Credit: NeedPix
Digital tachographs use driving symbols to show the different driver statuses during working hours. This is to make sure that the drivers don’t infringe the laws around their drive and rest times.
There are four legally recognised key symbols for tachograph devices.
Drive

This records the time a driver is using a vehicle and the engine is running, including when they’re parked.
Other work

This logs the time when a driver is still working but is doing work other than driving (the engine is off), such as moving goods from a stationary vehicle.
Available

This accounts for the time when the engine of a vehicle isn’t on but the driver must be available to resume driving or take calls. This covers periods like when an international driver is on a ferry that’s in transit between countries.
Rest/break

This covers times when the driver is resting or taking a break, both during work hours and when they’re off shift.
The purpose of these symbols is to make it easier for fleet managers, company owners and drivers to understand the tachographs data.