Sept/Oct 2004

The UK Government has scotched reports that digital tachographs might be coming into use here in the next few months. "The European Commission are still developing the security system for digital tachographs," says the Department for Transport, adding that the instruments cannot be introduced until this system is ready.

Mandatory fitment in new vehicles has already been postponed in the UK until August 2005. In theory that leaves open the possibility of voluntary use earlier, but this assumes standards have actually been ratified.

Meanwhile, however, other countries are gearing up for introduction. The Netherlands and Luxembourg governments, for instance, have just announced that they have appointed Dutch-based smartcard specialist Axalto to provide its technology for the development of the driver smartcards at the heart of the concept. The company was selected by competitive tender.

Axalto says it is now preparing "with great confidence" to deliver the first tachograph cards to users, initiating deliveries of up to 700,000 cards "over the coming years".