Tachograph Requirements for Vans – What BVRLA Members Need to Know?

Tachograph rules are changing from 1 July 2026 for vans and LCVs over 2.5 tonnes up to 3.5 tonnes. These vehicles will now need a tachograph if they are on international journeys AND operating for hire and reward.

BVRLA members will need to work with their customers to identify vehicles that operate on these types of journeys.

It is important to note that operating for hire and reward requires the operator of the vehicle to be being paid in cash or kind to carry someone else's goods.

For example, if a band had hired a van from you to transport their equipment to gigs across Europe this would not be operating for hire and reward as they are transporting their own equipment.

There is no requirement to fit tachographs to vehicles under 3.5 tonnes GVW when operating solely within the UK.

Why is this changing?

The legislation change is being introduced as part of the EU Mobility Package, extending drivers’ hours rules to smaller vehicles engaged in cross-border commercial activity. From 1 July 2026 vans and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) with a Maximum Authorised Mass (MAM) between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes must be fitted with a Smart Tachograph 2 (G2V2) if they are:

Operating internationally within the EU, and
Used for hire and reward transport.

What does the change mean for members' customers?

For in-scope international hire and reward operations:

Vehicles must be fitted with a Smart Tachograph 2
Drivers mustcomply withEU drivers’ hours rules, including:
- Maximum 9 hours daily driving
- 45-minute break after 4.5 hours of driving
- Minimum 11 hours daily rest
Drivers must use a personal driver card
Operators must download and retain tachograph data (minimum 56 days) and ensure compliance

If your fleet includes vehicles that may operate internationally:

Review routes: Identify any cross-border EU activity
Identify vehicles: Focus on 2.5–3.5 tonne vehicles used for hire and reward
Plan ahead: Consider retrofit requirements for affected vehicles
Prepare systems: Ensure processes are in place for tachograph data management and compliance.

For further detail, members can refer to:
Approved tachograph centre special notice

Tachograph Requirements for Vans – What BVRLA Members Need to Know?

For further detail, members can refer to:Approved tachograph centre special notice

For further detail, members can refer to:
Approved tachograph centre special notice