Digital Tachograph driver cards

Information about what action you need to take if your digital tachograph card is lost, stolen or has stopped working. Includes telling DVA immediately and applying 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’
if your card is damaged you must enclose your card
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 on 0845 402 4000, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday. Payment can be made over the phone using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or Delta.

Malfunctioning cards

If your card is malfunctioning, you must return the faulty card to DVA along with a completed application form. Before you do this you should check that it is your card that is not working properly.

Checking your card has malfunctioned

Before returning your card to DVA you should confirm your card is at fault. You can do this by:

referring to your Vehicle Unit (VU) manual in order to check that the error being displayed on the VU is a code relating 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 submit your malfunction card with your application a fee of £19 is required before your replacement card 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 malfunctioning. You are permitted to 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.

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

Receiving your replacement Driver card

Once a replacement for your lost, stolen or damaged card has been produced, it will be sent to the local office or the DVA test centre that you noted on your application form. You will receive a letter telling you when it is ready for collection.

When you go to collect your card you will be asked to:

provide identification
sign a declaration

Before you go to collect your card please make sure you take identification with you, for example your passport, driving licence or utility bill with your current address, otherwise your card cannot be issued.

Please note: if since making your application, you have found your previous card, you must surrender it on collection of your new replacement card. Legally you are not entitled to hold more than one driver card at any one time. If at anytime you find your missing card, please return it to DVA along with a covering letter so it can easily be established why you have returned your card.

Exchanging your Driver card

To change the details, for example name/address on your digital tachograph card you need to:

complete form D777(NI), ‘Application for a digital tachograph driver card’
a new photograph or a fee is not required
please do not forward your drivers card as you will need to exchange this card at your chosen DVTA/Local Vehicle Licensing Office

Once your exchange card has been issued, it will be sent to the local office or the DVA test centre that you noted on your application form. You will receive a letter telling you when it is ready for collection.

When you go to collect your card you will be asked to:

provide identification
sign a declaration

Please note: on collection of your new card you will have to submit your previous card. If you cannot submit your previous card you will have to apply for a replacement card and pay a fee.

Exchanging your EEA Driver card

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

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

Once your exchange card has been produced, it will be sent to the local office or the DVA test centre that you noted on your application form. You will receive a letter telling you when it is ready for collection.

When you go to receive your card you will be asked to:

provide identification
sign a declaration

Before you go to collect your card please make sure you take identification with you, for example; your passport, driving licence or utility bill with your current address, otherwise your card cannot be issued.

Please note: on collection of your new card you must surrender your EEC digital tachograph drivers card, otherwise your card cannot be issued.

Renewing your Driver card

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

Please note: you will need to 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 as the driver 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 driving licence and digital tachograph card are correct.