How to read a tachograph printout: EU driver guide
How to read a tachograph printout: match the four EU activity symbols and check UTC and local times, odometer and driver card number that inspectors verify.
Logifie Team
Logistics Technology Experts
To read a tachograph printout, match each activity block to one of the four standard EU pictogram symbols - driving, other work, availability, and rest - then check the UTC and local times, the odometer readings, and your driver card number printed alongside them. These are the same records inspectors verify at the roadside.
What information is on a tachograph printout?
Every printout produced under Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 contains the same core fields, whether the unit is an older digital tachograph or a newer smart tachograph v2. At the top you will find the vehicle registration number, the tachograph unit serial number, and the date and time of the printout in both UTC and local time. Below that sits a timeline of your activity for the period requested, rendered as a sequence of the four standard pictogram symbols described in the next section.
The printout also shows the odometer reading at the start and end of each day, your driver card number, and any events or faults recorded by the unit - for example, a power interruption or a card removal while driving. If you made a manual entry to record activity that occurred when your card was not inserted, such as time spent on a ferry, that entry appears flagged and must be signed by you to confirm it is accurate.
For a broader picture of how the unit generates and stores this data before the printout is produced, see the guide to how digital tachographs work .
What do the four tachograph symbols mean?
The symbol set is standardised across the EU and has not changed between analogue, digital v1, smart v1, and smart tachograph v2 units, the last mandatory for vehicles first registered from 21 August 2023 onward. The reading method below therefore stays valid across all tachograph generations.
| Symbol | What it records and why it matters |
|---|---|
| Driving (steering-wheel pictogram) | Time spent at the wheel while the vehicle is moving. Counts directly toward the 4.5-hour continuous driving limit and the 9-hour daily driving limit set by Regulation (EC) No 561/2006. |
| Other work (wrench or spanner pictogram) | Any work activity other than driving - loading, paperwork, vehicle checks. Counts toward the working time total but not the driving limit. |
| Availability (horizontal-bar pictogram) | Waiting time where the driver is on call but not working. Relevant to working time calculations under the EU Road Transport Working Time Directive. |
| Rest or break (bed or reclining-person pictogram) | Confirmed rest or break time. Counts toward the mandatory 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving and toward daily and weekly rest obligations. |
Understanding this table lets you cross-check your own printout against the EU driving hours and rest period rules before a roadside inspection rather than after one.
How many days of printouts must an EU driver carry?
Under the framework set by Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 and Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 , a driver must be able to produce records covering the current day and the previous 56 days on demand at a roadside check. This control period was extended from 28 to 56 days on 31 December 2024 under the EU Mobility Package. Inspectors can request both the driver card, which stores activity electronically, and a paper printout when the card reader or inspection device cannot read the card data directly.
If you are operating across borders, where local enforcement officers may speak a different language from you, having a clean, readable printout in hand speeds up the check considerably. The Logifie Driver Assistant app mirrors your tachograph activity data digitally, giving you a secondary reference alongside the paper printout.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a driver card printout and a vehicle unit printout?
A driver card printout shows the activity recorded on your personal driver card - only your driving and work periods. A vehicle unit printout shows all activity logged by that specific truck, including periods driven by other drivers who inserted their own cards. Inspectors may request either or both at a roadside check.
Can I be fined if I cannot produce a tachograph printout at a roadside check?
Yes. Failure to produce the required records on demand is an infringement under Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 and can result in a fixed penalty in the member state where the check takes place. Penalties vary by country but are applied at the roadside and do not require a court appearance. Carry your driver card and be able to print on request.
Do I need to sign the tachograph printout?
You must sign any printout that contains a manual entry - for example, a period of rest or other work recorded manually because your driver card was not inserted. The signature certifies that the manual record is accurate. A printout that contains only automatically recorded data does not require a signature, though some operators request one as an internal procedure.
How long does a tachograph printout take to produce?
A standard driver activity printout takes under one minute from the moment you select the print option on the tachograph unit. The unit prints to a narrow paper roll built into the head unit. If the paper roll is empty, you must replace it before printing, so carry a spare roll in the cab.
Review your tachograph activity on your phone before a check with the Logifie Driver Assistant app and stay ahead of inspections.
