Tachograph
A tachograph is a recording device fitted to trucks and buses that logs a driver's driving time, breaks, rest periods and other work, together with the vehicle's speed and distance, so that EU driving-time rules can be enforced.
What is Tachograph?
In the EU, tachographs are required by Regulation (EU) 165/2014 for vehicles that fall under the driving and rest time rules of Regulation 561/2006 — in practice goods vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. Since 1 July 2026 the obligation also covers light commercial vehicles over 2.5 tonnes used for international transport or cabotage. The system has two parts: a vehicle unit in the cab and a personal driver card that each driver inserts at the start of a shift.
What does a tachograph record? Minute by minute, it logs the driver's activity in four modes — driving, other work, availability, and breaks or rest — plus speed, distance and card insertions. A smart tachograph adds satellite positions: where the daily working period starts and ends, and after every three hours of accumulated driving; version 2 also records each border crossing and each loading or unloading operation. Smart tachograph version 2 has been mandatory in newly registered vehicles since 21 August 2023; in international transport, older units had to be replaced by the end of 2024 (analogue and digital) and by August 2025 (smart version 1).
Operators must download the data at least every 90 days from the vehicle unit and every 28 days from the driver card, and keep it for at least 12 months. At a roadside check, drivers must be able to show their records for the current day and the previous 56 days. A TMS that reads tachograph data through telematics integrations shows planners each driver's remaining driving time without manual checks; to work out a single trip by hand, use the free driving-time calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a tachograph used for?
To prove that drivers comply with EU driving and rest time rules. Inspectors read the tachograph and driver card at roadside checks and company audits to verify the limits — at most 9 hours of driving a day (10 hours twice a week), 56 hours a week and 90 hours in two consecutive weeks — and the required breaks and rest periods.
What is the difference between an analogue, digital and smart tachograph?
Analogue tachographs record on paper charts, one per driver per day. Digital tachographs, mandatory in new vehicles from May 2006, store data in the vehicle unit and on a driver card. Smart tachographs, fitted to new vehicles from June 2019, add automatic satellite positions and remote communication with enforcement officers; version 2 also records border crossings and loading and unloading.
Does a van need a tachograph?
Since 1 July 2026, vans and other light commercial vehicles whose maximum permissible mass, including any trailer, exceeds 2.5 tonnes need a tachograph when used for international transport or cabotage, with some exemptions such as certain own-account transport. Vans used only for domestic work fall outside the EU obligation, although national rules may apply.
How long must tachograph data be kept?
Transport companies must keep the data downloaded from vehicle units and driver cards for at least 12 months. Separately, drivers must carry their records for the current day and the previous 56 days, so that they can be checked at the roadside.
See Tachograph in a real TMS
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