At the end of February, the transitional period ended during which enforcement authorities in EU countries refrained from issuing fines for the absence of a Smart Tacho 2.0 in vehicles required to undergo a device replacement.
Since the beginning of March, carriers that have not managed to replace their tachographs and continue to operate internationally have been subject to sanctions.
The first reports of a fine for this offence appeared in the Italian media. On 1 March, police in Bari (in the Apulia region of southern Italy) fined a Bulgarian driver €866 for conducting international transport in a vehicle equipped with a first-generation tachograph. The driver was also given 10 penalty points and had their driving licence suspended for three months.
Up to €30,000 Fine
The harshest penalty for this offence applies in France, where it is punishable by a fine of €30,000 and up to one year in prison. The vehicle is impounded by the authorities until the issue is resolved.
In Spain, the fine is €2,001, and the vehicle may be immobilised until the device is replaced. In Portugal, the fine can reach up to €6,000, while in Germany, it amounts to €1,500.
In Italy, the fine for not having a Smart Tacho 2.0 ranges from €866 to €3,464. The driver’s licence may also be suspended for up to three months. The owner of the truck may receive a fine ranging from €831 to €3,328.
In Lithuania, the fine for the driver ranges from €350 to €600, while the legal person or entity responsible may face a fine of €900 to €1,700. Moreover, the vehicle cannot be driven further until the tachograph is replaced and its technical condition is verified.
In the UK, the penalty for not having a Smart Tacho 2.0 is a fine of £300. In Ireland, the summary fine for this offence can be €5,000. Additionally, this offence is punishable by imprisonment for up to six months. Furthermore, Irish RSA transport officers can require the driver or haulier to transport the vehicle (or arrange for its transport) to a workshop for a tachograph inspection and compliance check.
In Poland, failing to install a smart tachograph is also heavily penalised. This offence carries an administrative fine of PLN 12,000 ( approx €2,870: PLN 10,000 for the transport company and PLN 2,000 for the transport manager). Additionally, if the required tachograph is missing, authorities will retain the vehicle’s registration certificate and issue a temporary permit for use for up to seven days. After this period, if the technical requirements are not met, the vehicle will no longer be allowed to operate. The Chief Inspectorate of Road Transport emphasises that failure to replace the tachograph in due time may also be considered as part of a good reputation test.