How the retrofit works
- Take stockIdentify all vehicles that have fallen under the obligation since 1 July 2026.
- Secure a workshop appointmentInstallation must be carried out by a certified specialist workshop. Given the high demand, booking an appointment directly is advisable.
- Installation and calibrationThe device is installed and individually calibrated for the vehicle concerned.
- Function testAfter installation the device is tested for correct operation.
What costs should you expect?
According to currently available market figures, prices for a Smart Tacho GEN2 V2 device range roughly from several hundred to over a thousand euros. On top of that come the costs of installation and calibration by the workshop. Actual costs depend on the vehicle type, the device manufacturer and the workshop concerned.
For a binding cost estimate for your fleet we recommend an individual quotation from your specialist workshop.
Company card and driver cards
Besides the device itself, every company needs a company card and every driver a driver card.
The company card links the tachograph to the company (technically known as "setting the company lock") and thereby protects the data stored in the tachograph against unauthorised access. The company card is also required when the data is read from the tachograph — at least every 90 days.
The driver card is a personal document belonging to the driver. It is inserted into the tachograph when work on the vehicle begins and documents the driver's activities and driving data.
The company card must be applied for by the company at the competent local authority (depending on the federal state). The driver applies for the driver card personally at the driving licence authority responsible for their place of residence. As processing can take some time, plan applications for new or changing drivers well in advance.
Do not forget the processes
Installation alone is not enough — you also need processes for regular data download and archiving. Our urgent action plan shows how to tackle this in a structured way, fast.
Back to the overview: implementation and technology.