DDD vs V1B File Differences: Which Format Should You Use?

If you've received a file with a .v1b extension instead of the .ddd you expected, you're not alone — some legacy or vendor-specific download tools produce this alternative format. Here's what the practical difference is, and what to do about it.

What is a .ddd file?

.ddd is the standard tachograph data export format defined under EU Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 and its related technical annexes. It is the format that EU-approved digital tachographs and driver cards are designed to export, and the format that compliance analysis software (including TachoCard) is built to parse directly.

What is a .v1b file?

.v1b is a raw or intermediate export format produced by certain legacy or vendor-specific download tools, rather than a format defined directly by EU tachograph regulation. In practice, it's typically used by specific card-reader or download software as an internal or archival file before (or instead of) producing a standard .ddd export.

Because .v1b is not a harmonized, regulation-defined format in the way .ddd is, support for it varies significantly between different compliance and analysis platforms — some tools may be able to convert or read it, others may not.

The practical difference for compliance workflows

	.ddd	.v1b
Defined by EU regulation	Yes	No — vendor/tool-specific
Cross-platform support	Broad — most compliance software accepts it	Limited — depends on the specific tool/vendor
Recommended for sharing between systems	Yes	Only if the receiving system explicitly supports it
Recommended for long-term archiving	Yes	Only alongside a `.ddd` export, not instead of one

Why this matters if you're switching software or vendors

If your fleet is evaluating a new tachograph analysis platform (or bringing in a second one to complement telematics/remote download), a .v1b-only export from your current tool can become a lock-in problem — not every platform will accept it.

Before committing to a switch, check whether your current download tool can also export standard .ddd files, not just .v1b. Most reputable card readers and download tools support standard .ddd export as a baseline, even if they also offer .v1b for their own internal use.

What to do if you only have a .v1b file

Check your download tool's export settings — many tools that produce .v1b files can also export .ddd from the same underlying download, if you select the right option.
If a direct .ddd export isn't available, check whether your compliance analysis platform can import .v1b directly — support varies, so confirm rather than assume.
As a longer-term fix, standardize your download workflow on tools that export .ddd by default, to avoid this compatibility question going forward.

Does TachoCard support .v1b files?

TachoCard is built around standard .ddd file uploads, which is the EU-regulated format supported broadly across the industry. If you have .v1b files from another tool, check that tool's export options for a standard .ddd output first — that will give you the most reliable path to accurate analysis, regardless of which compliance platform you use.

Frequently asked questions

Is .v1b an official EU tachograph format?

No. .ddd is the format defined under EU tachograph regulation. .v1b is a vendor/tool-specific format used by some download software.

Can I convert a .v1b file to .ddd?

This depends on the specific tool that produced the file — some download software can export both formats from the same download, but not all tools support converting after the fact. Check your download tool's own export options first.

Which format should I ask my card reader software to produce?

.ddd, wherever the option exists, since it is the standard format most broadly supported for compliance analysis and sharing between systems.

Why did my download tool produce a .v1b file instead of .ddd?

This depends on the specific software and its default export settings — check its configuration or export menu for a .ddd option.

Sources: EU Regulation (EU) No 165/2014.