HGV compliance
Tachograph Download Deadlines: The 28-Day and 90-Day Rules
It's easy to assume tachograph compliance is only about driving hours — but failing to download the data on time is a separate offence in its own right, regardless of whether the hours themselves were fine.
The two deadlines
Driver card data must be downloaded at least every 28 calendar days. Vehicle unit data must be downloaded at least every 90 calendar days. They're independent obligations: a driver could be perfectly compliant on hours and still be in breach purely for missing a download window.
Why it's a separate offence
The download requirement exists so records can actually be checked and retained, not just generated in the cab. DVSA enforcement treats a missed download as a distinct failure from a driving-hours infringement — both can be penalised on the same roadside or O-licence check.
The other clock running alongside it
Tachograph units also need calibration every 2 years, separate again from the vehicle's annual MOT test — a third date that's easy to lose track of alongside the download cadence.
Not in FleetCompliance yet
This isn't in FleetCompliance today — it's on the roadmap, not shipped. FleetCompliance currently tracks MOT, insurance, LOLER and driver licence/CPC/medical deadlines; tachograph download and calibration tracking is planned but not yet built.
Frequently asked questions
How often do you legally have to download a tachograph driver card?
At least every 28 calendar days, regardless of how much the vehicle has actually been driven in that window.
How often do you have to download the vehicle unit?
At least every 90 calendar days — a separate deadline from the driver card's 28 days, tracked independently per vehicle rather than per driver.
Is a missed tachograph download the same offence as a driving-hours breach?
No — they're treated as separate offences. A driver and vehicle can be fully compliant on hours and still be in breach for a missed or late download.
Rules and thresholds referenced here reflect UK regulations at the time of writing. Always confirm current requirements directly with the relevant regulator (DVSA, DVLA, HSE, the Environment Agency or your Traffic Commissioner) before relying on this page for a compliance decision.
See what FleetCompliance already tracks
This one isn't built yet, but MOT, insurance, LOLER and driver licence/CPC/medical deadlines are — free for 1 vehicle, no card needed.