary, and also have disassembled features of digital and analog devices.