Conformité & Obligations

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tachograph regulations

Download obligations, frequencies, penalties, tachograph types... Find answers to the most common questions from transport operators.

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CE 561/2006 CE 165/2014 CE 403/2016 CE 694/2022 Smart Tacho Gen 2 Directive 2002/15/CE
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Les points clés de la réglementation

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Download frequency

The vehicle tachograph must be downloaded every 90 days maximum. The driver card must be downloaded every 28 days maximum. These deadlines are mandatory and any breach constitutes an offence.

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Data retention

Tachograph data must be retained for a minimum of 365 days (1 year). In practice, it is recommended to retain data for 2 years to cover the limitation periods for road offences.

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Penalties for non-compliance

Violations of tachograph regulations can result in fines of up to €15,000 per offence, vehicle impoundment, suspension of the transport certificate, and even criminal prosecution for repeat offenders.

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Vehicles concerned

A tachograph is mandatory for: goods vehicles with a gross vehicle weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes, and passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats (including the driver) operating services over 50 km.

Questions fréquentes

FAQ Réglementation

Affected vehicles include: goods vehicles with a gross weight exceeding 3.5 tonnes, and passenger vehicles with more than 9 seats (including the driver) travelling more than 50 km. Vehicles operating exclusively within a 100 km radius of their base may benefit from exemptions.
Regulation (EU) No 165/2014 sets the following frequencies: vehicle tachograph = every 90 days maximum, driver card = every 28 days maximum. These periods run from the last download. An automatic system like those from TACHOSAFE guarantees compliance with these frequencies.
The legal retention period is a minimum of 365 days. However, it is strongly advised to retain data for 24 months to cover all applicable limitation periods. Data must be readily accessible in the event of an inspection.
Penalties vary depending on severity: failure to download = fine from €1,500 to €15,000, manipulation or falsification of the tachograph = criminal offence that may lead to prosecution, serious or very serious infringement = suspension or withdrawal of the transport certificate.
The analogue tachograph (paper discs) has been obsolete since 2006. The digital tachograph (generation 1 & 2) records data on a smart card and internal memory. The Smart Tachograph (Gen 1 since 2019, Gen 2 since 2023) adds GNSS location and remote communication, enabling roadside checks without physical interception.
The Smart Tachograph Gen 2 is mandatory for all vehicles registered after 21 August 2023 carrying out international transport. Vehicles equipped with a first-generation tachograph must be retrofitted before 31 December 2024 (international transport) or 2025 (domestic).
The ERRU (European Register of Road transport Undertakings) is the European register of transport companies. Each serious infringement is recorded and contributes to the company's risk score. Too high a score can result in loss of good repute and a ban from operating throughout the European Union.
Regulation EC 561/2006 sets: maximum daily driving time = 9h (extendable to 10h twice a week), maximum weekly driving time = 56h, maximum fortnightly driving time = 90h, mandatory break after 4h30 of driving = 45 minutes (or 15 min + 30 min), minimum daily rest = 11h (or split rest of 3h + 9h).

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