The Different Tachograph Cards

Using a tachograph requires several types of tachograph cards. Depending on the purpose, situation, or form of registration, these are a driver card, company card, workshop card, or control card. All four types are issued in the Netherlands by Kiwa Register (in Rijswijk) and work with all brands of digital tachographs.

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Driver Card

You can apply for a driver card if you hold a valid B, C, D, or E driving licence, have been resident in the Netherlands for at least 185 days, and do not already hold a valid driver card. Once received, the card is valid for five years. Storage capacity is approximately 7–9 months. When full, the oldest entries are overwritten.

Applying for a Driver Card via Kiwa Register

Drivers need a personal account at Kiwa Register. The following documents must be uploaded during the application:

• Number of your valid Dutch driving licence
• B, C, D and/or E or digital file of valid foreign driving licence
• Digital passport photo file

A fully digital application has a shorter processing time. Cards are typically produced within ten working days, well within the statutory four-week deadline.

Temporary Driver Card for Non-EU Residents

If you work for a Dutch company but are not from an EU/EEA country, you need a temporary driver card. This card is valid for a maximum of 185 days and is issued only once. It serves three functions:

• Visual identification (includes a passport photo)
• Grants access to the digital tachograph
• Records driving and rest times

Only an employer can submit the application digitally, using eHerkenning credentials, and uploading the employee’s driving licence, passport photo, signature, and work permit and/or driver attestation.

Renewing Your Driver Card

After five years, your driver card expires. Kiwa Register will send a reminder. You may apply for renewal up to three months before expiry. Only use the new card once the old one has expired. Keep the old card for the following 28 days for roadside accountability purposes.

Reading the Driver Card

Although legally required every 28 calendar days, we advise reading your driver card weekly or fortnightly to prevent data loss through overwriting. Note: reading the card does not delete data — it simply creates a copy in the software.

Company Card

Every company using a digital tachograph must have at least one company card. Use it to link your company to the vehicle’s tachograph (‘lock-in’), and unlink it when selling the vehicle (‘lock-out’). The company card is also used to download data from the tachograph every 90 days.

Applying for a Company Card

Apply digitally at Kiwa Register. The card is valid for five years. A maximum of 62 cards can be requested per Chamber of Commerce number. Required documents:

• eHerkenning login credentials
• Digital payment method

Delivery is typically around ten working days after the file and payment are registered.

Workshop Card

Technicians need a workshop card to install, calibrate, and repair digital tachographs. Requirements: installer diploma, employed at an RDW-approved workshop, and no existing valid workshop card. The card is valid for one year. Required at application:

• Inspection authority number
• eHerkenning login credentials
• Name, address, and date of birth
• Digital passport photo file
• Digital payment method

Technicians also receive a personal PIN code to activate the card. Keep it safe — it is issued only once.

Control Card

Enforcement officers employed by a competent authority use the control card to inspect the data on a driver’s card and tachograph.

Driver Card Lost, Defective, or Stolen

If defective or stolen, report it within seven calendar days. If lost or stolen abroad, report it in the member state where it occurred. Then notify Kiwa Register and receive a declaration in four languages. You may drive without a card for up to fifteen days, but must make tachograph printouts at the end of each working day, including:

• Full name
• Address
• Driving licence number and signature

If the old card turns up after receiving a replacement, send it back to Kiwa Register. Do not use it — this is prohibited and easily detected, leading to a heavy fine.

Driver Card Confiscated

Your driver card may be confiscated during an inspection. Confiscated cards are sent to Kiwa Register and are likely to be revoked. If the outcome is in your favour, you can collect the card from Kiwa Register after the legal process.

Tachograph Cards for Hired Vehicles

Both the company and the driver must hold valid company and driver cards when hiring a truck. Link the tachograph to the company using the company card. Always read the tachograph before returning the vehicle and perform a ‘lock-out’ to unlink the company.

Card Fees

The Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management sets the fees. All tachograph cards are priced at €95 excluding VAT (€114.95 including 21% VAT). For VAT deduction purposes, it is advisable to apply for cards in the name of the company.

Questions?

Do you have questions about one or more tachograph cards? Don’t hesitate to call or email us — we are happy to help.