Country Code in the Tachograph: How Does It Work?

In this article, we explain everything you need to know about the country code in the tachograph. We will tell you when you are required to enter the country code and what else you need to keep in mind.

Would you like to learn more about country codes and build a complete foundation of tachograph knowledge, including topics such as out-of-scope driving, the ferry/train function, and the smart tacho 2? Take our free tachograph course on the Roadsoft Academy.

When to Enter the Country Code?

Since February 2022, it has been mandatory to enter the country code in the tachograph. The country code must be entered at three moments:

• The start of the shift
• The end of the shift
• When crossing a national border

Start of the Shift

The first situation in which you must enter the country code in the tachograph is at the start of the shift. The option to enter the starting country appears before the manual entry needs to be confirmed, or you may first see a confirmation of the manual entry followed by the option to select a starting country. It is important that this is filled in correctly and confirmed. After entering, you will see the home screen of the tachograph.

Crossing a National Border

The second situation in which you must enter the country code is when crossing a national border. When you cross a national border, you must also manually enter the country code if your vehicle does not have a smart tacho 2. This requirement has been in effect since February 2022. The country code must be entered at the nearest safe stopping place at or beyond the border. Please note that this must be done at the very next safe stopping place — not on the hard shoulder.

End of the Shift

The third situation in which you must enter the country code on the tachograph is at the end of the shift. A country code must always be entered on the tachograph at the end of the shift. When a driver removes the driver card from the tachograph, the driver’s name is first shown with a progress bar. After this, it is immediately possible to enter the country code.

Country Code with a Smart Tacho

You do not need to enter a country code when crossing a border if you have a smart tacho 2. The smart tacho 2 is mandatory on new vehicles first registered with the RDW after 21 August 2023. The smart tacho 2 automatically determines the location when crossing a border. For all other tachographs, including the smart tacho 1, the country code must still be entered manually. So not every smart tachograph enters the country code automatically.

Why This Rule?

The requirement to enter a country code is laid down in the Mobility Package. The Mobility Package contains the European tachograph rules established by the European Commission. The tachograph is now used not only for recording driving and rest times, but also for the enforcement of cabotage and posting of workers regulations.

Cabotage refers to the transport of goods within Europe between two points, and it is only permitted to a limited extent. A carrier may carry out 3 cabotage trips within 7 days, after which the carrier may not carry out any cabotage trips for 4 days. The posting of workers involves lending employees to a third party. By registering which country the work is performed in, a fair wage can be paid to the employee. This ensures fair competition throughout Europe and helps prevent the exploitation of workers. The mandatory use of country codes makes cabotage and posting violations easier to detect and enforce.

How to Enter the Country Code

How does entering the country code in the tachograph work?

1. Press OK to enter the menu.
2. Scroll down twice to Driver 1 and press OK.
3. It now shows ‘starting country’, press OK.
4. Scroll to the correct country code and press OK.
5. It will then show ‘input saved’ and you are done.

Domestic Transport and Country Code

Entering the country code is also mandatory for drivers who only transport domestically. Drivers performing domestic transport must still enter the country code for the start and end country in the tachograph — which in this case is the Netherlands.

Video About Country Codes

Prefer to watch? Check out the video we made about country codes: YouTube – Country code in the tachograph. This video is part of our tachograph course.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it allowed to enter a country code while driving?

No, it is not permitted to enter a country code while driving. The driver must find the nearest safe stopping place and park the vehicle before changing the country code.

Does a Smart Tacho 1 automatically register the country code?

No, a Smart Tacho 1 does not automatically enter the country code. A Smart Tacho 1 does provide a country suggestion, but this suggestion still needs to be confirmed in the tachograph.

Is it allowed to stop on the hard shoulder to enter the country code?

No, the country code must be entered at the next available safe stopping place. The hard shoulder is not a safe stopping place.