The van tachograph mandate (2.5-3.5t) - what it means for your fleet
What is changing
From July 2026, Regulation (EU) 165/2014 extends the tachograph obligation to light commercial vehicles (vans) of 2.5 to 3.5 tonnes engaged in international transport. This is the largest expansion of tachograph scope in decades.
Who is affected
The obligation applies to vehicles that:
- Have a mass between 2,500 and 3,500 kg
- Perform international road transport of goods
- Do not fall under the exemptions of Article 3 of Reg. 561/2006
Key sectors affected: courier services, food delivery, e-commerce last-mile, technical services, vehicle rental.
What it means in practice
- Equipment: Vehicles must be fitted with a second-generation digital tachograph (G2V2).
- Driver cards: Each driver needs a personal driver card.
- .DDD files: The fleet manager must download files from the driver card regularly (every 28 days) and the vehicle unit (every 90 days).
- Analysis: Files must be analysed for driving-time, break, and rest infringements.
- Archiving: Data must be retained for at least 12 months.
How TachoAnal helps
TachoAnal automates the entire process: file upload, regulation-cited infringement detection, driver e-signature, and a tamper-evident archive. Even if your fleet has never had a tachograph before, the transition can be simple.