Which vehicles must be fitted with a smart tachograph?

Smart tachograph improves enforcement and speeds up registration

A tachograph records driving times, rest periods, vehicle speed and distance travelled. A smart tachograph also automatically registers when the vehicle crosses an international border. This means drivers no longer have to pull over at the border in order to manually enter the country code.

The smart tachograph makes it easier for the authorities to check whether drivers and companies are complying with the rules, for instance on driving times, breaks and rest periods.

Smart tachograph mandatory for new buses and lorries

The smart tachograph (Smart Tacho 2 or G2V2) is mandatory for: 

• buses and coaches capable of carrying more than eight passengers;
• commercial goods vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 3,500kg (maximum authorised mass of a vehicle when fully laden). 

From 1 July 2026: smart tachograph also mandatory for light commercial vehicles

From 1 July 2026 light commercial vehicles, such as vans or vehicles towing a trailer, will also have to be fitted with a smart tachograph (G2V2). This applies to:

• vehicles with a maximum authorised mass exceeding 2,500kg and vehicles towing a trailer with a gross train weight exceeding 2,500kg that are used in
• international road transport or: 
• cabotage operations. Cabotage is the transport of goods or passengers in another EU country by a company registered in the Netherlands. 

The maximum authorised mass is stipulated on the vehicle registration certificate (registration card). 
If these conditions apply to your vehicle, make an appointment with a certified garage or workshop to get a smart tachograph installed. Do this promptly. The tachograph requirement will apply to a lot of vehicles, so automotive dealers and garages will probably be very busy.

Exemptions from the tachograph requirement

Certain types of vehicles are exempted from the tachograph requirement. There are exemptions for:

• non-commercial vehicles with a maximum authorised mass not exceeding 7,500kg, such as camper vans and recreational vehicles;
• vehicles used by professionals to carry their work equipment, such as tools, provided these vehicles are used for no more than 12 hours a week (based on a 40-hour working week) and only within a 100km radius of the place of business; 
• fully electric vehicles and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles,
  • with a maximum authorised mass of 3,501 – 4,250kg, and
  • that are operated only in the Netherlands;
• vehicles with a maximum authorised mass of 2,501 – 3,500kg that are used solely for own-account purposes, provided transport is not the main activity of the driver or business in question.

Go to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) website to see the full list of national exemptions and international exemptions from the tachograph requirement (in Dutch only).

ILT monitors smart tachograph data

The ILT checks compliance with driving times and rest periods by reading the data recorded on the tachograph cards. The ILT also checks that the tachograph is being used correctly.

During a check, the data on the tachograph card is copied to the inspector’s computer. The data also stays on the card and in the tachograph. 

If your vehicle is not fitted with a smart tachograph and it does not fall under the exemptions, you can be fined by the ILT or the police. They can also revoke your transport licence.

Applying for and extending tachograph cards

On the Kiwa Register website, find out what types of tachograph cards are available and how you can apply for or extend the validity of a tachograph card. If your tachograph card is broken, stolen or lost, you can request a duplicate card from the Kiwa Register.

Questions?

If you have any questions, call 1400 or contact your trade association, such as Transport en Logistiek Nederland (TLN), evofenedex, RAI or BOVAG.