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Tachograph calibration certificate
The plaque and certificate showing the tachograph was installed and inspected by an approved centre.
This is general information for UK goods-vehicle operators. It is not legal advice. Use the official source on this page, and your operator licence conditions, before you rely on it.
What it is
A tachograph used to record drivers’ hours must be installed, calibrated and sealed by a vehicle manufacturer or an approved tachograph centre. An installation plaque is fixed at or near the tachograph. GOV.UK states that analogue tachographs must be inspected every 2 years and recalibrated every 6 years. Digital and smart tachographs must be recalibrated every 2 years, after repair, if the registration number changes, if UTC time is out by more than 20 minutes, or after a change to the tyre circumference or characteristic coefficient.
Who holds it
The operator keeps the calibration certificate for the vehicle. The plaque stays on the vehicle. Both should be checked before a new or used vehicle goes into service.
At a visit
An expired calibration, a missing plaque, or a seal that does not match the paperwork is a tachograph offence and a common prohibition item. The operator licensing guide also expects calibrations to be up to date.