COMMISSION CLARIFIES TACHOGRAPH 2 REQUIREMENTS
The European Commission has published a questions-and-answer document concerning the use of tachographs as a result of the amendments to Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 introduced by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054.
A key clarification relates to the recording of border crossings. The Commission confirms that drivers are not required to manually register border crossings when operating vehicles equipped with a smart tachograph version 2, even where the driver card in use is of an earlier generation. In such cases, the tachograph automatically records the border crossing, and enforcement authorities can access the corresponding information directly.
The Commission has further clarified the position of drivers using tachograph cards issued by non-EU signatory states to the AETR agreement. It notes that such cards may not support all functionalities associated with smart tachograph version 2. Consequently, drivers must ensure that EU record-keeping requirements are met through alternative means of record where necessary.
The rollout of the new tachograph has taken place in stages. New vehicles have been required to be equipped with smart tachograph version 2 since August 2023. For existing vehicles engaged in international transport, a retrofit obligation applied, with the final deadline reached in 2025. This transition proved challenging in practice due to equipment shortages and workshop capacity constraints, prompting strong engagement from industry organisations such as the International Road Transport Union.
The scope of the rules will be extended further. From 1 July 2026, light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes engaged in international transport or cabotage will also be required to be equipped with a smart tachograph version 2, even where cross-border operations are only occasional.