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A Key Part of the EU Mobility Package

Since August 2023, all newly registered trucks in the EU must be equipped with the Smart Tachograph 2.0 — a device introduced under the Mobility Package I. The goal is to balance drivers’ social rights, fair competition in the single market, and road safety.

The new tachographs record border crossings, loading and unloading operations, include a software update module, and have anti-tampering protections. They also connect to remote detection systems, allowing authorities to conduct random checks without stopping vehicles.

While these innovations aim to make law enforcement more effective, one question remains: will they truly level the playing field across EU countries, where control practices often vary?

Timeline of Changes – A Revolution Unfolding in Stages

The installation of the new tachographs became mandatory for trucks registered from August 2023. Older vehicles have a transition period:

  • Until December 2024 for analog or early digital devices,

  • Until August 2025 for first-generation smart tachographs.

Transport operators therefore had about two years to adapt — roughly matching the typical inspection cycle — which was meant to ease the transition. Still, the financial burden remains significant, covering both purchase and installation.

The next step of modernization will affect light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes. Starting July 2026, they too will need smart tachographs if used for international transport. Their drivers will also be subject to EU rules on driving and rest times.

The Legislator’s Vision vs. Market Realities

From the EU’s perspective, the initiative is coherent and ambitious: unified devices, standardized data formats, and easier control of driving hours and cabotage operations. In theory, it should help eliminate the “grey zones” in transport — cases where companies skirt rules on posting of workers or driving time limits.

In practice, however, enforcement remains uneven across member states. Countries like Germany or France, with well-developed control systems, will likely use the new tools more rigorously than those with limited administrative capacity. The risk is that instead of achieving full harmonization, the EU will end up with a system where the same laws are applied differently.

Moreover, the cost-benefit ratio of this reform is uncertain. Modernizing tachographs across the EU’s entire fleet could cost hundreds of millions of euros. Unless support mechanisms are introduced, small and medium-sized transport companies — often operating with minimal profit margins — could struggle to cope financially.

Drivers – Protected or Monitored?

Officially, the Smart Tachograph 2.0 is meant to protect drivers from excessive workloads and unfair treatment. Automatic recording of borders and loading points should make data manipulation harder and improve compliance.

But many drivers fear that, instead of empowerment, this reform introduces constant surveillance. Every step of their workday can now be tracked and reviewed by authorities. This raises a crucial question: where is the balance between social protection and privacy?

The fact that tachograph data might be stored and analyzed under different national jurisdictions adds another layer of concern — namely, the risk of data misuse or inconsistent privacy safeguards.

Remote Control – Efficiency vs. Equal Treatment

Perhaps the biggest innovation of the Smart Tachograph 2.0 is its ability to transmit data remotely to enforcement authorities. In theory, this should increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary roadside stops.

However, there’s a flip side: remote access could lead to selective enforcement, with some countries or market segments checked more frequently than others.

This raises a broader question — will digital tools truly promote fairness, or might they reinforce existing inequalities between transport operators from different EU countries? Without full transparency about the algorithms used in remote checks, the principle of equal treatment in the single market could be undermined.

2026 and Beyond – The Final Step or a New Debate?

Extending the tachograph obligation to light commercial vehicles from July 2026 will bring oversight to a segment that has so far been less regulated. On paper, this seems logical: small vans often compete directly with larger trucks.

Yet for many small companies, this could become a barrier to market entry, leading to greater industry consolidation.

Finally, there’s the question of technology itself. While the new tachographs are designed to resist tampering, creative workarounds have always emerged quickly. It’s unlikely that version 2.0 will be the final word.

The future likely lies in fully digital control systems, integrated with vehicle telematics and EU-wide data networks. This might make compliance easier — but also means the debate about freedom, privacy, and fairness in transport is far from over.

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