One of the key elements of international transport is equipping vehicles with tachographs. These devices ensure the recording of drivers’ working time, routes taken and vehicle speed. In the article ‘Will second-generation tachographs soon be mandatory?’ we describe in detail what tachographs are and what they are used for. It also discusses the first information on the replacement of tachographs in older and newly registered vehicles. Now the General Inspectorate of Road Transport is providing new information on the obligation to update tachographs.

According to the General Inspectorate of Road Transport, vehicles registered before 21 August 2023 that will be used for international road transport in other EU member states must be equipped with the latest tachographs by 31 December 2024 or 18 August 2025 at the latest.

The replacement of tachographs with smart tachograph version two must take place by:

31 December 2024 – for first generation analogue or digital tachographs (installed in vehicles registered by 14 June 2019),

18 August 2025 – for first version smart tachographs (installed in vehicles registered from 15 June 2019 to 20 August 2023).

You can find the entire article from the General Traffic Inspectorate at this link: Chief Road Transport Inspectorate announces mandatory replacement of tachographs..

Second-generation smart tachographs are state-of-the-art devices that introduce significant changes to the monitoring of drivers’ work and the driving parameters of heavy goods vehicles. As part of the implementation of the Mobility Package, the new tachographs are intended not only to harmonise the requirements for hauliers in the European Union, but also to increase road safety. It is worth looking at what differences there are between the second version tachographs and their earlier models.

1. Data flow
   One of the key improvements is the significant increase in data flow. The first generation of tachographs only allowed manual downloading of data, which involved a lengthy process of collecting information. The new devices use DSRC (Dedicated Short Range Communications) technology, which allows data to be transmitted remotely to central systems. This makes it possible to monitor driver activity quickly and accurately and to react immediately to any anomalies, such as record manipulation.

2. Addition of GPS functionality
   Another significant improvement is the addition of a GPS function, which was absent in older versions. The new tachographs automatically record border crossings and suggest the current country to the driver. This in turn allows for more precise documentation of working time and vehicle location, which is crucial for compliance with regulations.

3. Process optimisation
   It is also important to note the improvement in the way data on logistics operations are entered. In previous versions, this process was complex and time-consuming. The second-generation tachographs have introduced modern menus. This makes it easier to label operations such as loading and unloading, which speeds up and simplifies data entry into the system.

4. Integration
   Integration with transport systems is another area that has improved significantly. In the first version, the tachographs did not have the possibility to integrate with other systems, which limited the efficiency of data management. The new devices allow integration with external transport systems via Bluetooth. This allows for better data management and synchronisation of operations in transport fleets.

Upgrading to newer models of tachographs brings a number of benefits that are crucial to the operation of transport in Europe. Among the most important aspects, we can highlight the integration of the European transport market, ensuring consistency of regulations in the various countries of the European Union. Equally important are issues relating to safety, increased competitiveness and positive environmental impact.

The introduction of the new tachographs, which are compatible with the Mobility Package, has made it possible to harmonise regulations on drivers’ working time in the various countries of the European Union. The transmission of data has made the monitoring of compliance with the regulations more efficient, reducing the risk of irregularities and fraud in the transport industry.

The new tachograph model has had a significant impact on the competitiveness of the European transport sector. Technological changes have enabled hauliers to better manage their fleets and optimize their routes. This in turn translates into savings in fuel, time and emissions.

Thanks to the remote transmission of data and the recording of incidents, such as border crossings, second-generation tachographs have contributed to increased road safety. Control services can react quickly to possible infringements, reducing the risk of accidents and improving the overall situation on European roads.