According to EU Regulation 2020/1054, from August 19, 2025, all heavy goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes registered after June 15, 2019, that perform international transport must be equipped with a second-generation smart tachograph, version 2 (G2V2). This is a result of the EU Mobility Package , which aims to improve driver performance and harmonize market conditions. Vehicles engaged solely in domestic transport are exempt from this requirement.
Don’t delay your visit to the workshop
European transport organizations and inspection authorities are urging transport companies to urgently plan for modernization, preferably during the next periodic inspections. The closer the deadline, the greater the risk of a shortage of available spaces in authorized workshops and delays resulting from limited equipment availability.
Up to 30,000 euro fine
The harshest penalties for not having a proper tachograph are in force in France – the carrier can be fined €30,000 , and the driver faces up to a year in prison . The vehicle is impounded by authorities until the irregularities are corrected.
In Spain, the fine is €2,001 , and the vehicle may be immobilized until the device is replaced. In Portugal, the fine can reach €6,000 , while in Germany, it can be €1,500.
In Italy, not having a smart-tacho 2.0 tachograph carries a fine ranging from €866 to €3,464 . The driver’s license may be suspended for up to 3 months, and the vehicle owner may be fined from €831 to €3,328.
In Lithuania, the driver will pay between €350 and €600 , and the legal person or entity responsible will pay between €900 and €1,700 . The vehicle cannot continue driving until the tachograph is replaced and its technical condition is verified.
In the UK, failure to have a required tachograph can result in a fine of £300, while in Ireland, it can result in a fine of up to €5,000 and a prison sentence of up to six months. Irish RSA inspectors can also require the driver or haulier to take the vehicle to a workshop to check the device’s compliance with regulations.
In Poland, the lack of a smart tachograph results in an administrative fine of PLN 12,000 – PLN 10,000 for the transport company and PLN 2,000 for the transport manager. Additionally, authorities will retain the vehicle’s registration certificate for up to seven days. After this period, if the technical requirements are not met, the vehicle will not be permitted to operate. The General Inspectorate of Road Transport (GITD) reminds that failure to replace the tachograph on time may also affect the carrier’s reputation.
New tachograph – mandatory, but not without flaws
The new devices, although mandatory, are not without problems. Carriers and experts – such as Inelo from the Eurowag Group – point out recurring errors: incorrect recording of driver activity, spontaneous card ejections, and false border crossings due to faulty GNSS signals.
Some difficulties can be minimized through software updates, proper installation, and the use of external antennas. Manufacturers have announced further improvements, including the implementation of OSNMA technology, which is expected to improve the quality of location data.
Further reading: This mistake could cost your haulage business €5,000. And Germany’s not messing around
Driver cards need to be replaced too?
Older G1 and G2V1 cards may not be fully compatible with new tachographs, particularly when it comes to automatic border crossing recording. This risk of data inconsistency can lead to unnecessary fines during roadside checks. In such cases, it is recommended to quickly send tachograph readings or manually complete the information.
Next stage – tachographs in buses
The next and final phase of changes in European transport involving tachographs is the mandatory installation of these devices in buses with a gross vehicle weight of 2.5 to 3.5 tons used in international road transport. This requirement will come into effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to both new and used vehicles. This means that within a year, transport companies will be required to monitor drivers’ working hours and comply with new regulations regarding driving and rest periods.
