§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what is the intended date for the introduction of digital tachographs; how many representations he has received about the need to protect data from fraudulent manipulation; how many times drivers will be able to lose their smartcard and remain within the law; and what information he has made available to the freight industry. [44936]
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§ Mr. SpellarThe fitting of digital tachographs to new vehicles will become compulsory two years after the publication by the European Commission of the technical specification for digital tachographs. I understand that publication should take place in May this year. On this basis, digital tachographs will need to be fitted to new vehicles from May 2004.
To date, no representations have been received about the vulnerability of data to fraudulent manipulation. The regulation lays down strict security requirements and provides that type approval may not be granted until the whole system has demonstrated its capacity to resist attempts to tamper with or alter the data.
A driver may hold one valid driver card only. If the driver card is damaged, malfunctions or is lost or stolen, the issuing authority—in the UK the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVLA)—will issue a replacement card. The issue of a replacement card will be shown on DVLA's database and the original card recorded as withdrawn. Multiple losses of cards by drivers will be reported by DVLA to the Vehicle Inspectorate who may investigate.
We have kept the industry informed about developments through the Road Haulage Forum and other on-going contacts. Now that the Commission is shortly to publish the technical specification, starting the countdown to implementation of the regulation, we will be consulting the industry on various detailed aspects of the implementation process.