Regulation EU 165/2014 will introduce important changes to the tachograph regulations with the new year.
Two of the most relevant changes:
1- the obligation to install, for vehicles used in international transport, the new smart tachograph (so-called Gen2V2);
2- the extension to 56 days of the controllable activity period during a roadside check.
Second generation smart tachograph
From December 31, 2024, all vehicles with a mass over 3.5 t used for international transport must be equipped with Gen2V2 tachographs. These devices offer advanced features, such as recording loading and unloading operations, and will improve fleet management.
Extension of the controllable period to 56 Days
Another important change concerns the controllable period for tachographic activities. From December 31, 2024, drivers will need to be able to present activities related to the last 56 days during roadside checks.
Possible tolerance until 02/28/2024
Regarding the aforementioned obligation to replace tachographs, on 12/27/2024 the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport issued a circular clarifying that, following an agreement reached within the Road Transport Committee of DG-MOVE on 12/18/2024, it was decided to adopt a 2-month educational learning period on the provision regarding the obligation to retrofit vehicles lacking a second-generation smart tachograph.
Therefore, until February 28, 2025, highway police officers as well as local police authorities are invited to refrain from contesting the violation in the case of checking a vehicle used in international transport that is found not to yet have a Gen2V2 tachograph.
It should be noted that, contrary to what happened with the emergency situation of 2023, where ministerial circulars extended the entry into force of the new Gen2 V2 tachograph for newly registered vehicles due to insufficient production for the market, in this case, there is no similar emergency situation.
For this reason, industry operators are encouraged to rely on the legal deadline, currently still set for 12/31/2024.