In the landscape of road transport regulation, the exemption from the tachograph represents an important opportunity for certain categories of vehicles and drivers. Knowing the requirements is essential to operate in compliance with regulations.
What does the tachograph exemption consist of?
The tachograph exemption consists of the possibility of not equipping a vehicle with a device for recording driving and rest times. It is a derogation from the general provisions governing professional road transport, granted to specific categories of vehicles and activities.
Exempt categories
Throughout Europe
- Line vehicles for the transport of people (buses) that make a route WITHIN 50km.
- Vehicles (up to 7.5T) operating WITHIN 100 km that transport tools used for carrying out the MAIN activity of the company itself (e.g.: gardening business).
- Tow trucks operating WITHIN 100 km from the base (any weight).
- Vehicles for the NON-commercial transport of goods (up to 7.5T).
- Vehicles with a MAXIMUM speed of 40 km/h (any weight).
- Vehicles for public order, armed forces, fire brigades, civil protection.
- Historic vehicles used for the NON-commercial transport of people or goods.
- Vehicles used for humanitarian aid operations and/or in emergency situations.
- Special vehicles designated for medical uses (any weight).
- Vehicles up to 3.5T used for commercial transport (for one's own account), but ONLY IF driven by someone whose main work activity is NOT driving.
Only in Italy
- Postal vehicles operating WITHIN 100 km from the base (up to 7.5T).
Vehicles employed for:
- Sewer services and septic tank emptying.
- Maintenance services for the water network, electrical network, gas network.
- Flood protection services.
- Maintenance and control services for the road network.
- Broadcasting, television, telephone, telegraph services.
- Services for detecting radio or TV broadcasters/receivers.
- Vehicles designated for urban sanitation ONLY for the collection of waste and transport to the nearest collection center, NOT for transport from one center (of collection or disposal) to another (in this case it becomes commercial transport and no longer a public service).
- Vehicles transporting materials for circuses and amusement parks.
- Vehicles designated for milk collection on farms, and the subsequent return of containers (or the return to farms of products, always based on milk, intended ONLY for ANIMAL feed).
- Vehicles of driving schools (e.g.: buses) but NOT used for commercial transport.
Conclusion
The exemption from the tachograph may concern different categories of road transport operators. However, it is important to remember that it is subject to specific requirements. For more information and assistance, it is advisable to consult a professional expert in road transport.