All new vehicles must now be fitted with a version 2 smart tachograph, so whether you undertake journeys in the UK or internationally, a new vehicle’s tachograph will be compliant. But if you don’t have a new vehicle, what kind of tachograph should you have? And by when? Here’s what you need to know…

International journeys: LGVs

If you travel outside the UK, your large goods vehicle should be fitted – or retrofitted – with a smart tachograph version 2. This is already required and has been the rule since 31 December 2024.

If your LGV is already fitted with a version 1 smart tachograph and you undertake international journeys, you must update this by retrofitting a smart tachograph version 2 by 18 August 2025.

International journeys: PCVs

Post-Brexit, journeys by UK passenger carrying vehicles are governed by AETR rules. Although similar to EU rules, AETR rules do not currently require PCVs to be fitted with a version 2 smart tachograph, so the use of a version 1 smart tachograph is still acceptable.

However, you should bear in mind that:

• Enforcement agencies outside the UK may not be aware that version 2 smart tachographs are not yet required for UK registered PCVs
• AETR rules may be changed in the near future to make version 2 smart tachographs compulsory for UK registered PCVs as well as LGVs.

Northern Ireland to Republic of Ireland:

 If you undertake an LGV journey between the UK/Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, you must have a version 2 smart tachograph. There has been a grace period for this, but enforcement was due to begin on 1 April 2025.

UK journeys only: LGVs and PCVs

If you only drive within the UK and your LGV or PCV is never driven outside UK borders, you are not required to update its tachograph, even if it is an analogue model.

Tachograph downloading and analysis

You must download your tachograph regularly and analyse the data. If your vehicle has a new version 2 smart tachograph, you may need to update your analysis solution or download tool to make sure they are compatible.

We have a range of tachograph download tools and tachograph data analysis solutions to help you comply.