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The Joint Research Committee on Digital Tachographs have advised of mandatory software update requirements for certain Smart Tachograph Version 2 models.
There has been identified, by Foster Transport Compliance over several months that a number of drivers were experiencing issues with digital cards ejecting during the course of the day.
This would generally be followed up by a message in the events and faults that the ‘last card session not correctly closed’.
As a consequence, this would often result in erroneous recordings being made to the driver’s digital card although the recordings on the vehicle unit would be accurate.
Research and advice from Stoneridge, would indicate that a software update was required to the tachograph head.
This appears to, now, have become a mandatory requirement for certain models of tachograph.
These updates are required to address identified security vulnerabilities in certain tachograph recording equipment and are being implemented under Article 20(4) of Regulation (EU) No 165/2014.
Which tachographs are affected?
At present, the following units are subject to mandatory software updates:
Stoneridge SE5000-8.1 – Revisions B, C, D and E
- The update becomes mandatory from 1 September 2026.
- Affected units must be updated to the latest approved software at their next periodic inspection, or when the unit is first installed.
- The affected software versions include 1214 and 1619, depending on the revision of the unit.
- The updated units will move to the relevant Revision F, G, H or I software, namely either the 2424, 2425, 2525 or 2626 software
Continental DTCO 1381 – Version 4.1
- The update has been mandatory since 15 July 2026.
- Affected units running software version 04.01.26 must be updated to 04.01.41 (Version 4.1b).
- The update must be completed at the next periodic inspection, or at first installation.
- Therefore, devices running software version 4126 must be updated to version 4141.
What do you need to do?
If you operate vehicles fitted with either of the above tachographs, we recommend checking the tachograph model, revision and software version to establish whether an update is required. This may also address some anomalous recordings that may have occurred during the normal course of a driver’s working day.
You do not necessarily need to arrange an immediate separate appointment. Where applicable, the update can be completed as part of the vehicle’s next scheduled periodic tachograph inspection.
However, we recommend that operators are aware of the requirement now and discuss it with their tachograph calibration centre when arranging their next inspection, particularly if you have vehicles with affected units or ideally arrange for the software update as soon as possible to prevent further erroneous recordings.
Similarly, if the vehicle has recently undergone a periodic inspection, and the software was not updated, you don’t want to wait a further 23 months, for example, for the software to be updated.
Please also ensure that any new or replacement tachograph installations that are fitted are set up with the appropriate software.
If you are unsure whether any of your vehicles are affected, or what you need to discuss with the Calibration Centre, please contact Foster Transport Compliance to help identify what needs to be checked.
What should the driver do?
In the meantime, if the driver has a card ejected during the course of the working day, due to this, a message will be reported in the events and faults (do not simply accept the driver claiming the ejection, typically stating Tachograph card authentication failure and the driver should take a printout.
When the card is next inserted, a message along the lines of Last card session not correctly closed will be recorded on the driver’s digital card and the printouts will correspond with that. These printouts should be retained by the driver, in accordance with the law and then submitted and retained by the Operator.
Ideally, these printouts should be taken in duplicate in order that one can be submitted by the driver, immediately on return to the Operating Centre.
Other software versions
Please note that we have seen similar erroneous recordings on other software versions and therefore, it is possible that these may be added to the list, in the future, but we have no information on that. If this does happen, please discuss with your calibration centre.
Further information and advice
If you are unsure whether any of your vehicles are affected, or need advice on what to discuss with your tachograph calibration centre, please contact Foster Transport Compliance on 01772 655155.
For further information on the mandatory software updates, please see:
- Joint Research Centre (JRC) – Mandatory Security Software Updates: DTC mandatory security software updates
- Independent Operators and Transport Association (IOTA): Commission confirms Smart Tachograph Version 2 mandatory software update
Need advice on tachograph compliance?
If you are unsure whether your vehicles are affected by the mandatory software updates, or need advice on the legal and regulatory implications of tachograph errors and driver records, contact Backhouse Jones Solicitors’ specialist transport law team to discuss how we can help.
This article was written by Gordon J F Humphreys of Foster Transport Compliance, in partnership with Backhouse Jones Solicitors.