Tachograph retrofit requirements for vehicles used on international journeys
A requirement for the replacement of analogue and digital tachographs with smart tachograph 2’s (“the retrofit requirement”) for UK and EU-based goods vehicles engaged in international transports came into effect on 31 December 2024 further to the UK/EU Trade and Co-operation Agreement.
The next implementation date is the 1 July 2026, by which many goods vehicles over 2500kg used for hire and reward on international journeys must have a smart tachograph 2 installed and used.
The retrofit requirement applies to all goods vehicles which are in scope of tachograph requirements, and which operate internationally. The date a vehicle needs to comply depends on the type of tachograph fitted and the vehicle type.
If you only carry out journeys in the UK, vehicles can still use the original analogue, digital or smart version of tachograph fitted.
The following table provides a summary of key dates the changes come into effect for each vehicle type.
| Vehicle Type | Date change comes into effect | Action |
| In scope goods vehicles fitted with an analogue or digital (not smart) tachograph which are used on international journeys | 31 December 2024 | Vehicles must have a smart tachograph 2 fitted. |
| In scope goods vehicles fitted with a smart tachograph version 1 which are used on international journeys | 19 August 2025 | Vehicles must have a smart tachograph 2 fitted. |
| Vehicles used for transporting goods for hire or reward on international journeys, which are over 2500kg but not over 3500kg | 1 July 2026 | Vehicles must have a smart tachograph 2 fitted except if the journey is for the driver/company’s own account and driving is not the main activity of driver. |
If you require any guidance on retrofitting, please contact an Approved tachograph Centre.
Goods vehicles which cross NI or ROI without loading or unloading
The retrofit requirement will not be enforced before 30 June 2026 by the UK authorities for vehicles registered in the Republic of Ireland which cross Northern Ireland without loading or unloading on journeys between two points in the Republic. After that date, enforcement will commence as normal.
If a relevant vehicle transports a load between the UK and the Republic of Ireland the retrofit requirement applies from the appropriate implementation date, as shown in the table above.
PSVs
PSVs on international journeys to and from the UK, including involving the EU, are subject to AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules and fall outside the scope of the retrofit requirement.