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Digital Tachograph driver cards

What to do if your digital tachograph card is lost, stolen, damaged or has stopped working. Report it to Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) immediately and apply for a replacement card within seven days.

Replacement of lost, stolen and damaged cards

To apply for a replacement card you need to:

  • complete form D777(NI), ‘Application for a digital tachograph driver card’
  • enclose your card if it is damaged
  • submit your application to DVA along with a fee of £19
  • a new photograph is not required

Alternatively, for lost or stolen cards, provided you do not have any changes to make to your personal details, you can apply by phoning DVA from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm, Monday to Friday on:

  • Telephone: 0845 402 4000*

Payment can be made over the phone using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or Delta.

*For Northern Ireland residents only. GB residents please contact Swansea on 0300 790 6109

Replacement of Malfunctioning (Faulty) Driver cards

If your card is Malfunctioning, you must return it to DVA along with a completed application form. Before applying you should check that it is your card that is not working properly.

You can do this by:

  • referring to your Vehicle Unit (VU) manual in order to check that the code being displayed on the VU relates to a card error
  • trying your card in another VU that you know is working correctly
  • asking a colleague who has a card which is working correctly to test their card in your lorry’s VU

A fee is not normally required. However, if you do not return your malfunctioning card with your application a fee of £19 is required before a replacement can be processed.

Please note: before returning your card to DVA you should attempt to download any data it may contain.

Driving while a replacement card is being processed

You can only drive without a card if the one you have previously been issued is lost, stolen, damaged or is malfunctioning. You can drive without a driver card for up to 15 calendar days, or longer if it is necessary for the vehicle to be returned to its premises, as long as you can prove that you could not use the card during this period.

During this time you must keep records by taking Vehicle Unit (VU) printouts, sign/ date and print your name on the back of them and retain them for inspection.

If you are stopped by the police or DVA testing enforcement officers you may be asked to produce these as evidence of the driving you have done.

Replacement driver cards are normally issued within five working days of receiving a valid application.

If you make an application for a replacement and then find the original, you must return it to DVA with a covering letter explaining why it’s being returned. You are not entitled to hold more than one card at a time.

Exchanging your Driver card – Changing your details

To change the details, for example name/ address on your card, you need to complete form D777(NI), ‘Application for a digital tachograph driver card’.

A new photograph or a fee is not required.

You do not need to send your driver card at this point.

Exchanging your EEA Driver card

To exchange your EEA driver card for a NI driver card you need to send:

  • a completed form D777(NI), ‘Application for a digital tachograph driver card’
  • one recent, certified colour photograph
  • proof of residency (three/six months as required)
  • an EEC passport/ID Card
  • a current driving licence
  • a completed D9 form to register your EEC driving licence
  • a £38 cheque/ postal order

Renewing your Driver card

DVA will issue a D786(NI) ‘Application to renew your digital tachograph driver card’  prior to the expiry of your current driver card. If you do not receive a reminder, you can use D777(NI) ‘Application for a digital tachograph driver card’, form which you can get from a DVA Local Office, MOT centre or by calling 0845 402 4000

You should ensure that you apply for a renewal at least 15 working days before your driver card expires and the ability to record information is lost. Once your card expires it can only be used to display, print or download the data held on it.

Your expired card must not be returned and must be kept for 28 days after expiry as you may have to produce it at a roadside check. Data must be downloaded from expired cards before they are disposed of.

The renewal reminder is a courtesy service provided by DVA and is sent to your last recorded address. You are responsible for ensuring that your digital tachograph driver card is renewed prior to the expiry of your existing card. You must also make sure that the personal details on your card and driving licence are correct.

Please note: you cannot drive if your card has expired.

When to expect your Driver Card

The DVA aims to deliver your driver card to you within three weeks of receiving your application.

What if you do not receive your Driver Card

If you haven't received a letter telling you to collect your card within four weeks you should contact the DVA local office or testing station that you nominated on your application form

If you don't tell DVA within eight weeks that your Driver card has not arrived, you must apply for a duplicate and pay the relevant fee.

Useful advice on looking after your digital tachograph driver card

The following is some useful advice on how to look after your driver card:

  • do not bend or flex the card
  • do not leave the card loose within the vehicle. For example, on the dashboard
  • do not use the card for anything other than its intended purpose
  • do not put excessive pressure on the face of the card or the chip
  • keep the card clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and oil
  • clean the card with a soft clean cloth
  • protect the card from loss, theft and damage

You could consider using a card holder to protect your card. (DVA do not provide card holders).

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