Tachographs for vans from 2026: what is changing and does it apply to you?
Since 1 July 2026, new requirements for the use of tachographs in goods vehicles on international transport have been in force in the European Union.
What is changing?
Until now, tachograph requirements mainly applied to vehicles with a gross weight over 3.5 tonnes. From 1 July 2026 they also apply to vehicles with a gross weight over 2.5 tonnes when used for:
- publicinternational carriage of goods;
- publiccabotage operations in another EU member state.
This means that in many cases vans also need a tachograph and a record of driving and rest times.
Our vans are ready for trips across Europe
So that our customers can transport goods safely all over Europe, part of the bus4rent van fleet is equipped with tachographs that meet the new requirements.
If you are planning an international trip and a tachograph is required, we can provide a suitable vehicle:
When might a tachograph not be required?
It is important to know that a tachograph is not mandatory in every case. Exemptions may apply, for example:
person Private individuals
If the vehicle is used for non-commercial carriage of goods and its gross weight does not exceed 7.5 tonnes, tachograph requirements usually do not apply. For example:
- check_circlemoving to a new home;
- check_circletransporting furniture or household appliances for your own needs;
- check_circleother private transport without a commercial purpose.
domain Companies carrying their own goods
In certain cases a tachograph is also not required for own-account transport by companies with vehicles of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes, if all conditions set out in the regulations are met at the same time, including:
- check_circlethe transport is carried out for the company's own needs;
- check_circletransport is not the company's main activity;
- check_circledriving makes up less than 30% of the driver's working time per month.
info Each case must be assessed individually.
- EU Regulation (EC) No 561/2006 on driving times and rest periods in road transport. [eur-lex.europa.eu], [eur-lex.europa.eu]
- EU Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 on tachographs in road transport. [eur-lex.europa.eu], [eur-lex.europa.eu]
- European Labour Authority guidance on requirements for light commercial vehicles from 1 July 2026. [ela.europa.eu], [ela.europa.eu]