The digital tachograph is mandatory in vehicles over 3,500 kg. Here is what it records, what a driver card is, what you have to enter manually — and the new EU deadlines for the second-generation smart tachograph.
Introduction
A tachograph records driving time, rest time, breaks, speed and distance travelled. It is the technical proof that you comply with the driving and rest time rules in EU Regulation 561/2006. The tachograph requirement is older than the digital tachograph (Regulation 3821/85); since 1 May 2006 vehicles put into service for the first time must have a digital tachograph (Regulation 2135/98 art. 2, as amended by 561/2006 art. 27 and 29).
Smart tachograph 2nd generation
Since 21 August 2023, new lorries over 3.5 t must have smart tachograph 2nd generation installed. Smart tachograph 2 communicates digitally with authorities at roadside checks (ITS communication) and automatically records border crossings and ferry/train journeys.
| Tachograph type | Deadline for international transport | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Analog/digital (non-smart) | Should be replaced with smart tachograph 2 by 31 Dec 2024 | EU 165/2014; Europa-Kommissionen 19.08.2025 |
| Smart tachograph 1st generation | Upgrade to smart tachograph 2 by 18 Aug. 2025 at the latest | EU 165/2014; Europa-Kommissionen 19.08.2025 |
| Commercial vehicles 2.5–3.5 t (international) | Smart tachograph 2 from 1 July 2026 | Vejpakken / EU 561/2006 + 165/2014; Færdselsstyrelsen 27.03.2026 |
The driver's license
You must have a personal EU driving card to drive with a digital tachograph. The card is inserted into the device's opening, and your data is stored encrypted — authorities can download data for the current day and the preceding 56 days during a check (expanded from 28 days as of 31 December 2024, see Regulation 165/2014 art. 36). If the card is forgotten, damaged or missing, there are special rules for manual printouts and notes.
Manual entries
- 01Driving without tachograph (e.g. mechanical fault): write date, location and activity separately.
- 02Border crosser: smart tachograph 2 records automatically; older devices require manual entry.
- 03Dismounting from vehicle: record activity (break, work, availability) correctly.
- 04Double-crewing: both driver cards inserted from the start of the journey.
The four activities and their symbols
The tachograph always records one of four activities for the driver. You change activity manually with the control button — except 'driving', which starts automatically when the vehicle moves. The symbols are the same throughout the EU:
| Symbol | Activity | When |
|---|---|---|
| Rat | Driving | Automatic when the vehicle is running |
| Kryds/hammer | Other work | Reading, load securing, paperwork, inspection |
| square | Availability time | Waiting time, ferry, where you do not control the time |
| Seng/liggestol | Break / rest | 45-minute break, daily rest, weekly rest |
During inspection, the activities must match: if you loaded for an hour but registered it as rest, it is a violation. Therefore, change activity whenever you move from the steering wheel to other work or break.
Members only
The rest of the article is locked
Create a free user account to unlock all articles, calculators, templates and range — and get access to quizzes and classes. It takes less than a minute: name, email and a password. No payment card.
Want to try something first? See what you can use without an account — the junior zone, the encyclopedia, the videos and more.