When do vehicles over 2.5 tonnes need a tachograph?

From 1 July 2026, vehicles exceeding 2.5 tonnes performing international freight transport in the EU must use a smart tachograph, as required by EU Regulation 2020/1054.

Which vehicles are affected by the 2.5 tonne tachograph rule?

All vehicles between 2.5 and 3.5 tonnes (vans, light trucks, flatbeds) used for international freight transport in the EU are affected. This includes Ford Transit, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Renault Master, and similar vehicles.

What app can I use to read my tachograph driver card?

TachoData is a mobile app for Android and iOS that reads your driver card via USB card reader, Bluetooth, or front download device. It provides infringement reports based on EU 561/2006, attendance sheets, and deadline tracking.

Do I need a tachograph for my van from July 2026?

Yes, if your van exceeds 2.5 tonnes gross mass and you perform international freight transport in the EU, you will need a smart tachograph installed and a valid driver card from 1 July 2026.

TachoData - Tachograph App for Drivers

The About screen is accessible from the application menu and contains the application version information, supported connection methods, regulatory compliance details, and developer information.

Application information

The About screen displays the following information:

Data	Description
Application version	The current version number of the TachoData application
Firmware version	The firmware version of the connected front download unit (if such a device is present)

Connection methods

The About screen shows which connection methods the application supports on your device:

USB card reader — card reading via USB-C connector
Front device — TachoMI / AETRControl front download unit via Bluetooth
Direct tachograph connection — Bluetooth pairing directly with the tachograph

Regulatory compliance

The TachoData application operates in compliance with the following European and international regulations and directives:

Regulation	Subject
561/2006/EC	Driving and rest time rules
2002/15/EC	Organisation of working time for road transport workers
165/2014/EU	Tachograph regulations
2016/799/EU	Technical requirements for tachographs
3821/85/EEC	Recording equipment in road transport (original regulation)
403/2016/EU	Supplement to Regulation 165/2014/EU
581/2010/EU, 1024/2012/EU	Download periods and data retention
1072/2009/EC, 1071/2009/EC	Conditions for access to the road transport market
TCA (EU-UK)	EU–United Kingdom Trade and Cooperation Agreement
AETR	European Agreement concerning the Work of Crews of Vehicles Engaged in International Road Transport
Guidelines 1–2, 7–9	European Commission interpretative guidelines
TRACE / TRACE II	Tachograph regulation working group documents

Developer

AETRControl Kft. (2010–2023)

TachoMI.hu Kft. (2023–2026)

Contact: Contact us →

Contact

On the About screen of the application, tapping the email button will open the phone's mail application directly. On the website you can also send a message via the Contact us form.