Tachograph Rules for International Journeys: What You Need to Know
Changes arising from the UK/EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement mean that new tachograph rules apply to many vehicles used on international journeys between the UK and the EU. The changes affect vehicles used for carrying goods including vans, light goods vehicles, and HGVs, and the date the changes apply will depend on the vehicle type.
If you operate vehicles internationally—even occasionally—you should check now whether these rules apply to you.
Who Is Affected?
You may be affected if you use a vehicle that:
- is used to carry goods commercially,
- is UK ‑ or EU‑based, and
- undertakes international journeys (including between the UK and EU).
The rules apply only to international operations. Vehicles used solely within the UK are treated differently (see below).
Goods vehicles between 2,501kg and 3,500kg (including vans)
What’s changing?
From 1 July 2026, vehicles must be fitted with a Smart Tachograph Version 2 if they:
- have a maximum permissible mass (including any trailer) over 2,500kg but not over 3,500kg, and
- are used on international journeys carrying goods.
This brings many vans, small goods vehicles and other vehicles used to carry goods on international journeys into scope of:
- tachograph requirements, and
- drivers’ hours rules.
Exemptions
Exemptions apply where both:
- the transport of goods is for own account, and
- driving is not the driver’s main activity.
Vehicles which are being used for non-commercial carriage of goods are also exempt.
‘Non-commercial carriage’ means any carriage by road, other than carriage for hire or reward or on own account, for which no direct or indirect remuneration is received and which does not directly or indirectly generate any income for the driver of the vehicle or for others, and which is not linked to professional or commercial activity.
Other exemptions and national derogations may also apply.
The full list is set out in Section 1.1 of Rules on Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs – Goods Vehicles (November 2020).
What Owners or Users Need to Do
Owners or users of in‑scope vehicles must:
- Install and calibrate a Smart Tachograph 2 using an approved tachograph centre
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/approved-tachograph-centres
- Ensure drivers have a digital tachograph driver card - Digital tachographs | nidirect
- Ensure drivers are properly trained and competent in using tachographs
- Apply for and use a company tachograph card - Digital tachograph company cards | nidirect
- Download vehicle and driver card data at required intervals
- Monitor drivers’ hours and compliance
- Ensure driver compliance with the working time rules
The Guide on Drivers’ Hours for goods vehicles includes more information on how to comply with the both drivers’ hours and working time rules: Rules on Drivers’ Hours and Tachographs – Goods Vehicles (November 2020).
Failure to meet these requirements may result in enforcement action.
What Drivers Need to Know
Once a driver undertakes an in‑scope international journey, they must be able to produce a complete record covering the previous 56 days, including:
- driving time
- other work
- breaks
- rest periods
- leave
Transitional enforcement
During the initial implementation:
- enforcement agencies will only expect records from 1 July 2026 onwards,
provided the driver only drives vehicles under 3500kg.
Retrofit requirements for vehicles Over 3,500kg (HGVs)
Since 31 December 2024, goods vehicles over 3,500kg used on international journeys must have replaced:
- analogue tachographs, and
- older digital tachographs
with a Smart Tachograph Version 2.
The following table provides a summary of the key dates the changes apply from for each vehicle type.
Key Implementation Dates
| Vehicle type | Date | Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| In scope goods vehicles fitted with analogue or digital (non‑smart) tachographs used internationally | 31 December 2024 | Vehicles must have smart tachograph 2 fitted |
| In scope goods vehicles with smart tachograph version 1 used internationally | 19 August 2025 | Vehicles must have smart tachograph 2 fitted |
| Vehicles used for transporting goods on international journeys, which are over 2,500kg but not over 3,500kg | 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. Also not required if used non commercially or otherwise exempt. |
UK‑Only Journeys
If your vehicles operate only within the UK and do not undertake international journeys, you may continue to use:
- analogue tachographs,
- digital tachographs, or
- existing smart tachographs
already fitted to the vehicle.
Vehicles with a maximum permissible mass of 3,500kg or less (including any trailer) do not need a tachograph if being used within the UK.
Goods vehicles which cross NI or ROI without loading or unloading
- The retrofit requirement will be enforced from 1 July 2026 for Republic of Ireland‑registered vehicles that cross Northern Ireland without loading or unloading, when travelling between two points in the Republic of Ireland.
- If a vehicle transports goods between the UK and the Republic of Ireland, the retrofit requirement applies from the relevant implementation date shown in the table above.
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs)
Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) used on international journeys:
- are subject to AETR drivers’ hours and tachograph rules, and
- do not fall within the smart tachograph requirements described above.