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From 1 July 2026, new EU rules will extend tachograph requirements to commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes.
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The provisions of Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 will expand to cover the international road haulage segment, which until now operated outside the scope of tachograph and drivers' working time regulations.
As a result, transport operators will need to adapt both operationally and technically to the new requirements. Installing second-generation smart tachographs (G2V2) will become mandatory for companies carrying out international road transport with vehicles in this category. So what will change in practice, and how can businesses prepare? Here is what you need to know.
The new tachograph requirement will apply to all vehicles with a GVW above 2.5 tonnes used for paid international transport of goods within the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland, regardless of their registration date.
By default, the regulation does not apply to domestic transport. However, EU law allows Member States to extend these requirements to national transport at their discretion.
This means that companies operating international transport will be required to record drivers' working time, rest periods, and activities in accordance with EU regulations. Alongside the tachograph requirement, these companies will also be subject to additional obligations, including the need to register posted drivers in the IMI system and to align working conditions with social standards previously reserved for those in heavy transport.
Although the scope of the new obligations is broad, not every vehicle or transport operation will be covered.
The tachograph requirement for light commercial vehicles applies only to paid international road haulage. Vehicles used privately or for own-account transport, meaning no transport services for external clients, are exempt. Similarly, vehicles that do not cross national borders during transport operations fall outside the scope of the new regulations.
The key factors are the type of transport activity (commercial or non-commercial) and whether operations are domestic or international. It is also important to note the gross vehicle weight threshold: the 2.5-tonne limit applies to the entire vehicle combination.
There are no changes in passenger transport: 9-seater vans remain exempt from tachograph requirements. As before, recording devices are required only in larger vehicles.
Under EU law, vehicles covered by the new obligation to record driver activity must be equipped with G2V2 tachographs, that is, second-generation smart tachographs. The device enables:
Additionally, transport companies and drivers carrying out international transport in vehicles weighing over 2.5 tonnes must use company cards and driver cards. All tachograph and card data must be stored for at least 12 months.
The extension is part of a broader EU strategy aimed at harmonising conditions within the European transport market. Until now, the light transport segment engaging in international operations has remained largely outside rules such as working time regulations, tachograph requirements, and the posting of workers' rules.
The changes aim to combat this imbalance, as well as unfair practices such as circumventing social regulations and driving time requirements. Legislators highlight that these measures are important for improving road safety and strengthening worker protection.
For drivers of light commercial vehicles, using a tachograph will primarily mean compliance with driving and rest time regulations. Drivers will be required to record daily activities and comply with rules regarding breaks, as well as daily and weekly rest periods.
This will also mean restricted operational flexibility. A potential challenge is the need to acquire technical knowledge related to tachograph operation and usage rules, as well as the risk of penalties for non-compliance.
In the initial phase, these changes may be particularly challenging for those not accustomed to operating under strict regulatory control. Full awareness of the new obligations is essential, as penalties for infringements are significant, and even minor procedural errors may lead to serious consequences.
To help you transition smoothly through the upcoming changes and maintain full control over your fleet operations, Eurowag offers Truck Pro as a dedicated solution for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes.
Truck Pro is a comprehensive solution that supports full compliance with the new requirements. You gain real-time visibility into driver activity, driving times, rest periods, and remaining working time limits, while reducing the risk of costly infringements.
The promotional package includes:
Truck Pro automatically tracks working time and generates infringement reports, giving companies a simpler way to manage compliance with the new tachograph requirements. For a broader view of how TachoScan and other Eurowag tools support tachograph compliance, visit our work time management page.
Discover Eurowag fleet management solutions and find out how we can help you stay compliant from day one.
No. The requirement applies only to vans with a GVW above 2.5 tonnes used for paid international transport of goods within the EU, EEA, and Switzerland. Vehicles used for private purposes, own-account transport, or purely domestic operations are not affected.
Vehicles subject to the new rules must be fitted with a G2V2 tachograph, that is, a second-generation smart tachograph. These devices record driving time, border crossings, loading and unloading locations, and transmit data remotely to enforcement authorities via DSRC.
Yes. The regulation applies regardless of the vehicle's registration date. All vehicles above 2.5 tonnes GVW used for paid international transport must comply from 1 July 2026.
Penalties vary by country but are significant. Even minor procedural errors, such as incorrect card usage or failure to record activities properly, can result in fines. Companies are advised to ensure full driver training and fleet compliance before the deadline.
Eurowag offers Truck Pro, a fleet management solution that automatically tracks working time, monitors driver activity and rest periods, and generates infringement reports. The current promotional package includes a 36-month subscription at a special price, 12 months of free Remote Tacho Download, and one year of free company card reader rental.
