EU mandates intelligent tachographs for 2.5‑3.5 t commercial trucks

Effective 1 July 2026, European Union regulations will require light commercial vehicles and combinations with a maximum authorised mass between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes that are used for paid international transport or cabotage to be equipped with second‑generation intelligent tachographs (G2V2). The devices must record border crossings, loading and unloading locations, and drivers’ activities.

Exemptions apply to vehicles used exclusively within a 100‑km radius for construction sites, to non‑commercial or household transport, and to passenger‑type buses carrying up to nine people. The requirement covers both newly registered and existing vehicles, but does not extend to purely domestic freight or passenger transport. Operators must provide driver cards, train drivers on the equipment, and may face penalties for non‑compliance.