The deadline has passed for coaches with version 1 smart tachographs and which are used internationally to be retrofitted to “full” smart tachograph 2.
The 19 August deadline was the latest in a series of such affecting PSVs engaged in international journeys to or from the EU.
PSVs and HGVs with non-smart tachographs had been required to have been retrofitted with version 2 as of 31 December 2024.
However, those which already had the earlier version had been given extra time, according to EU Mobility Package 1 regulations.
Since August 2023, smart tachograph version 2 technology, which uses Global Navigation Satellite System to record every border crossing, has been fitted to all new in-scope vehicles by law.
Among several other enhancements, it uses a Dedicated Short Range Communication interface, it allows enforcement officers to check tachograph data remotely even if the vehicle is moving. It also employs improved anti-tampering measures.
According to retrofitters and suppliers Stoneridge, it “enhances monitoring of drivers’ rest periods and driving times, preventing fatigue and improving road safety”. It says its equipment “reduces the likelihood of infringements” and is fully compatible with all fleet management systems.
For more information, see the DVSA’s guidelines issued in 2024.
