The DVSA has today (6 February 2024) issued an announcement to operators alerting them to an error message that is wrongly displaying and recording on some Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph devices.

It is understood that the message ‘hardware sabotage’ will be displayed on the screen and an event will be recorded in the tachograph. 

DVSA state they have received assurances from Stoneridge that this error message does not affect the working of the tachograph and that the tachograph equipment will continue to operate correctly, even when displaying the error message. Operators can therefore still use vehicles fitted with these tachograph devices; however, DVSA are advising that, if drivers see the error message, they should take a manual printout from the tachograph for production during a roadside stop (we also suggest drivers report any such error message through their normal defect reporting procedures so that a record of the issue is retained, should it be needed at a later date). 

During any roadside stop, DVSA Examiners will check the proper functioning of the tachograph equipment and, if the error message issue is identified in isolation, no action will be taken. 

It is understood that Stoneridge will publish details of any rectification when available.  In the meantime, we suggest that operators who have any vehicles on fleet that are fitted with the Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph devices issue written instructions to their drivers and maintenance teams (whether internal or external) alerting them to the potential error message issue and explaining how that issue should be dealt with if displayed.  

DVSA have confirmed that they cannot provide any indication of how enforcement agencies in other countries will handle this issue, so we also suggest that international operators with any vehicles fitted with the Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph devices stand those vehicles down from international work (and only operate them within Great Britain) until further notice if possible.  If that is not possible, we suggest drivers on international work in affected vehicles are issued with a copy of the DVSA bulletin (which can be accessed here: Stoneridge SE5000 transitional smart 2 tachograph error message (govdelivery.com)) and make manual printouts of their duties (in addition to using the tachograph equipment) whilst driving abroad. 

If any operators do identify that the error message does in fact affect the functioning of the tachograph equipment, please report this issue to the DVSA using enquiries@dvsa.gov.uk and deal with the issue as you would deal with any other fault with the tachograph equipment that affected its functioning.