Logistics UK issues smart tachograph update

Logistics UK has provided guidance on recent and forthcoming changes to the tachograph landscape, including the required rollout of smart tachographs in some light commercial vehicles.

“Since 19 August 2025, UK heavy goods vehicles (HGV) on international journeys have had to use smart tachograph 2 (ST2) and from July 2026, light commercial vehicles (LCV) over 2.5t will need to follow the same requirements,” said Logistics UK’s head of compliance information, Martin Candish.

“Building on smart tachograph 1 (ST1), the newer ST2 technology is designed to meet the increased demand for accuracy and reporting under EU Regulations. ST2 also has improved fraud protection to prevent tampering…

“Smart tachograph 2 (ST2)… requires the tachograph to provide additional information capability including: automatic recording of country border crossing; recording of position at loading and unloading activities; recording whether the vehicle is used for carriage of goods or passengers; [and] an independent internal motion sensor to detect ‘motion conflict’ from other motion indicating sources.

“The additional data supports monitoring and enforcement of additional transport legislation, namely cabotage and posting of workers directive.”

There is also the ability for authorities to utilise new Dedicated Short Range Communications (DSRC) technology to capture data remotely from moving vehicles, adds Martin, so there is less need to stop a vehicle and delay journeys.

“Violations that can be picked up by authorities using Remote Tachograph Sensing Equipment (RTSE) include potentially serious issues around security breaches, tampering, vehicle motion conflict, data error and sensor faults,” he continued.

“If no issues are found, the data is deleted within three hours of being downloaded.

“The new technology is designed to stop the most serious offenders so compliant operators should not be worried about these changes. Operators should, however, reassure drivers that this technology is for their benefit and should mean good operators are stopped on fewer occasions.”

Despite improvements that the new technology is expected to provide, there have been some reports of teething problems, says Martin – for example technical issues with the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

“In some cases, it has meant there have been instances of vehicles being recorded in the wrong countries or being shown to cross borders that do not exist, and more recently GNSS outages have been experienced in central and northern Europe.

“Logistics UK is continually monitoring our members’ experiences to confirm that these initial technical problems are fixed to ensure drivers and operators can function with confidence and benefit from the significant investments they have made updating their fleets.

“Fortunately, irregularities and technical errors with the system are not considered to be the fault of the driver, however roadside inspections can be stressful for drivers where technical irregularities are found.

“This can increase disruption and distress, so it is essential that drivers are trained on correct use of the tachograph, understand the current legislation and know what to do if there are technical problems such as security breach error codes.

“This will mean that drivers can produce all the necessary records correctly at the time of inspection, so it goes as smoothly as possible, and they can return to their journey with minimal inconvenience.” 

Martin added: “From 1 July 2026, Smart 2 tachographs will also be mandatory for all LCVs on international work. This will affect operators in Northern Ireland with vehicles exceeding 2.5t entering the Republic of Ireland which will need to have a ST2 installed.

“All operators that conduct international journeys should check to see if they fall under the regulations. To avoid problems, they should conduct a review of journeys, vehicles and drivers to ensure compliance. Logistics UK can provide assistance and advice for members, including offering audits, training and support including material such as our smart tachograph briefing notes, publications such as the Yearbook of Road Transport Law and events including the Transport Manager series of conferences.”

The conference programme has begun and runs till December. Details are at:
logistics.org.uk/transport-manager