Deadlines for the new tachograph

New vehicles over 3.5 tons gross weight: they must be equipped with the intelligent tachograph (2nd version) from August 21, 2023.

Existing vehicles over 3.5 tons gross vehicle weight: if they previously had a 1st generation analog or digital tachograph on board, they must be upgraded to the new devices no later than December 31, 2024. If they already use a 1st version smart tachograph, the conversion deadline comes on August 18, 2025.

NEW! Vehicles over 2.5 tons gross weight: Smaller commercial vehicles in cross-border traffic will also be subject to the tachograph requirement in the future. They must be equipped with the new intelligent tachograph (2nd version) by July 1, 2026 at the latest.

The EU Mobility Package 1 has a lot of key dates which will potentially have a significant impact on a variety of stakeholders who currently use or may be required to use a Tachograph in the near future.

However, following the UK´s withdrawal from the EU, some of the EU Mobility Package 1 requirements will be adopted slightly different within the UK. The key dates and what they mean for the UK market were issued in the DVSA Special Notice 01-2023.

In accordance with Article 3 of the Regulation, the implementation dates for the fitment of the smart tachograph 2, including a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 are (in date order):

On or after 21st August 2023

A ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into newly registered in-scope vehicles (i.e., goods vehicles over 3.5T and passenger vehicles with 10 or more seats) undertaking international journeys. If the vehicle is operating only within the UK, then a smart tachograph 1 can continue to be fitted (if still available).

On or after 21st February 2024

A ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into all newly registered in-scope vehicles regardless of journey types.

On or after 31st December 2024

A ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles with an analogue or digital tachograph undertaking international journeys. If the vehicle is operating only within the UK, then the vehicle can still use the original digital or analogue tachograph that has been fitted.

On or after 19th August 2025

A ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be retrofitted into in-scope vehicles currently fitted with a smart tachograph 1 that are undertaking international journeys. If the vehicle is operating only within the UK, then the vehicle can still use the smart tachograph 1 that has originally been fitted.

On or after 1st July 2026

A ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 must be fitted into all registered goods vehicles over 2.5T, undertaking international journeys for hire and reward. If the vehicle is undertaking an international journey for the driver or company's own account and driving does not constitute the main activity of the driver, there is no requirement to fit a tachograph. In addition, if the vehicle weighs over 2.5T and less than 3.5T and is operating only within the UK, then there continues to be no requirement to fit a tachograph into the vehicle.

Additionally:

Rules for replacing a broken or defective Smart Tachograph 1

For vehicles undertaking international journeys, it is recommended that a faulty smart tachograph 1 be replaced with a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 from 21 August 2023.

For vehicles being operated only within the UK, the tachograph currently installed can be replaced on a like for like basis. Where this is not possible (due to supply shortfalls etc.) then the vehicle may be fitted with a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 or ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2.

'Transitional' Smart Tachograph 2

There is no legal requirement for a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 to be upgraded to a ‘full’ smart tachograph 2 later. Therefore a ‘transitional’ smart tachograph 2 can remain in service unchanged.

Smart 2 Workshop Cards

Approved Tachograph Centres’ should by now have received their new Smart 2 workshop cards which must now be used from 21 August 2023. Workshop cards currently being used up to that date must be securely retained in the safe by the Approved Tachograph Centre in case they are required for examination by DVSA examiners undertaking Approved Tachograph Centre visits.