Under the new rules, which will apply from 21 August 2023 to 18 August 2025, no penalties or fines will be imposed on vehicles that do not have the required second-generation smart tachograph, provided they are first registered by 31 December 2023 and are fitted with a version 1 smart tachograph at that time.
However, there are some requirements that hauliers need to be aware of:
- The new smart tachographs must be installed in all new vehicles registered from 21 August 2023.
- The old smart tachographs (version 1) will remain valid until 18 August 2025.
- Hauliers are advised to replace old smart tachographs with new ones as soon as possible.
The Swedish transport association, Transportföretagen, welcomed the decision, saying it would help reduce stress and uncertainty for transport companies. However, they also noted that the decision will pose a challenge for Swedish trucks and buses travelling across the border, as other Nordic countries have not extended their grace periods in the same way.
The Swedish Transport Administration has recommended that anyone who has received a smart tachograph version 1 in their new vehicle should replace it with version 2 as soon as possible. This is to avoid the risk of another shortage situation or lack of time at workshops when everyone wants to change the tachograph at the same time in August 2025.
The new rules follow a recommendation from the European Commission. The Commission said that the shortage of tachographs was caused by several factors, including a global shortage of semiconductors and increased demand for vehicles.
The Commission also said that the new rules would help ensure a smooth and efficient transition to the new tachographs.