The countdown is on!

From 1 July 2026: Tachograph obligation for light commercial vehicles in cross-border commercial transport
    VDO-Tachograph-LCV_2

    Legal retrofit – Tachograph requirement for light commercial vehicles

    As of 1 July 2026, all light commercial vehicles (2.5 t–3.5 t) used in cross-border commercial transport must be equipped with the second-generation smart tachograph (from DTCO 4.1a) in accordance with the EU Mobility Package I.

    Non-compliance can lead to significant penalties — in Germany, for example, fines of up to €1,500 per inspection may apply, as well as vehicle immobilisation at border crossings, and even the withdrawal of transport authorisations. Don’t wait until the last minute – act now to keep your operations running smoothly!

    Who is affected by the new regulation?

    The obligation applies to all light commercial vehicles used for commercial purposes, where the permissible total weight of the vehicle including trailer or semi-trailer exceeds 2.5 tonnes, and which are used in cross-border freight transport or in cabotage operations – that is, domestic freight transport carried out by a foreign transport company without a registered office or branch in the country of operation.

    Regardless of weight, the tachograph requirement also continues to apply to vehicles designed or permanently equipped for the transport of more than nine persons (including the driver).

    ×

    Good to know

    Exemptions apply in certain cases – for example, for own-account transport, provided that driving is not the driver's main activity. For further information, please visit the VDO Portal at my.vdo.com or the European Commission’s official site:

    Find out more
    The VDO DTCO 4.1a tachograph including a data printout depicted from a side angle.

    About the Smart DTCO

    A smart tachograph is a digital onboard device that automatically and securely records driving and rest times, border crossings, loading and unloading activities, as well as precise GPS positions – protected against tampering.

    With the mandatory installation of smart tachographs in light commercial vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes, the new regulation ensures that smaller vehicles are held to the same standards of safety, fair competition, and driver protection that have long applied to heavy-duty trucks.

    More information on the DTCO
    ×

    WHAT FLEETS AND DRIVERS NEED TO KNOW NOW

    For businesses and fleet operators:

    • Installation and calibration of DTCO 4.1a or higher by a certified workshop
    • Activation of the company lock with the company card
    • Route planning in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 561/2006 Cabotage Regulation
    • Complete recording and archiving of driving times and rest periods
    • Regular download of vehicle and driver data to a suitable archiving system
    • Minimum storage of this data for twelve months
    • Training for drivers on the correct use of the device
    • Compliance with international regulations on posting, cabotage and working hours

    For drivers:

    • Application for and carrying of a valid driver card
    • Daily recording of driving times and rest periods as well as working hours and stand-by duties
    • Manual entry of activities not automatically recorded
    • Support with the regular download of tachograph and driver card data
    • Cooperation during checks by national authorities
    • Compliance with EU regulations on working hours, cabotage rules
    • Regular checks of the tachograph function
    • Participation in training courses on safe and compliant use

    Driving and Rest Times at a Glance

    With the new tachograph requirement for light commercial vehicles (LCVs), the European social regulations now also apply to their use in commercial transport.

    Our PDF provides a clear visual overview of the legally prescribed driving and rest times – perfect for a quick and practical reference.

    Thumbnail-Overview-Driving-Rest-Times
    Find out more about driving and rest times
    ×

    All detailed information is available on the official website of the European Commission

    Visit the European Commission's website

    Why act now

    The number of vehicles affected is high and workshop appointments are becoming scarce. Only those who check, plan and train early can avoid bottlenecks and implement retrofitting without interrupting operations. At the same time, the new requirement offers an opportunity to digitize and sustainably improve your transport processes.

    • Plan the installation together with a certified workshop – including practical configuration

    • Familiarize yourself with the new requirements early and initiate all changes in a timely manner

    • Ensure that drivers are well versed in the use of the device and familiar with the new regulations by organizing trainings as soon as possible.
    Find a workshop now

    Download the VDO Guide for Light Commercial Vehicles now!
    ×
    VDO-Products

    What else you need for the mandatory data download

    In order to fulfil your compliance obligations for downloading and archiving the data from the tachograph and driver cards, you will need both the right hard- and software.

    VDO offers solutions for downloading, archiving and evaluating tachograph data:

    • DLK Smart Download Key: Facilitates fast downloading and easy archiving aby easily reading and saving data from DTCO tachographs and driver cards to be easily read and saved.
    • VDO Link (available soon): Plug & play solution that can be directly plugged into the front interface of tachograph data that makes tachograph data download even fully automatic. In addition, services such as Track & Trace are available to keep track of vehicle locations at all times.
    • VDO Fleet App: Enables mobile access to tachograph data - anytime, anywhere.
    • VDO Fleet Tachograph Management: Helps to comply with legal requirements, to optimize and automate the entire fleet management
    Discover the VDO products now!
    ×

    FAQ - Tachograph Requirements for Light Commercial Vehicles

    A smart tachograph (Generation 2/Version 2) is a tamper-proof digital device that automatically records driving and rest times, border crossings, loading and unloading activities, and precise GPS positions.

    With the new regulation, light commercial vehicles (2.5–3.5 t) are now also subject to tachograph requirements, ensuring they meet the same safety and driver protection standards as heavy-duty trucks.

    The device automatically implements the EU Regulation 561/2006. It logs mandatory driving, working, and rest periods and generates tamper-proof reports – helping you avoid penalties and stay legally compliant.

    1. Driver safety and protection: Regulated rest times reduce accident risks 
    2. Fair competition: Uniform rules prevent non-compliant operators from undercutting prices 
    3. Operational transparency: Real-time GPS and activity data improve route planning and reduce empty runs 
    4. Efficient administration: Automated downloads and violation alerts reduce back-office workload 

    Yes. Even a single cross-border commercial journey triggers the obligation. Every vehicle crossing the borders of the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland for commercial purposes must be compliant by the deadline. 

    Note: Certain exemptions apply and should be considered.

    For more information, please visit the VDO Portal at my.vdo.com or the European Commission’s website.

    Find out more

    Without a driver card, the smart tachograph cannot identify the driver, and records remain incomplete. 
    The company is still liable and may face fines – so it’s essential that drivers always carry and correctly insert their card.

    According to EU regulations, the following requirements will apply to light commercial vehicles in cross-border commercial transport as of 1 July 2026: 

    • Driver card data: must be downloaded at least every 28 calendar days 
    • Vehicle unit data: must be downloaded at least every 90 calendar days 

    Storage periods: 

    • Driver card data: at least 12 months 
    • Vehicle unit data: at least 24 months 

    The data must be securely stored, protected against unauthorized access, and made fully available to authorities during inspections. 

    With the VDO Fleet platform, these downloads can be automated, fast, secure, and audit-proof – so you stay fully compliant and avoid downtime. 

    To manage tachograph and driver data legally and efficiently, we recommend using a professional tachograph management platform, such as VDO Fleet. 

    Benefits include: 

    • Automated downloads of driver and vehicle data 
    • Early warnings for rule violations 
    • Reports and analytics for monitoring and documentation 
    • Secure data archiving in line with legal requirements 

    This reduces administrative workload and helps you meet all legal obligations reliably. 

    Recommended products Choose VDO for modern fleet management

    Side view of the VDO DCTO 4.1 - the second version of the intelligent tachograph - with running printout and labeling to meet all requirements of the EU Mobility Package I.

    DTCO 4.1a

    The 2nd version of the smart tachograph

    Find out more
    DTCO-Link-3-Hell-1

    VDO Link

    Find out more
    Screen-Products-(2)

    VDO Fleet App

    New Version Available - Now also for Drivers! 

    Find out more
    Two-part image of a fleet of vehicles, whose trucks merge into the computer screen of a fleet manager who performs her tasks easily and efficiently with the VDO Tachograph Management software.

    Tachograph Management

    Find out more

    Follow us

    Youtube

    About VDO

    Workshop Solutions

    Products

    VDO Magazine

    Support

    Legal Retrofit for Vans

    A Brand of AUMOVIO
    © AUMOVIO Aftermarket GmbH 2025