For logistics companies, freight forwarders and courier operations among others, this means: anyone transporting goods across borders or running cabotage with vehicles above 2.5 up to 3.5 tonnes who missed the deadline must now move quickly — at an inspection, only the current state of equipment, processes and records counts. For the first time this also covers many vans, Sprinters and light commercial vehicles, as well as cars with trailers, which were previously allowed on the road without a tachograph.
New rules above 2.5 tonnes
The legal basis for the new rules is Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 and Regulation (EU) No 165/2014, as amended by EU Mobility Package I. Since 1 July 2026 the following applies:
- Vehicles and vehicle combinations with a permissible gross weight above 2.5 tonnes used in cross-border commercial goods transport or in cabotage require a digital tachograph of the latest generation (Smart Tacho GEN2 V2).
- The drivers of these vehicles are subject to the rules on driving and rest times.
- Exemptions exist among others for own-account transport — with no distance limit — provided that driving is not the driver's main activity.
For vehicles used purely nationally, this EU rule initially changes nothing (exception: Norway) — national provisions continue to apply there (in Germany, for example, the Driving Personnel Regulation).
Three groups in focus
- Freight forwarders and logistics companies
- with vans and light commercial vehicles (2.5–3.5 t) in international transport.
- Trade businesses
- that transport material or equipment across borders and do not fall under the exemption.
- Companies with car and trailer combinations
- that exceed the 2.5-tonne threshold.
Detailed information on your vehicle class can be found on the pages about vans and light commercial vehicles and about tradespeople and own-account transport.
The key milestones at a glance
- 2019 — Smart Tacho GEN1 for new registrations
- 2023 — Smart Tacho GEN2 for new registrations
- 2024 — replacement of legacy devices
- 2025 — end of the GEN1 transition period → GEN2 V2
- 2026 — obligation from 2.5 t
The smart tachograph was introduced in stages, starting in 2019 (GEN1) and 2023 (GEN2). 1 July 2026 is the last and, for many businesses, the most important deadline. The full chronology is on our page about deadlines and dates.
What needs doing now
It comes down to four points: review the fleet, clarify exemptions, prioritise retrofitting and set up data processes. The concrete steps with all the details are in our urgent action plan.
More on practical implementation in the implementation and technology section, more on the risks of non-compliance in the consequences and fines section.