Tachograph Symbols and Meanings: A Complete Guide for HGV Drivers

Understanding tachograph symbols is essential for HGV drivers who need to record their driving hours, breaks and other activities correctly.

Whether you’re new to driving HGVs or need a quick reminder, knowing what each symbol means can help you maintain accurate records and avoid compliance issues.

This guide explains the four main tachograph symbols, how to use them and what to do when warning symbols appear on your digital tachograph.

What are tachograph symbols?

Tachograph symbols are used to identify and record different activities throughout a driver’s working day.

A tachograph records information such as driving time, speed, distance and driver activity. This helps drivers and fleet operators monitor compliance with drivers’ hours regulations.

Digital and smart tachographs use symbols to show which activity is being recorded. The four main activity modes are:

• Driving

• Other work

• Period of availability

• Break or rest

These symbols are used across tachograph systems, although the appearance of displays and additional icons can vary by manufacturer.

For more information on how tachographs work, read SNAP’s guide to tachograph rules and HGV driving hours.

Tachograph symbols and meanings explained

The four main tachograph symbols are straightforward once you understand what each one records.

These descriptions explain the symbols rather than reproducing their exact appearance. You can see the official activity symbols in the DVSA’s tachograph guidance.

1. Driving symbol – Steering wheel

The driving symbol represents time spent driving the vehicle.

On digital tachographs, driving activity is normally recorded automatically when the vehicle starts moving.

For example, if you drive for two hours before stopping at a delivery location, those two hours are recorded as driving time.

According to GOV.UK’s drivers’ hours guidance, drivers operating under the standard assimilated rules must generally take a break of at least 45 minutes after no more than four and a half hours of accumulated driving, unless they begin a qualifying rest period.

2. Other work symbol – Crossed hammers

The crossed hammers symbol represents work carried out when you’re not driving.

Examples include:

• Loading or unloading goods.

• Completing vehicle safety checks.

• Cleaning or maintaining the vehicle.

• Completing work-related paperwork.

• Carrying out other duties for an employer.

It’s important to remember that other work does not count as a driving break.

For example, if you drive for three hours and then spend an hour unloading goods, you have still accumulated three hours of driving towards your next required driving break.

3. Availability symbol – Square with a diagonal line

The availability symbol represents a period of availability (POA).

This generally applies when you’re waiting to resume work, the expected duration is known in advance and you’re not required to carry out other work during that period.

Examples may include:

• Waiting while another worker loads or unloads your vehicle, where the expected duration is known in advance.

• Certain periods accompanying a vehicle on a ferry or train.

• Sitting alongside another driver during multi-manning, provided you’re not performing other work.

Not every period of waiting qualifies as availability. If you’re required to work or the waiting period doesn’t meet the relevant conditions, it may need to be recorded as other work instead.

Periods of availability should not automatically be treated as driving breaks or rest periods.

The DVSA’s tachograph guidance provides further information on recording different activities.

4. Break and rest symbol – Bed

The bed symbol is used when taking a break or rest period.

A break is time used for recuperation during which you must not carry out driving or other work. A rest period is an uninterrupted period when you can freely dispose of your time.

Examples include:

• Taking a qualifying 45-minute driving break.

• Completing your daily rest period.

• Taking your weekly rest period.

Under the standard drivers’ hours rules, a 45-minute driving break can also be split into two periods, with the first lasting at least 15 minutes and the second at least 30 minutes, in that order.

For more information, read SNAP’s guide to tachograph rules.

Other digital tachograph symbols you should recognise

Alongside the four main activity symbols, digital and smart tachographs display additional icons relating to their operation.

These can include:

The precise appearance and combinations of these icons depend on the tachograph model.

Drivers should refer to their manufacturer’s handbook for model-specific instructions.

What do digital tachograph warning symbols mean?

Digital tachographs can display warnings when they detect a problem or when a driver approaches certain driving-time limits.

Common warnings relate to:

Driving-time limits: The tachograph may alert you when you’re approaching the maximum permitted continuous driving time.

Driver card problems: A warning may appear if the driver card cannot be read correctly or if another card-related issue is detected.

Tachograph faults: Equipment problems may trigger a warning requiring further investigation.

Recording issues: Certain events or interruptions may be recorded and displayed by the device.

Drivers should not ignore these warnings. Check the message displayed, consult the tachograph’s operating instructions and follow the appropriate procedure.

For further information, see GOV.UK’s guidance on tachograph rules.

How to select the correct tachograph mode

Selecting the correct mode is an important part of maintaining accurate driving records.

Although driving time is normally recorded automatically, drivers are responsible for ensuring that other activities are recorded correctly.

For example, a typical working day might look like this:

Always check which mode your tachograph selects when the vehicle stops. Some devices automatically switch to other work, rather than break or rest.

If activities are recorded incorrectly, drivers may need to make an appropriate manual entry or follow the relevant correction procedure.

Common tachograph mistakes to avoid

Even experienced drivers can make mistakes when recording their activities.

Leaving the tachograph on the wrong mode

One common issue is failing to change the activity mode when switching between work, availability and rest.

For example, leaving the tachograph on other work while taking a break may result in an inaccurate record.

Recording loading time as a break

Loading and unloading are normally classed as other work when the driver is carrying out those activities.

This means the time cannot simply be recorded as a break.

Forgetting manual entries

When a driver removes their card or carries out work that isn’t automatically recorded, manual entries may be required.

These entries help ensure the tachograph record accurately reflects the driver’s activities.

Assuming waiting time always counts as rest

Waiting at a delivery location does not automatically qualify as a break or rest period.

The correct recording depends on whether the driver is working, available for work or genuinely taking a qualifying break.

For more information, read the Department for Transport’s guidance on recording other work.

Do smart tachographs use the same symbols?

Yes. Second-generation smart tachographs continue to use the main activity symbols for driving, other work, availability and rest.

However, newer devices offer additional features, including enhanced location recording and information used for compliance checks.

For drivers operating internationally, understanding these features is increasingly important.

Read SNAP’s guide to second-generation smart tachographs to learn more about G2V2 technology and its implications for fleets.

Planning breaks and rest stops with SNAP

Understanding tachograph symbols is only one part of managing driving hours. Drivers also need to find suitable places to take their required breaks and rest periods.

The SNAP Map helps drivers find truck parking locations across the UK and Europe.

Drivers can use it to:

• Find truck parking along their route.

• Check available facilities, including toilets and showers.

• Identify locations with security features.

• Find participating sites offering advance booking.

• Plan suitable stopping points before reaching their driving limits.

For drivers planning longer journeys, identifying suitable parking in advance can help reduce the uncertainty of finding somewhere to stop.

Explore SNAP’s truck parking network to find locations for your next journey.

Frequently asked questions

What are the four main tachograph symbols?

The four main tachograph symbols represent driving (steering wheel), other work (crossed hammers), availability (square with a diagonal line) and break/rest (bed).

What does the crossed hammers symbol mean on a tachograph?

The crossed hammers symbol represents other work. This includes activities such as loading, unloading, vehicle checks and other work-related duties carried out when you’re not driving.

What does the bed symbol mean on a tachograph?

The bed symbol represents breaks and rest periods. Drivers should select this mode when taking a qualifying break or rest, rather than carrying out work.

What does the square symbol mean on a tachograph?

The square with a diagonal line represents a period of availability. This can include qualifying waiting periods where the expected duration is known in advance.

Does a tachograph automatically record breaks?

Not necessarily. Digital tachographs normally record driving automatically, but drivers must ensure the correct mode is selected for breaks and rest periods.

What happens if you select the wrong tachograph symbol?

Selecting the wrong mode can result in inaccurate records. Drivers should follow the appropriate correction or manual recording procedure and seek guidance where necessary.

Understanding tachograph symbols helps keep journeys compliant

Knowing what each tachograph symbol means makes it easier to record your activities accurately and understand the information displayed on your device.

Whether you’re driving, loading goods, waiting at a delivery location or taking a break, selecting the correct mode is an important part of following drivers’ hours regulations.

For more information, explore SNAP’s tachograph rules guide or use the SNAP Map to find suitable truck parking for your next journey.