Attestation of Activities: When You Are Away From the Vehicle
What an attestation is for
An attestation of activities is a signed statement used to account for periods when you were away from the vehicle (or otherwise not fully captured by the unit) — typically other work, availability, rest or leave — so enforcement and the operator can see a complete duty picture.
This article is the driver-facing idea. Exact form layout follows your company / GOV.UK template in use.
When drivers commonly need one
- Sick leave / annual leave / other authorised absence that sits inside an analysis window
- Other work done away from any tachograph vehicle
- Periods that would otherwise look like unexplained gaps next to digital records
How it relates to manual entries
Manual entries on the tachograph cover gaps the unit expects you to fill when the card/vehicle interaction needs it. An attestation is a separate paper (or approved digital) declaration for activities that are not simply “another button press on this truck”. Your operator will tell you which tool applies to which gap — do not invent both for the same hour.
What you must get right
- Dates and times that match reality
- Activity type that matches what you were doing
- Your signature / confirmation — not a blank form “for the office to fill later”
Boundaries
An attestation does not legalise illegal driving hours. It explains activity; it does not delete 56/90 limits or rest rules.
Driver habit
If you spent a day away from the truck inside a working week that will be analysed, ask early whether an attestation is required — before the week is closed and forgotten.
