Digital tacho symbols explained
Table of contents
Digital tachograph symbols — also known as digital tacho symbols — are icons on a tachograph that correspond to driver activities. There are four standarised icons used on all EU-approved digital tachographs: Driving, Other Work, Tachograph Availability and Rest. These symbols are essential for documenting compliance with driver hours regulations and therefore play an important role in road safety.
Understanding what each digital tachograph symbol means helps you keep accurate records and protect your business from non-compliance penalties. Read about the four main tachograph symbols, when each should be input and why they matter for drivers and fleet operators across Europe.
What are digital tacho symbols?
Digital tacho symbols (digital tachograph symbols) are the data points through which a driver’s activities are recorded to ensure compliance with driver’s hours rules. Digital tacho symbols account for preconfigured modes that may measure different things depending on the needs of the user. Most often, drive mode
is the default setting activated when the car is in motion. It logs drive times and helps to effortlessly determine how long a driver has been working.
What’s the difference between digital and analogue tachographs?
Analogue tachographs work using paper discs and a stylus that draws lines on the chart to reflect speed and activity. The driver must note down name, date, start location and vehicle registration on the disc. When changing activity, the driver must manually move the mode switch to point at the correct symbol.
Digital tachographs, on the other hand, log activities automatically by storing data on a driver card and the vehicle unit. Mode switching is done by selecting symbols displayed on the screen. By removing paperwork and offering downloadable data logs, digital tachographs greatly facilitate compliance and reporting processes.
Do tachograph symbols vary between countries or systems?
In the EU, tachograph symbols are the same across each country. This standardisation is enforced by Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, although interface and layout may vary slightly between manufacturers or older systems. Non-EU countries may use different symbols and logging rules or methods.
Do smart tachographs use the same symbols?
Yes. Smart tachographs (Version 1 and Version 2) use the four standard tachograph pictograms for driving, rest, availability and other work. What makes them smart
is the integration of GNSS (satellite positioning), wireless data transfer and remote enforcement capabilities. While authorities used to inspect paper charts manually, compliance can now be verified without stopping a vehicle. They also automatically record border crossings and load/unload events, reducing manual updates required on the driver’s part.
How can drivers quickly understand tachograph readings?
It is recommended that drivers memorise the meaning of each symbol: Driving, Other Work, Availability and Rest. Checking the display regularly to ensure the mode selected reflects the current activity helps avoid mistakes and regulation violations.
Digital tachograph symbols: names and usage
| Symbol | Name | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Steering wheel | Driving | Vehicle is moving or driver is behind the wheel with the engine running, even if stationary. |
| Two crossed tools | Other Work | During any non-driving work activity: loading or unloading, paperwork, training or maintenance. |
| Square with diagonal line | Tachograph Available | During waiting periods, standby time, ferry crossings, border queues or other mandated waiting times. |
| Bed | Break/Rest | During required break times, daily/weekly rest periods and approved leave (annual or sickness). |
Why are digital tacho symbols important?
In addition to maintaining good business practices, digital tacho symbols and detectors also help to keep you in compliance with local laws. In the EU, work-hour regulations for drivers can be difficult to follow.
Digital tacho symbols log these hours automatically, making it very straightforward to determine how you are complying with regulations. In addition to logging drive hours, a digital tachograph can also monitor periods of rest, as well as non-driving related work, giving you a robust range of well-documented analytics.
According to law, drivers must take a break of at least forty-five minutes for every four-and-a-half hours of driving that they do. They must also rest for at least eleven hours out of every 24-hour period. Failure to comply with work-hour related laws can result in stiff fines and other punishments (including jail time in extreme cases). These problems can be easily avoided by properly logging time through digital tacho symbols.
What happens if I select the wrong tachograph symbol?
Inputting the wrong symbol can invalidate driving and rest time records. Failing to provide accurate accounts of driving activity can lead to legal violations and fines. Always double-check your selected mode before driving, working or taking a break.
Manual entry on digital tachographs
When working away from a vehicle or before inserting the driver card, tachographs don’t automatically record driver activity. To keep records accurate, a manual entry is required. Correctly reporting work, rest and availability periods is necessary to comply with the EU driver’s hours regulations and prevent gaps in the activity log. By using Webfleet Tachograph Manager, you can easily upload, archive and analyse these records across your fleet for full activity visibility.
How do I log a manual entry?
Logging a manual entry is simple: insert the driver card into the tachograph, select manual entry
on the menu and enter any outstanding activities. Confirm the data before setting off to ensure compliance.
How can drivers learn more about tachograph symbols?
Drivers can check their tachograph user manual, EU mobility package guidelines or training materials from their fleet operator. There are also various symbol guides, videos and charts available from manufacturers and fleet management platforms to reinforce symbol recognition and usage.
Webfleet and digital tacho symbols
At Webfleet, we take digital tacho symbols seriously. We know why it is important for your business to properly log your worker analytics and our digital tachograph solutions are designed to help you do it effectively.
Get in touch with one of our experts today for estimates and consultations on solutions that can help make your life easier.
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