Although this is an isolated case, the number of detected infringements shows how important effective checks and enforcement of EU rules are. Carriers should remember the need to continuously monitor and improve compliance procedures and to educate drivers on the applicable regulations.
On 8 March 2026, police in Tyrol stopped a truck driven by a 52-year-old driver from Greece. An inspection carried out by the Landesverkehrsabteilung revealed 250 violations of driving and rest time regulations recorded in the digital tachograph and on the driver card. Most of the irregularities concerned exceeding the daily and weekly driving time limits, and the data analysis made it possible to reconstruct the full picture of the violations.
Misuse of the driver card and suspected manipulation
During the inspection, improper use of the driver card was also identified, raising suspicion of possible manipulation or falsification of tachograph records. Police pointed to potential offences: falsification of evidence and data falsification. The driver admitted to all identified irregularities.
Immediate action and consequences
In response to the violations, officers took several operational measures. The driver card used in breach of regulations was seized, and further driving was prohibited until the mandatory rest period had been taken. In addition, the driver was required to pay a deposit of more than €10,000 to secure potential administrative penalties.
At the same time, the case was referred for further proceedings: to the public prosecutor’s office in Innsbruck with a request to prosecute suspected data falsification, and to the relevant administrative authorities regarding breaches of EU rules on drivers’ working time.
