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

Front Device Driver Update

The front download unit firmware can be updated directly through the TachoData application. Updates may include fixes and new features.

For the front download unit only

The firmware update feature is available exclusively for the TachoMI/AETRControl front download unit. Tachograph software cannot be updated through the application.

Prerequisites

The front device must be connected via Bluetooth to the phone
A stable internet connection is required to download the firmware
The front device battery must have sufficient charge
Do not interrupt the connection during the update

Update steps

Connect the front device via Bluetooth
Open the Front device firmware update menu in the application
The application will display the current version and the available version
If an update is available, tap the "Update" button
Wait for the update to download and install
The front device will restart automatically after the update

Version information

Current version

24.11.28.23

Available version

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Warning!

During the firmware update, do not turn off the front download unit and do not interrupt the Bluetooth connection. An interrupted update may cause the device to malfunction.