Digital tachograph driver cards

Replacement of lost, stolen and damaged cards

To apply for a replacement card you need to send:

• a completed  digital tachograph driver card application D777 (NI)
• include your card if it is damaged
• a £19.00 cheque/postal order
• a new photograph is not needed

To the address below:

Or, for lost or stolen cards, provided you do not have any changes to make to your personal details, you can apply by emailing dva@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

Payment can be made over the phone using Visa, Mastercard, Maestro or Delta.

*For Northern Ireland residents only.

GB residents should contact Swansea on 0300 790 6801 for drivers' enquiries.

Replacement of malfunctioning driver cards

If your card is malfunctioning, you must return it to DVA along with a fully filled in application form. Before applying you should check that it is your card that is not working properly.

You can do this by:

• referring to your Vehicle Unit (VU) manual in order to check that the code being displayed on the VU relates to a card error
• trying your card in another VU that you know is working correctly
• asking a colleague who has a card which is working correctly to test their card in your lorry’s VU

A fee is not normally needed. However, if you do not return your malfunctioning card with your application a fee of £19 is needed before a replacement can be processed.

Before returning your card to DVA you should try to download any data it may contain.

Driving while a replacement card is being processed

You can only drive without a card if the one you previously have been issued with is lost, stolen, damaged or is malfunctioning. You can drive without a driver card for up to 15 calendar days, or longer if it is necessary for the vehicle to be returned to its premises, as long as you can prove that you could not use the card during this period.

During this time you must keep records by taking Vehicle Unit (VU) printouts, sign/ date and print your name on the back of them and retain them for inspection.

If you are stopped by the police or DVA enforcement officers you may be asked to produce these as evidence of the driving you have done.

Replacement driver cards are normally issued within five working days of receiving a valid application.

If you make an application for a replacement and then find the original, you must return it to DVA with a covering letter explaining why it’s being returned. You are not entitled to hold more than one card at a time.

Exchanging your driver card – changing your details

To change the details, for example name/ address on your card, you need to fill in a digital tachograph driver card application D777 (NI).

A new photograph or a fee is not needed.

You do not need to send your driver card at this point.

Exchanging your European  Economic Area driver card

To exchange your European  Economic Area (EEA)  driver card for a NI driver card you need to send:

• a completed digital tachograph driver card application D777 (NI)
• one recent, certified colour photograph
• proof of residency (dated within the last three months)
• an European Economic Community (EEC) passport/ ID card
• a current driving licence
• a fully filled in application to register a non-GB driving licence (form D9) to register your EEC driving licence
• a £32.00 cheque/ postal order

to the DVA at the address below:

More useful links

• How to apply for a digital tachograph driver card
• Providing proof of identity for a driving licence