Tachograph retrofit requirements for vehicles used on international journeys

 

 Note that the European Commission has recommended that Member States reciprocate the pause on enforcement for all goods vehicles. The pause will apply to UK goods vehicles when in the Republic of Ireland.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.

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 currently fitted with an analogue or digital (not smart) tachograph which are used on international journeys	31 December 2024	These will need to be replaced with a smart tachograph version 2.
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. Smart version 1 tachographs must be replaced.
Goods vehicles over 2500kg for hire and reward on international journeys	1 July 2026	Must be fitted with a smart tachograph version 2. Doesn’t apply if journey is for the driver/company’s own account and not 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 31 March 2025 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. Likewise, there will be no enforcement before 31 March 2025 by the authorities in the Republic of Ireland for vehicles registered in the UK which cross the Republic of Ireland without loading or unloading on journeys between two points in the UK (for example two points in Northern Ireland or between Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

If a relevant vehicle transports a load between the UK and the Republic of Ireland the retrofit requirement applies from 31 December 2024.

Temporary pause on enforcement - Smart Tachograph version 2

To comply with drivers’ hours rules, drivers of HGVs over 3.5 tonnes being used for international journeys between the UK and EU must have a smart tachograph 2 fitted by 31 December 2024 – except where a vehicle has already been fitted with a smart tachograph 1.

DfI are still encouraging drivers to comply; however, sanctions or penalties will not be applied on the roadside before 28 February 2025 for those who have not yet undertaken the tachograph refit.

If you only carry out journeys in the UK, vehicles can still use the original analogue, digital or smart version of tachograph fitted.

The below table provides a summary of key dates on a temporary pause on enforcement of the requirement to fit the new smart tachograph 2. Note that the European Commission has recommended that Member States reciprocate the pause on enforcement for all goods vehicles. The pause will apply to UK goods vehicles when in the Republic of Ireland.

Vehicle Type	Journey Type	Enforcement Pause Date
UK/ROI Goods Vehicles	Crossing and re-crossing UK/Ireland border only for transit without loading or unloading	Until 31 March 2025
All Goods Vehicles	International - within the EU	Until 28 February 2025

PSVs

PSVs on international journeys to and from the UK, including involving the EU, should be subject to AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules. 

When UK legislation has been amended to require PSVs used on international journeys between the UK and EU, to come under scope of the AETR rules, then the retrofitting dates for the smart tachograph 2 would no longer apply to these vehicles.  Therefore, until the legislation is amended DVA and DVSA will not be enforcing the requirement to retrofit the smart tachograph 2 into PSVs.