The tachograph is the device that records driving time, breaks and rest periods as well as periods of other work and availability of drivers engaged in the carriage of goods or passengers by road. The purpose of the tachograph is to enable controls of compliance with the set of EU rules aimed to prevent driver fatigue and to contribute to good working conditions of drivers, road safety and fair competition.
It is mandatory to install a tachograph in new vehicles having a mass of more than 3,5 tonnes when they are intended for the transport of goods, or new vehicles carrying more than 9 persons including the driver, when they are intended for the transport of passengers.
Regulation (EU) N° 165/2014 on recording equipment in road transport sets out the basic constructive characteristics of the tachograph and lays down the main elements of the system that must be put in place and maintained in order to implement the tachograph across the EU.
Digital tachographs are able to record and store the activity of the driver and the co-driver in an accurate and secure manner, thanks to the implementation of forefront technology and strong anti-tampering measures. The driver must insert into the tachograph a personal card incorporating a microchip before starting to drive. This personal card stores the driving activity from the driver for at least 28 days and ensures that the information can be easily retrieved by inspection authorities.
Since 15 June 2019 a new generation of tachographs, so called smart tachographs, are being installed in newly registered trucks and buses. The smart tachograph features the same functionalities as previous generations of the digital tachograph, complemented with additional communication tools, such as GNSS positioning and transmission of real-time information to enforcement authorities by means of a short-range communication channel. It also incorporates enhanced anti-tampering measures such as encryption keys generated with the most advanced algorithms.
Latest version of the smart tachograph, and “retrofit” in vehicles engaged in international transport
Following the amendment to Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 by Regulation (EU) 2020/1054, a new version of the smart tachograph (smart tachograph version 2) is being deployed since August 2023. Version 2 of the smart tachograph incorporates new functionalities for the purpose of enforcement of the EU legislation on cabotage and posting of workers, such as the recording of border crossings or the detection of the position of the vehicle when a load/unload operation is being carried out. Additional information related to the activity of the driver can be transmitted to enforcement authorities through the short-range communication channel.
Smart tachograph version 2 also enhances the anti-tampering resistance of the current tachograph by means of new features, such as its capacity to authenticate satellite signals or the fitting of an internal sensor which is independent from the external motion sensor.
The smart tachograph version 2 is fitted in newly-registered vehicles since 21 August 2023, and is being retrofitted in vehicles engaged in international road transport operations by August 2025 at the latest (by 31 December 2024 for vehicles equipped with an analogue or digital non-smart tachograph, and by 18 August 2025 for vehicles equipped with a smart tachograph version 1). In addition, as of 1 July 2026, vehicles above 2.5 tons in international road transport or cabotage operations will be equipped with a smart tachograph version 2.
Detailed questions on the implementation of the recording equipment can be addressed to the dt-helpdesk
jrc [dot] ec [dot] europa [dot] eu (Helpdesk on Digital Tachograph).
Future improvements
Following the adoption of Regulation (EU) 2024/1258, the Commission is required to adopt, by 23 November 2025, technical specifications for the purpose of recording and storing data relating to the occasional transport of passengers.
Related documents
Legislation
Regulation (EU) No 2016/799 laying down requirements for the construction, testing, installation, operation and repair of tachographs and their components (Consolidated version 26/02/2020)
Reports
Other relevant documents
Smart tachograph version 2: VU, Remote HMI specification & Transport protocol for ITS
Links
Euro Côntrole Route - Group of national road control authorities collaborating to improve the quality of enforcement
The Confederation of Organisations in Road Transport Enforcement (CORTE)