Tachograph Data Download Blocked by Company
2026 Master Guide: How to unlock the Vehicle Unit (VU), manage previous company locks, and ensure data custody compliance.
Chapter 1: What is a company lock and why does it prevent downloads?
The company lock is a logical security feature of the digital tachograph designed to protect the privacy of activity data. When a transport company acquires a vehicle, it must "lock" it using its own company card. This action establishes a period of ownership in the tachograph's memory, ensuring that only that specific company can download the .DDD files corresponding to its management period.
In 2026, with stricter data protection regulations and sector competition, encountering a blocked download is a common issue, especially with second-hand vehicles. If the previous owner did not perform a "lock-out," the new owner may find it technically impossible to access the data, leading to a serious breach of documentary custody obligations.
Chapter 2: Why you cannot download your data
Active Previous Company Lock
The clearest symptom is the message "Card not valid for this period" or simply a reading error when trying to download VU data. The tachograph protects the previous owner's data, preventing you from viewing their commercial activity.
Company Card Conflict
If you have renewed your company card and the tachograph does not recognize it as the "master key," it could be due to a card conflict caused by expired digital certificates in the vehicle unit.
Chapter 3: How to perform a company lock correctly (Step-by-Step)
To avoid fines from the Transport Inspectorate, you must follow this protocol every time a vehicle enters your fleet:
3.1. Company Card Insertion
Insert your company card into any of the slots (preferably Slot 1). The tachograph will identify it and, if it is the first time, will ask if you wish to perform a company lock.
3.2. Lock-in and Lock-out Procedure
If the vehicle is new to you, the system will notify you that a previous lock exists. By accepting the new lock (lock-in), the tachograph generates a "timestamp." From that second forward, all generated data legally belongs to you and can be downloaded without restrictions.
Chapter 4: What happens if I can't download due to a lock?
Being unable to download data due to a technical locking issue is not a valid excuse before the Administration. According to the 2026 sanctions scale, the lack of vehicle unit data is considered a Very Serious infringement.
- Financial Penalty: Up to €4,001 for each vehicle without records.
- Loss of Good Repute: If the lack of data prevents monitoring driving times, the company enters the ERRU risk index.
- Civil Liability: In the event of an accident, not having VU data due to a poorly managed lock can void insurance coverage.
Chapter 5: Frequently Asked Questions from Fleet Managers
Your data security starts here
Managing company locks is the cornerstone of a solid legal defense. At TachoTools, we help companies verify that their locks are correctly implemented by analyzing the structure of .DDD files. A simple error in lock configuration can leave your company exposed to massive fines for lack of data during an official audit.
Fleet Management
Upload your file to check if the locking period is correct and legal.
Related Resources
Having trouble with data downloads?
At TachoTools, we analyze why your tachograph is blocked and guide you through regaining compliance for your files.