Road-User Charging Brussels 2024 sponsor Continental has called for existing European vehicles over 3.5 tons (3.17 tonnes) to be retrofitted with the smart tachograph (2nd version) by 31 December 2024 – the deadline set in the EU Mobility Package.
The deadline only affects vehicles that are used in international transport with analog or digital tachographs of the first generation that are used in cross-border traffic.
These vehicles must be converted to the new smart tachograph of the second generation and second version by December 31, 2024.
By 18 August 2025, vehicles in international traffic with a gross vehicle weight of more than 3.5 tons and a smart tachograph of the first version must be retrofitted with a smart tachograph of the second version.
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Whilst by 1 July 2026, light commercial vehicles and vans in cross-border traffic with a permissible maximum weight of more than 2.5 tons must also be equipped with second-generation smart tachographs, such as the VDO DTCO 4.1 or its successor release.
This means that, for the first time, drivers of smaller commercial vehicles must also record their driving and rest times.
Continental also states that in the lead up to the deadline, workshops capable of retrofitting vehicles are being booked up.
Fleets will have to take vehicles that have not been retrofitted off the road or operate them only nationally from January 1, 2025, until the DTCO 4.1 can be retrofitted if they miss the deadline.
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