Tachograph
New EU Tachograph rules for Vans: Is your fleet ready?
From 1 July 2026, the rules are changing for light commercial vehicles
Starting 1 July 2026, vans and light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used in international transport will fall under new EU tachograph requirements.
For many companies this means that vehicles which were previously not affected by tachograph obligations may now need to be equipped with Smart Tachograph 2.
With EcoMobility, you can prepare your fleet early, stay compliant and manage tachograph data more efficiently.
Are your vans affected?
Until now, tachograph regulations mainly applied to heavier commercial vehicles. From July 2026, the scope will be extended to many lighter vehicles used for cross-border transport of goods.
Your fleet may be affected if your vehicles:
- Have a permissible maximum mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes
- Are used for commercial transport of goods
- Operate in an international transport or cabotage
- Cross borders as part of daily or regular business operations
These vehicles will need to be equipped with a second-generation smart tachograph.
So whether you run a delivery fleet, service vehicles or LCVs for international jobs, now is the time to check your obligations and prepare your processes.
What does Smart Tachograph 2 bring?
Smart Tachograph 2 is designed to make compliance more transparent and easier to verify. It can support functions such as:
Automatic border crossing detection via GNSS
Remove data access via DSRC
Stronger protection against manipulation
More accurate data for better compliance
Tachograph – FAQ
Which vehicles are affected by the new tachograph rules?
From 1 July 2026, certain vans and light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for international transport of goods or cabotage operations will need to be equipped with a second-generatin smart tachograph.
What type of tachograph is required?
Affected vehicles must be equipped with a second-generation smart tachograph, also known as Smart Tachograph 2.
What happens after the tachograph is installed?
Once a vehicle is equipped with a tachograph, companies need to manage the data it generates. This includes regular downloads of vehicle data and driver card data, as well as proper documentation and archiving.
Why is tachograph data download important?
Tachograph data must be downloaded and stored regularly to help prove compliance with driving times, rest periods and other legal requirements. Without a reliable process, companies risk missing deadlines or having incomplete records.
Can tachograph data be downloaded remotely?
Yes. With the right solution, tachograph data and driver card data can be downloaded remotely. This reduces manual work and helps companies manage compliance more efficiently.
How can EcoMobility help?
EcoMobility offers a remote tachograph download solution that helps you manage tachograph and driver card data directly within your fleet management environment. This reduces manual effort and helps you stay on top of your compliance obligations.
If you have further questions or would like additional information, don’t hesitate to contact us.
