Using another driver’s card is a critical tachograph infringement that completely compromises the traceability of road transport activities. Under EU regulations, this is not merely a procedural error; it is classified as a deliberate attempt to bypass safety laws.
While incorrect tachograph use may stem from negligence, lending or using a third-party card is seen as a premeditated strategy to exceed daily driving limits or hide mandatory rest deficiencies.
Common Scenarios of Card Misuse
Active Impersonation
- Driving while a colleague's card is inserted in Slot 1.
- Swapping cards during a shift to reset driving timers.
- Using cards belonging to former employees or deceased drivers.
Corporate Liability
- Lending your card to a colleague under company pressure.
- Failing to report a lost card and allowing its continued use.
- Lack of internal supervision over card/vehicle pairings.
Why it is a Very Serious Offence (VSI)
Authorities treat the use of a third-party card with the same forensic severity as Tachograph Manipulation. It directly undermines:
- Road Safety: It allows fatigued drivers to remain behind the wheel.
- Fair Competition: Companies using fraud gain an illegal commercial advantage.
- Data Integrity: It corrupts the official .DDD records required for labor audits.
How Inspectors Detect Card Fraud
Modern enforcement software uses cross-referencing logic to spot inconsistencies in TGD/DDD files that are impossible to explain:
| Detection Method | Forensic Logic |
|---|---|
| Simultaneous Activity | Identifying one card driving while the same driver's card is recorded elsewhere. |
| Geographical Gaps | A card is inserted in a vehicle 500km away from its last known ejection point. |
| Speed vs. Activity | Detecting high-speed movement in Slot 1 while Slot 2 (the real driver) is on "Rest". |
Associated Penalties & ERRU Impact
The consequences of card fraud are among the highest in the transport sector:
Extreme Fines
Immobilization
Loss of Repute
Criminal Charges
Is Your Data Clean?
A single card inconsistency can trigger a full company audit. Use TachoTools to flag anomalies before an inspector finds them.
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