How does the driver card work and what is it used for?

In the road transport sector, the driver card is a key tool for tracking hours, ensuring regulatory compliance and the reliability of data transmitted to operations. By recording 28 days of activity, it enables hauliers to monitor driving times, anticipate the risk of infringements and feed their business tools (notably social management or data integration into their TMS environment).

With the arrival of second-generation intelligent tachographs (Smart Tachy 2), the driver card continues to evolve, enabling more precise traceability and enhanced controls.

Understanding how to obtain, use and operate a driver card effectively is therefore essential for day-to-day business management, and to guarantee a reliable and secure organization.

What is the purpose of the driver card?

The driver card (or tachograph card) records the driver's activities for 28 days. It stores information such as vehicle identity, mileage, faults and breakdowns, and driving status.

With the new 1C and Smart Tachy 2 tachographs, the card also manages GNSS data, border crossings and authentication at roadside checks.

Is the driver card a compulsory document?

The driver card is compulsory for anyone driving a vehicle over 3.5 t (or carrying more than 9 passengers).

Driving without a card is an offence. It is only tolerated in the event of theft, loss or malfunction (e.g. blockage of the card in the tachograph), and then only for 15 days (or longer in certain cases, to return the vehicle to the company).

How do I apply for a driver card?

The application must be made to the country in which you reside for more than 185 days a year. In France, the ChronoServices portal is authorized to issue tachograph cards.

The driver card must be renewed every 5 years, and the driver must keep his or her old card until the data has been fully recovered (at least one month, sometimes longer for cross-border activities).

Who pays for the driver card?

Under the terms of decree no. 2006-303 of March 10, 2006, the cost of the card is borne by the employer. If the driver has taken the necessary steps to obtain the card, the company must reimburse the employee for the amount paid.

How to empty a driver card and have it read?

Drivers are required to empty their tachograph cards every 28 days, failing which they will be penalized.

Companies must keep this data for at least 1 year (2 years recommended for international operations).

Driver cards can be emptied using special card readers or terminals, which automatically extract the data. It is also possible to automatically download data remotely via a connected telematics solution.

Tachograph software is essential for processing driver card data, and will help you to produce payslips and check hours worked.

New tachographs, new cards

Since March 15, 2019, 1B cards have been replaced by 1C cards. These are the new cards associated with the new 1C tachographs (also known as intelligent tachographs).

No need to panic, however, for drivers with older card models: the new cards are compatible with both old and new tachographs (the same applies to older cards).

Since 2023, second-generation smart tachographs (Smart Tachy 2) have been progressively made compulsory. Current 1C cards remain compatible and will be automatically replaced on renewal by an ST2-compatible version.

Replacement of valid cards is also not compulsory: it will be sufficient to wait for the expiry date to receive a new 1C driver card.