Remote tachograph data download is a modern technology that enables a fully automated process of downloading, processing and analyzing data from the digital tachograph and the memory cards of drivers. These advanced solutions allow transport companies to improve the efficiency of their operations, reduce costs and better comply with legal regulations. Here we explain in detail all the benefits and features of remote tachograph data download, including insight into driver working hours and integration with software platforms for data analysis.
A practical guide to the driver card itself, from issuance to replacement, can be found in the article How long does a driver card take.
How does remote tachograph data download work?
Remote tachograph data download lets you automatically download and store data from the tachograph, without needing to be physically present at the vehicle. Data is downloaded at predefined time intervals, and the process can be adjusted to your needs. By law, data must be downloaded at least every 28 days, so daily downloads are not necessary. The client sets the interval at which automatic remote download runs, most often between 15 and 25 days. This system makes life easier for both managers and drivers, since it eliminates the need for manual data download, saving time and reducing the chance of errors.
All downloaded data is automatically archived and stored in legally prescribed formats, which further simplifies recordkeeping and compliance with the rules. You can also easily track the status of data downloads and receive notifications by email once data has been successfully downloaded. In addition, data can be automatically forwarded to the email addresses of your choice after download.
Benefits of remote data download
Remote data download offers many benefits, including:
- Efficiency - automating the process reduces the need for physical presence during data download, resulting in greater work efficiency.
- Fewer errors - data is downloaded automatically and analyzed precisely, minimizing the risk of human error.
- Legal compliance - regular data download and analysis help you comply with legal regulations and reduce the risk of penalties.
- Real-time monitoring - information about driving time and driver rest periods is available at all times, enabling better transport planning and organization.
Integration with data analysis software solutions
Remote tachograph data download allows simple integration with other software solutions via an API (Application Programming Interface) service. This feature allows companies to connect the system with their existing data analysis solutions, such as payroll systems, working-time tracking or route planning.
In addition to remote download, we also offer data analysis in line with all Serbian and European regulations for professional drivers
How often must tachograph and driver card data be downloaded?
Proper and regular download of data from the tachograph and driver cards is a legal obligation for all carriers. Under Article 19 of the Rulebook on the Use of Tachographs, data must be downloaded within the following time intervals:
- At least once every 90 days - download of data from the digital tachograph.
- At least once every 28 days - download of data from the driver card.
This rule ensures that carriers regularly archive data and avoid penalties for failing to comply with legal regulations.
When downloading data, the carrier is obliged to ensure it is kept securely, so as to prevent loss or damage of the information.
Reducing risk and increasing safety
One of the most important aspects of remote tachograph data download is reducing risk and increasing safety in the transport process. Regular data download enables timely analysis of driver working hours and ensures compliance with legal limits on rest periods and working hours. This reduces the risk of violations, which can lead to high fines or loss of a transport license.
The system also allows managers to react promptly in the event of non-compliance with legal provisions, further increasing the safety of drivers and of the company itself.
Bring automation into your business and cut costs with remote tachograph data download. Gain complete control over driver working hours, reduce the risk of fines and improve the efficiency of your transport business
Contact us by email at podrska@pratime.rs or call us at 065 9007380 and find out more about how our solutions can improve your business.
Manual versus remote download
The obligation is the same in both cases - data must be downloaded and saved within the deadline. The difference is how much it costs you in time and how much it depends on someone remembering to do it.
What manual download looks like
The vehicle and the driver must be physically available. Someone with the appropriate card connects the device, downloads the data from the vehicle unit and from the driver card, and then transfers it to the archive. For a fleet that works in the field or in international transport, this means the download is postponed until the vehicle returns to base.
What remote download looks like
The device in the vehicle downloads the data itself and sends it to the server at the interval you set. There is no trip to the base, no calendar reminder, and no situation where the deadline is missed because the vehicle was on the road. You receive a notification for every successful download, and files can also be forwarded automatically by email.
What you gain in the long run
When the download is automatic, the archive is always complete. This means that an inspection finds no gaps, and working-time data can be reliably used for trip orders and payroll. For long-term storage, Taho Hotel is used.
What is downloaded and within what deadline
- Driver card - at least every 28 days. In practice the interval is set to 15 to 25 days to keep a safety margin.
- Vehicle unit - downloaded less often, but also within the prescribed deadline.
- Format and archiving - data is stored in legally prescribed formats, ready for inspection.
- Notifications - the status of every download is visible in the system, with an email notification.
The deadline is not a formality: tachograph memory is overwritten over time, so data that is not downloaded in time can be permanently lost. With automatic download, that risk is removed from the day-to-day organization of the business.
A central tachograph overview for the whole fleet
Beyond the download itself, the app has a central tachograph overview for the entire fleet. For each vehicle, one screen shows the download status, driver card data, the tachograph calibration deadline and whether the tachograph is properly locked with the carrier's company card. An unlocked tachograph and a missed calibration deadline are oversights that are otherwise discovered only during an inspection; here they are visible in advance.
Current tachograph data is available live as well: each driver's current and remaining driving and rest time, on a computer and in the mobile app. A dispatcher therefore knows how much longer a driver may drive before assigning the next trip. Driver working-time records are kept automatically from the same data and can be sent by email periodically, with no manual compiling.
A real example: how the carrier KOLOS DOO from Bačka Topola, with a fleet of over 20 trucks, moved from manual to automatic downloads, with an estimated 10 to 15 hours of administration saved each month, is described in the case study.
Frequently asked questions about remote download
Does the driver need to do anything?
No. The download happens in the background while the vehicle does its job. The driver does not need to come to base, hand over the card, or start any action.
What if the vehicle is out of range at the time of download?
The download is repeated once the connection is restored. That is why the interval is set with a safety margin relative to the legal deadline, so that an occasional loss of signal does not cause the deadline to be missed.
Can the data be sent to our accounting department?
Yes. Downloaded files can be automatically forwarded to defined email addresses, and via API integration the data can be linked to payroll software, working-time records or route planning.
Does download work while the vehicle is abroad?
Yes. The system works throughout Europe, so data is downloaded regardless of where the vehicle is located. For international transport this is the biggest advantage, since vehicles often do not return to base for weeks.
Is special equipment required?
A device connected to the digital tachograph in the vehicle is required, along with the appropriate company card for data access. What exactly is needed depends on the type of tachograph in your vehicles, so the equipment is chosen after reviewing your fleet.
How much does remote download cost?
It is a module added to the base GPS tracking plan, priced from 8 € per vehicle per month. You can test the system free for 15 days - see the pricing details or call us for a quote based on your number of vehicles.
How can I check the download status for the whole fleet?
In a central tachograph overview of the entire fleet, in one place, you can see the download status for each vehicle, driver card data, calibration deadlines and whether each tachograph is properly locked with the company card.
Can I see a driver's remaining driving and rest time live?
Yes. Current tachograph data, such as the current and remaining driving and rest time, is available on a computer and in the mobile app, so a dispatcher knows how much longer a driver may drive before calling them.
Can driver working-time records be delivered automatically?
Yes. Working-time records are kept automatically from the downloaded data and can be sent to your email address periodically, with no manual compiling.
