23.03.2005

Digital Tachometers postponed

Last week the European Parliament's Transport Committee voted to delay the compulsory fitting of digital tachographs to commercial vehicles in spite of strong resistance from the European Commission.

The committee has now said that all trucks and buses made after 5 August 2006 or registered after 5 August 2007 must have digital tachographs. The MEPs deemed that these two starting dates were more realistic for the commercial vehicle and transport industries.

'It is good news that common-sense has prevailed in what has been a chaotic situation,' said Robin Dickeson, manager commercial vehicle affairs at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. 'We understand that the effective introduction date for digital tachos in the UK is now 5 August, 2007. This gives everyone involved here a chance to introduce the new kit in an orderly fashion”.