Monitoring driving and rest hours is the operational heart of any transport company. Under the strict framework of EU Regulation 561/2006, every minute recorded by the digital tachograph counts. Failure to accurately manage these periods doesn't just result in financial penalties; it can lead to the loss of professional reputation (ERRU) and severe safety risks.
In the modern logistics industry, relying on manual calculations or driver memory is no longer viable. A single 15-minute error in a daily rest period or a minor driving excess can trigger a "Very Serious Infringement" (VSI) during a roadside inspection or a corporate labor audit.
The Four States of the Tachograph: Understanding Activity Logs
The digital tachograph acts as a forensic legal witness, categorizing every second of a driver's shift into four specific states. Understanding these is crucial for the correct management of .DDD data:
Driving Time
Recorded automatically as soon as the vehicle moves. It feeds into the weekly and bi-weekly 90h limit.
Other Work (Hammer)
Covers loading, unloading, maintenance, or any task where the driver is working but not driving.
Availability (Crossed Square)
Time spent waiting at borders or while the vehicle is in motion as a co-driver. Crucial for allowance calculations.
Rest & Breaks (Bed)
Uninterrupted recovery time. Any interruption here can lead to insufficient daily rest sanctions.
Critical Infringements in Time Control
Statistical data from thousands of TGD files shows that most sanctions are caused by a lack of real-time visibility. The most common "compliance traps" include:
Daily Rest Insufficiency
High RiskFailing to complete the 11h mandatory period (or the 9h reduced rest) within 24 hours.
Driving Time Excess
FrequentExceeding 4.5 hours of continuous driving without a 45-minute break.
Weekly Rest Deficit
2020 Mobility PackageMismanaging the 45h/24h alternate cycle or the compensation rules.
Data Manipulation
Criminal OffenseUsing "kill switches" or magnets to hide real driving time.
How to Anticipate Sanctions with TachoTools
Our Advanced Rest Control Panel transforms the complex math of Regulation 561/2006 into a visual interface. It allows fleet managers to:
Proactive Compliance
Identify accumulated driving excesses before they trigger a labor audit.
Automated Math
Calculate complex 45h compensations and the per diems and allowances for international drivers.
Professional Time Tracking for Fleets
Stop guessing your drivers' remaining hours. Get a forensic analysis of your .DDD files and ensure 100% regulatory compliance today.
Regulatory & Technical Resources