You need a digital tachograph card to drive most vehicles over 3.5 tonnes fitted with a digital tachograph. The card is tied to you, so every hour of driving is logged against it. Once you have it, practise using it on our free tachograph manual entry simulator.
How much is a digital tachograph card?
- First GB driver card: £32
- Renewing an expired card: £19
- Replacing a lost, stolen or defective card: £19
- Swapping an EU, EEA or Northern Ireland card to GB: £32
Fees can change, so check the DVLA site before you apply. Guidance only, not legal advice.
How to apply for or renew your card
Apply online or by post through the DVLA using form D777B/DL. If you already hold a photocard licence, the DVLA can reuse your photo and signature. Renewals and replacements follow the same process. A driver card lasts five years.
The four card types
- Driver card: inserted before every drive. You may hold only one, and it is an offence to drive on an expired, replaced or defective card, or to let anyone else use yours.
- Company card: the operator's key to the unit. It locks company data and is needed to download it; data must be kept for at least two years.
- Workshop card: held by approved technicians who install and calibrate units, and can be used for road tests.
- Control card: used by DVSA examiners and the police at roadside checks.
Driving for more than one employer
Your hours limits are combined across every employer, and you must tell each of them in writing what you have already driven. Use our drivers' hours calculator to keep track.
Lost or damaged your card?
You can keep driving for up to 15 days with printouts while a replacement is on its way. Read the full rules in what to do if your tachograph card is lost, stolen or damaged.
Practise your first manual entry
Play our free tachograph game and learn exactly what to press in the cab.