Smartanalysis FAQs

Here you’ll find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. Click the question to reveal the answer.

We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQs) about our products, services and usage of our website which may be helpful to you. If you have a question which isn’t covered here, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Common queries about the digital tachograph, smart cards, vehicle units, etc.

• 1 Where can I get a digital tachograph unit?
  All in-scope vehicles over 3.5 tonnes sold in the UK and the EU after May 2006 are required by law to be fitted with a digital tachograph.
  If you wish to fit a digital tachograph to a truck that does not have one fitted, or replace a broken digital tachograph then you will need to contact one of the tachograph manufacturers direct or your vehicle dealer for advice on suppliers in your area.

• 2 How often should I download data from my driver cards and vehicle units?
  By law you are required to download driver smartcards at least every 28 days and vehicle unit data every 90 days.
  Ideally you should download driver cards and vehicle units more frequently to ensure you have regular backups of your data and any infringements can be spotted and dealt with quickly.

• 3 What are the different types of digital tachograph smartcard?
  There are four types:

  1. Driver Card. Carried by your drivers, and which is inserted into the digital tachograph when the driver is on duty.
  2. Company Card. Used by the company for authorising vehicle downloads, etc.
  3. Workshop Card. Available only to approved calibration centres.
  4. Control Card. Available only to VOSA and the Police for carrying out enforcement.

• 4 Who can supply me with Digital Tachograph smartcards?
  In the UK Driver Card and Company Card application packs are available from the Driver & Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). Call the DVLA digital tachograph helpline on 0300 790 6109, or see further information in our Compliance & Advice pages.
  Workshop Card application forms are available from VOSA. For further information and to get the required forms call the VOSA helpline on 0300 123 9000, or go to the VOSA – Workshop Cards section of the Business Link site.

• 5 Why do I need a Card Reader and VU download tool?
  The Card Reader is connected to a PC, and is used to read the information from your Driver’s Card.
  The Vehicle Download Unit is used to read Vehicle information from the Vehicle Unit (the Digital Tachograph).
  The information from both the Driver’s Card and the Vehicle Unit is required by legislation to be recorded and stored.

• 6 Which Vehicle Unit download tools can I use with Smartanalysis?
  You can use all of the widely available VU download tools, including:

  • VDO DLK Pro Download Key
  • Digidown
  • Digidown+ (new device combining card reader and VU downloader)
  • digivu
  • OPTAC
  • digipostpro

  Smartanalysis is also fully integrated with the leading remote download devices including:

  • digiDL

• 7 What are the differences between these VU download devices?
  The new remote download devices (including the digiDL and VDO DLD) are the most convenient and efficient means of downloading data direct from your vehicles. These units can be fitted to each of your vehicles and they transmit data wirelessly using either the GPRS network, or WiFi. If you are interested in these devices, please contact our Support Team who will be able to advise on the devices available and the benefits and costs.

Questions and information relating to our Smartanalysis service

• 1 What is Smartanalysis?
  Smartanalysis is the industry leading Internet based tachograph analysis solution. You can send analogue and digital tachograph data to Smartanalysis, then access your data using any computer connected to the Internet. You can also choose to receive your analysis reports by email automatically.

• 2 Do I need Smartanalysis?
  If you operate vehicles that are fitted with analogue or digital tachographs you need to manage your company’s compliance with transport legislation. Smartanalysis is an easy and cost effective way of doing this.

• 3 What is needed to send digital tachograph data to Smartanalysis?
  To send digital tachograph data from driver smartcards and vehicle units to Smartanalysis, you will need:

  • PC with minimum Pentium 4 500MHz processor
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional or later
  • 200MB free hard disk space
  • 256MB memory
  • One free USB port
  • Minimum screen resolution 1024×768
  • PC/SC / ISO7816 compliant USB Smart Card Reader capable of reading T0 and T1 type cards. These are available from our online shop on this site.
  • Broadband Internet connection 512kB or better
  • Once you are set up on the Smartanalysis system, you can download the Smartanalysis downloader software free of charge.

• 8 How much does Smartanalysis cost?
  With Smartanalysis you can either pay-as-you-go at 25p per driver per day for digital records or pre-pay for a 1 to 5 year subscription and save over the PAYG rates.
  Most other companies charge on a fixed fee ‘per-driver-per-week’ which means you are penalised for drivers that work a short week. In addition, other companies will make additional charges for sending Vehicle Unit data and digital download software etc – we don’t charge for this.