Tachographs for international goods transport with vehicles with a maximum permissible weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes

From 1 July 2026, an important change will apply at European level to commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes used in international road haulage.

From 1 July 2026, these vehicles must be equipped with a latest-generation intelligent tachograph (G2V2) and comply with driving and rest time regulations in international transport, but only if the transport is carried out on behalf of another party.

These obligations are based on Regulations (EC) No 561/2006(1) on the tachograph requirement and (EU) No 165/2014(2) on driving and rest time regulations.

Affected companies are requested to take note of these deadlines at an early stage in order to ensure compliance with the regulations by their vehicle fleets and to avoid problems during international roadside checks.

In these FAQs, the term "vehicle" is used to refer to vehicles with a gross vehicle weight between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes.

When must a vehicle with a maximum permissible weight between 2.5 tonnes and 3.5 tonnes be equipped with a tachograph?

The vehicle must be equipped with a latest-generation intelligent tachograph (G2V2) if all of the following conditions are met:

  • The vehicle is used for international road haulage.
  • The transport is carried out for third parties.

When is transport carried out for third parties?

Transport for third parties is the transport of goods for third parties in return for payment. In other words, it is transport carried out for a third-party customer in return for payment and not for the company's own needs.

Any transport for the company's or driver's own account, where driving is not the main activity of the person driving, is excluded.

Which tachograph must be installed in vehicles?

The vehicles concerned must be equipped with a latest-generation intelligent tachograph (G2V2) in accordance with the above-mentioned Regulation (EU) No 165/2014.

What about deliveries of companies' own products sold?

The transport of goods sold to their customers constitutes transport activity in the company's own name, provided that driving the vehicle is not the main activity of the person driving the vehicle.

What about a private individual who provides occasional assistance to a third party in connection with a move and receives a benefit or gratuity in return?

The term "remuneration" is to be understood in the narrower sense. Since no invoice was issued or financial consideration was provided for the assistance rendered, this cannot be considered transport on behalf of a third party.

 

What should I do if I have further questions?

Please send any further questions in writing to the following email address: tachy@mmtp.etat.lu.

If you have any questions about using the smart tachograph, the Customs and Excise Administration (Administration des douanes et accises) provides a regularly updated brochure(3) in French on its website.

Regulations and information in French:

(1) Règlement (CE) n° 561/2006 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 15 mars 2006 relatif à l’harmonisation de certaines dispositions de la législation sociale dans le domaine des transports par route, modifiant les règlements (CEE) n° 3821/85 et (CE) n° 2135/98 du Conseil et abrogeant le règlement (CEE) n° 3820/85 du Conseil | eur-lex.europa.eu

(2) Règlement (UE) n° 165/2014 du Parlement européen et du Conseil du 4 février 2014 relatif aux tachygraphes dans les transports routiers, abrogeant le règlement (CEE) n° 3821/85 du Conseil concernant l’appareil de contrôle dans le domaine des transports par route et modifiant le règlement (CE) n° 561/2006 du Parlement européen et du Conseil relatif à l’harmonisation de certaines dispositions de la législation sociale dans le domaine des transports par route | eur-lex.europa.eu

(3) Le tachygraphe digital intelligent - La législation sociale dans les transports routiers | douanes.public.lu

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