How does a roadside check work?
What an inspector may check, what you have to show, and your rights during and after the check.
This translation was made automatically and has not been reviewed yet. If in doubt, the Dutch text and the official legal text prevail.
How often are checks carried out?
Every Member State must check at least 3% of drivers' working days each year. At least 30% of those at the roadside and at least 50% at the companies' premises. With the smart tachograph version 2, inspectors can read certain data remotely and so stop vehicles in a more targeted way.
What is checked?
- Driving times, rest periods and breaks;
- the tachograph itself (operation, calibration, manipulation, such as a magnet);
- your driver card and the records for today + 56 days;
- driving licence, code 95, vehicle documents;
- for international transport: CMR, Community licence, posting declaration, cabotage evidence;
- load and technical condition of the vehicle.
Checklist: what must you carry?
| Document | |
|---|---|
| Driving licence with code 95 (or driver qualification card) | ✓ |
| Driver card | ✓ |
| Records for today + 56 days (card, printouts, tachograph charts) | ✓ |
| Vehicle registration and insurance documents | ✓ |
| Copy of the Community licence (international) | ✓ |
| Consignment note (CMR / e-CMR) | ✓ |
| Copy of the posting declaration (for cabotage or cross-trade) | ✓ |
| For ADR: ADR certificate and written instructions | ✓ |
Your rights during the check
- You may ask for the inspector's identity and the department they work for.
- Ask for an explanation if you do not understand what you are accused of. Do not let yourself be pressured into signing something you do not understand. You can write on it that you do not understand it or do not agree.
- Ask for a copy or printout of the official report and of any tachograph printouts.
- Take photos yourself of documents you have to sign.
After the check
- Inform your employer as soon as possible.
- An infringement committed in another country can also be penalised in the country where you are checked.
- Do you doubt a fine or an official report? Contact your trade union or a lawyer. The deadlines for lodging an objection differ per country and are often short.