EU MOBILITY PACKAGE I – How to comply with the law and avoid violations

The Mobility Package I

Better working conditions, equal competition conditions, and more safety on the roads are the goals of the Mobility Package I, the regulations of which have been implemented since August 2020.

Fairness and safety

We explain what is behind Mobility Package I and what it means for you. We will show you what you need to look out for in the future and how to remain legally compliant with the DTCO 4.0 and its successors DTCO 4.1 and 4.1a.

The most important information in one leaflet

Current legislative changes

Be in compliance with the law.

Since 02/02/2022: Obligation to enter the country symbol

It is mandatory to enter the country symbol after crossing a border since 02/02/2022. Drivers must make the entry on the tachograph at the first available stop (EU 165/2014). Find out how to do this without losing time in our video.

Since 02/21/2022: Obligation to return to the place of establishment

Since 02/21/2022, companies are obliged to return vehicles that have been used in international freight transport to an operating site in Germany no later than eight weeks after leaving Germany. (EC 1072/2009) This also applies to vehicles rented abroad and used by the company's branch in Germany.

Since 02/21/2022: 4-day suspension after cabotage

Also, since 02/21/2022, cabotage operations are prohibited for four days after the end of authorised cabotage transport operations in an EU member state. The period starts from the day following the last cabotage journey. (EC 1071/2009)

Since 02/21/2022: Applications for community licenses for vehicles over 2.5 t

Companies operating in international freight transport will not need a community license for vehicles weighing more than 2.5 tonnes until 05/21/2022. However, since 02/21/2022, you can already submit corresponding applications to the authorities under national law. (EU 1072/2009) For purely domestic transports, a license is required only from a total mass of 3.5 tonnes.

All information on the new cabotage regulations, the associated facilitations for driving personnel and the professional access requirements are available in our whitepaper on EU Mobility Package I:

Go to Whitepaper

COMPULSORY RETROFITTING: WHICH TACHOGRAPH AND FROM WHEN?

Timeline EU Mobility Package I: Details on the Compulsory Retrofitting

All information regarding legal deadlines are subject to change without notice.

The deadlines in chronological order:

August 21, 2023: DTCO 4.1 IN NEW VEHICLES

New vehicles (first registrations) of > 3.5 t* must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1).

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

December 31, 2024 DTCO 1X-3X REPLACED BY THE DTCO 4.1

All vehicles > 3.5 t* that still use a 1^st-generation analogue or digital tachograph (e.g. DTCO 1.x-3.x) and travel across borders must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1).

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

August 19, 2025: The DTCO 4.0 is replaced by the DTCO 4.1/4.1a

All vehicles > 3.5 t* that travel across borders must be equipped with a version 2 smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.1) by August 19, 2025. This means that even the vehicles equipped with a 1^st-generation version of the smart tachograph (e.g. DTCO 4.0) must also be retrofitted.

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

July 1, 2026**: DTCO 4.1a FOR >2.5 t

All vehicles > 2.5 t* in international freight transport must be equipped with the advanced smart tachograph (DTCO 4.1a).

* Vehicles under the definitions to which the new regulations apply.

** These deadlines depend on the respective entry into force of the EU regulations or the duration of the legislative process.

THE NEXT DEADLINE FOR THE TACHOGRAPH RETROFIT IS COMING!

The retrofit of the European commercial vehicle fleet to the second version of the smart tachograph (DTCO® 4.1/4.1a) as stipulated in the EU Mobility Package is in full swing. And the next deadline is already looming: vehicles over 3.5 tons that are already equipped with a first-generation smart tachograph (e.g., DTCO® 4.0 or 4.0e) must be converted to the latest version by August 19, 2025, at the latest, if they are used for cross-border transport.

Those who ignore the deadlines risk heavy fines. In Germany, fines of up to € 1,500 can be imposed after the respective retrofitting deadline has expired – in the Netherlands, the penalty can be as high as € 4,400. Thanks to modern DSRC-RP technology, violations can also be detected remotely by the control authorities without vehicles having to be stopped.

So don't wait too long! With 3.5 million trucks in Germany alone, workshop appointments could become scarce the closer you get to the deadline. Incidentally, retrofitting is particularly efficient as part of the regular tachograph inspection.

Make an appointment now at a VDO partner workshop and avoid unnecessary costs, unpleasant fines and long downtimes!

More information in the flyer

Retrofit to Smart Tachograph (V2) DTCO 4.1a

Here you can see at a glance which tachograph version must be replaced by the smart tachograph of the second version by which deadline, including an explanation on how you can determine the respective model:

Infographic explaining the retrofit deadlines for different tachograph models

The driver of a fleet inserts a download key into the slot of his tachograph. The driver's door is open so that you can look into the truck from street level.

EXTENDED TACHOGRAPH DUTY Also > 2.5-tonne vehicles in the future

From July 1, 2026, the tachograph requirement will also apply to vehicles used in international commercial transport, the maximum permissible mass of which exceeds 2.5 tonnes, including trailers or semi-trailers.

Craftspeople with vehicles or vehicle combinations with a maximum permissible mass not exceeding 7.5 tonnes who transport their equipment or deliver their products within a radius of 100 km from their business location will be exempt from this regulation. Vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used for non-commercial freight transportation are also exempt. Driving must not be the main occupation of the person who is driving the vehicle.

Front view of the VDO DTCO 4.1 with printout in progress. A European flag with a barrier symbol shows that this device meets all the requirements of the EU Mobility Package I.

THE DTCO 4.1/4.1a The new generation of smart tachographs

The new DTCO 4.1/4.1a detects and stores a vehicle’s border crossings. The device also logs the position and time during loading and unloading and records this information together with driver and vehicle data for at least as long as the new regulation requires it. The new tachograph version provides reliable data even more securely for more efficient traffic and trade monitoring.

Unlike its predecessor, the DTCO 4.1/4.1a uses the European Galileo signal (OSNMA), one of the first industrial applications to do so. OSNMA stands for Open Service Navigation Message Authentication. It is a technique that adds cryptographic protection to navigation messages to provide the best possible protection against cyber attacks.

VDO Fleet WILL SUPPORT YOU WITH THE MOBILITY PACKAGE

VDO Fleet Services provide competent support for fleet companies and fleet management providers during the introduction of the Mobility Package I. The cloud solution also ensures security when current and future regulations are being implemented and adhered to.
This is why Continental’s VDO brand is focusing on the best possible solutions for tomorrow and is already developing more services that will make it easier for fleet managers to monitor and comply with the new rules within the Mobility Package I.

Testimonial at Maintrans

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The hand of a fleet employee presses a button on the VDO DTCO 4.1. In the background, other trucks in the fleet can be seen through the windshield.

FURTHER INFORMATION

You will find more information here:

Smart Tachograph Version 2

EU MOBILITY PACKAGE I – How to comply with the law and avoid violations