Renewing your digital tachograph driver card
Your digital tachograph driver card is valid for five years. You should apply for renewal at least 15 days before your current driver card expires. Once your card expires it can only be used to display, print or download the data held on it.
How to apply
The Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA) will issue a D786(NI) ‘Application to renew your digital tachograph driver card' before the expiry of your current driver card.
This is sent to your last recorded address, therefore you must make sure that the personal details on your card and driving licence are kept up-to-date.
If you do not receive a reminder, you can use a digital tachograph driver card application D777 (NI) form. If you already have a NI driving licence, you do not need to send a new photograph when you are renewing your card.
You should make sure that you apply for a renewal at least 15 working days before it expires, as it will not record information after this date and you cannot drive if your card has expired.
Your expired card must not be returned and must be kept for 28 days as you may need to produce it at a roadside checkpoint. Data must be downloaded from expired cards before they are disposed of.
When to expect your driver card
DVA aims to deliver your driver card to you within four weeks of receiving your application. If you haven’t received it by then, you should email DVA and let them know. See the contact page below for the email address.
What if you do not receive your driver card
If you do not receive your card within four weeks of applying you should email DVA at the address on the contact page above.
If you don't tell DVA within eight weeks that your driver card has not arrived, you must apply for a duplicate and pay the relevant fee.
If you don't tell DVA within eight weeks that your driver card has not arrived, you must apply for a duplicate and pay the relevant fee.
Useful advice on how to look after your driver card
The points below give useful advice on how to look after your driver card:
- do not bend or flex the card
- do not leave the card loose within the vehicle, for example, on the dashboard
- do not use the card for anything other than its intended purpose
- do not put too much pressure on the face of the card or the chip
- keep the card clean, dry and free from dirt, grease and oil
- clean the card with a soft clean cloth
- protect the card from loss, theft and damage
You could consider using a cardholder to protect your card. (DVA does not give out cardholders).