Regulation (EU) 2020/1054, which was adopted by the EU in July 2020 included changes to drivers' hours rules and also confirmed the implementation periods for the second generation of smart tachographs (Smart Tachograph 2)

Article 2 of (EU) 2020/1054 amended (EU) 165/2014 on tachographs in road transport

As a result the EU Commission is tasked with preparing an Implementing Act governing version two of the smart tachograph within 12 months of the entry into force of the new rules. This should therefore be in place by September 2021

When this implementating act is in place the following dates will be confirmed:

• Smart Tachograph 2 in be required in all new vehicles - 24 months after the entry into force of the Implementing Act (September 2023)
• Vehicles with Analogue and Digital tachographs used for international journeys must be retrofitted to Smart Tachograph 2– 36 months after entry into force of the Implementing Act (September 2024)
• Vehicles fitted with Smart Tachograph 1 used for international journeys must be retrofitted to Smart Tachograph 2– 48 months after entry into force of the Implementing Act (September 2025)

Readers should be aware that these dates are dependant on the relevant legislation being in place by September 2021, and therefore may potentially be amended in the future