From July 1, 2026, significant regulatory changes will come into force in the road transport industry concerning vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) exceeding 2.5 tonnes but not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. The new rules primarily affect vans and light commercial vehicles used for international hire-and-reward freight transport.

This is an important development for many transport companies that have so far operated light goods vehicles without the obligation to install tachographs. Under the new regulations, certain vans will be required to be equipped with second-generation smart tachographs, and drivers will need to comply with EU driving time, break, and rest period regulations in the same way as heavy goods vehicle (HGV) drivers.

Who Will Be Affected by the New Regulations?

The new obligation applies to vehicles or vehicle combinations with a GVWR exceeding 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes when used for commercial international road freight transport.

In practice, this means that companies carrying goods for hire or reward across international borders with such vehicles will need to ensure that approved tachographs are installed and that driver working time is properly monitored and recorded.

Importantly, the obligation does not depend on the vehicle’s date of first registration. Existing vehicles already operating in transport fleets will also be subject to the new requirements.

Will Tachographs Be Required for Domestic Transport?

No. The new regulations apply to international transport operations and cabotage activities.

Light commercial vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes used exclusively for domestic transport within a single country will not be required to install tachographs under these rules.

This distinction is crucial because not every van will automatically fall under the tachograph requirement. The determining factor is the nature of the transport operation being performed.

Which Vehicles May Be Exempt?

Certain vehicles may be exempt from the requirement, including those used for own-account transport where the carriage of goods is not performed for commercial gain and driving is not the driver’s primary occupation.

However, every situation should be assessed individually. Misinterpreting the regulations may result in penalties during roadside inspections or company compliance audits.

Which Tachograph Must Be Installed?

Vehicles covered by the new legislation will be required to use a second-generation smart tachograph (Smart Tachograph Version 2 – G2V2), compliant with the latest European Union standards.

Installation must be carried out by an authorized tachograph workshop. The device must be properly calibrated, sealed, and certified.

However, installing the tachograph is only part of the compliance process. Transport operators must also implement procedures for data management, driver training, and regular downloading and storage of tachograph records.

Driver Card – What Should Drivers Know?

Every driver operating a vehicle subject to tachograph regulations must hold a valid driver card.

Applications should be submitted well in advance to avoid operational disruptions once the regulations become mandatory.

Failure to possess a valid driver card, incorrect use of the tachograph, or insufficient knowledge of its operation may lead to infringements for which liability can fall on the driver, the transport operator, or the transport manager.

New Compliance Obligations for Transport Companies

The introduction of tachographs in light commercial vehicles also creates additional administrative responsibilities.

Transport operators will be required to regularly download data from both the tachograph unit and the driver card.

As a general rule:

• Tachograph data must be downloaded at least every 90 days.
• Driver card data must be downloaded at least every 28 days.

The records must then be securely archived for the legally required retention period.

For many operators, this will mean implementing compliance procedures similar to those already used in heavy goods transport operations involving vehicles above 3.5 tonnes GVWR.

Driving Times, Breaks and Rest Periods

Drivers of vans covered by the new regulations will be required to comply with EU rules governing driving hours, breaks, and rest periods.

Key requirements include:

• A maximum daily driving time of 9 hours, extendable to 10 hours twice per week.
• A mandatory 45-minute break after a maximum of 4.5 hours of driving.
• A standard daily rest period of at least 11 hours.
• Compliance with weekly rest period regulations.

For transport companies that have traditionally planned van operations with greater flexibility, these requirements represent a significant operational change.

From July 1, 2026, international freight transport using vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes GVWR will require much tighter control of driver working hours and route scheduling.

Will Vans Require Speed Limiters?

No.

The new legislation concerns tachograph requirements only and does not introduce an obligation to install speed limiters in vans up to 3.5 tonnes GVWR.

Speed limiter requirements continue to apply primarily to heavy goods vehicles and buses.

As a result, a van engaged in international freight transport may be required to carry a tachograph while remaining exempt from speed limiter regulations.

Why Is Early Preparation Important?

Although the regulations become applicable on July 1, 2026, transport companies should begin preparations well in advance.

Installing tachographs, obtaining driver cards, training personnel, implementing compliance procedures, and configuring data management systems can be time-consuming.

Companies that postpone preparations until the last minute may encounter challenges such as:

• Limited availability of tachograph installation appointments.
• Delays in driver card issuance.
• Insufficient driver training.
• Operational disruptions and compliance risks.

What Should Transport Operators Do Now?

Transport operators should begin by reviewing their fleet to identify vehicles that will fall under the new regulations.

A structured implementation plan should then be developed, covering:

• Tachograph installation.
• Driver card applications.
• Driver training programs.
• Documentation review.
• Tachograph data download procedures.
• Secure data archiving processes.

This is also an ideal time to reassess international route planning strategies, as vehicles covered by the regulations will need to operate under rules similar to those governing heavy goods vehicles.

Conclusion

The new tachograph requirements for vans represent one of the most significant regulatory changes affecting companies engaged in international road freight transport with light commercial vehicles.

From July 1, 2026, certain vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 2.5 tonnes and up to 3.5 tonnes will be required to use second-generation smart tachographs.

The changes involve far more than simply installing a device. Transport operators must also address driver hours compliance, data management, record retention, staff training, and transport planning.

Companies that prepare early will minimize the risk of penalties, operational disruptions, and compliance issues. Now is the right time to determine whether your fleet will be affected and to begin planning the necessary steps to ensure full compliance with the new regulations.